Autohelm hydraulic issue

[CaptWil]

HI

I am running a refurbished AP100 computer with a type 1 pump and a ram mounted on the cable driven rudder quadrant

The hydraulic plumbing system include a manual bypass between the pump and the ram via T junction to the center cockpit pedestal

My problem lies with the stiffness turning the wheel at the pedestal when the bypass is opened, to return to manual steering. If I remove the ram arm from the quadrant, the wheel spins without any effort

The Autopilot works fine when the bypass is closed with -10 and +10 etc

I cannot read the sticker to identify the type of hydraulic ram; it seems to have a weird clear tube with some air bubbles between the 2 T joints on the ram intake and outlet. I have tried to bleed the system from the bypass drain plug but no difference in the stiffness of wheel turning manually... I replaced all the fluid, no difference...

Any ideas?

Regards
Will

[CaptWil]

Any1 can suggest a solution short of replacing the autopilot system?

[belizesailor]

Has the system ever steered easily or is this a new development?

The clear tubing appears to be connected to bleeder nuts. Thats normallý where you bleed the system.

[Emmalina]

Yep the clear tube has been left to stop drips after bleeding. As for the stifness ? are you sure the bypass opens alll the way ?

[CaptWil]

Thanks guys for the replies
When I bought the boat last year, I did notice the steering was a little heavy
Now it make sense the clear tube is not really supposed to be left there, but a good idea I guess for drips
So I followed Raymarine instructions on bleeding the ram and the pump
The stiffness in turning the wheel with the manual bypass open seems to have eased a little (wife is not complaining as much lol)
I'll take her out sailing in a few days and we shall see if it's better overall
I think I will also install the correct solenoid activated bypass as my next move
Kind regards
Will