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couple ?s on hydraulic steering fuild

T

TheBrain

Regular Contributor

​

Alternative to Seastar hydraulic steering fuild.

I’m replacing my hydraulic tubes 20’ each.

When I installed my Seastar hydraulic steering sys. Some ten years ago I purchased three quarts of aircraft hydraulic fluid color is red.can’t remember the brand name came in unmarked container.ordered from a aircraft place.



For the Helm hub/20’X2 of line an ram cylinder I only used two quarts .3rd quart is still sealed unopened in plastic bottle an stowed in cuddy bin.

1.doe’s this fuild have a shelf life? If yes how long?

2. can different name brands be mixed.

I’d like to try the Mercury Quicksilver 858075Q01 Power Trim and Steering Fluid​

Like I can purchase two quarts for the price of one quart of Seastar.



Edit: during my transom rebuild a lot of fluid leaked out removing an storing ram so I’m thinking minium two quarts. Thanks for advise
 
MIL-5606C is the spec number for the hydraulic fluid...

Good old DEXRON ATF works fine...just change is every 5 years or so and you wont have any problems...and if you switch to plain ATF, its always a good idea to flush out the old stuff first...
 
makomark said:
MIL-5606C is the spec number for the hydraulic fluid...

Good old DEXRON ATF works fine...just change is every 5 years or so and you wont have any problems...and if you switch to plain ATF, its always a good idea to flush out the old stuff first...
Click to expand...
what version of dexron? so is the stuff I have stale? the aircraft fluid was red when added when it leaked out during removal it turned yellowish.

I hate to admit it but during the ram removal when disconnecting the line I was using two wrenchs long story short I kindof twisted one tube. the tubes are still in good shape even though I twisted one tube.

thats why I was gonna swap cables.sure would be easier to just swap the fluid. but realy dont want to be stranded out to sea.
so is this mercury fliud the MIL-5606C?
thanks Makomark
 
I think there are newer versions of the mil spec. It's just aircraft grade hydraulic oil (very clean).

I can't say I have ever seen it yellow...my guess is water contamination..

If you twisted the plastic to where it kinked, you need to cut out the bad part...a good hydraulic shop can make you a short hose to replace it..

I doubt the merc fluid meets the mil spec...my guess is it's their version of power steering fluid.

I haven't kept up with the current version of dexron fluids...last bottle I bought was just plain dexron...the mobil 1 synthic atf is my preference...
 
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