Rebuilding Hydraulic Cylinder

[Snotter]

My new-to-me boat has a real nasty hydraulic leak which requires me to use an oil boom in the bildge. I am leaking about 1 quart of hydraulic fluid every 2-3 weeks out of the steering ram on my Morgan 41 Out Island. I've located where to buy the rebuild kits for my Hynautic K-X ram. My question to the group: should I rebuild the unit or should I send it out to the professionals?

I use to rebuild pneumatic cylinders as a young man and remember what a pain it was to dig out all those friggen o-rings. I don't have any specialized tools and am concerned I may nick a bedding surface if I run into a stubborn seal. Also, the bolts on the tie rods of the cylinder are recessed. I don't see how to loosen the tie rods without using a vice-grip clamped on the rods which would mar them. I can afford to have the professionals do it but that would mean the boat would be out of service for two weeks or so. (I would still have to bring the cylinder into them which is no biggie. They would then ship it to Birmingham to have it rebuilt. They recommended that I go ahead and purchase the rebuild kit for them to use.) This is a great time for sailing in Northern AL. I don't like the thought of my boat being dead in the slip.

 

[rmouton]

as a mechanic for a golf course with numerous size hyd cyl,i rarely have a seal kit work good,depends on the condition of the cyl/piston. some times it is only one internal seal that finally gave out. yes they are a pain on getting them off and on. most of the time i bite the bullet and buy a new one . just like you, i cannot afford to have it blow out and ruin my day . cyl are not cheap ,so is the fee for tow becauce you cannot steer.

 

[cd30ketch]

Do it your self

I have a business where we rebuild a lot of hydraulic cylinders. I would say try to rebuild it yourself. If it looks like you are going to booger something up, stop. A lot of time the rod end does not need to come off. Remove the gland (head) and pull the cylinder apart. You should find that the piston will un-bolt from the rod and the rod then removed from the gland. Look up the nearest hydraulic shop and take them your old seals and they should be able to match them up.
Remember that wherever there is an engineer there is yet another way to build something. Look carefully at how the head comes off. Some have a locking wire in a slot on the barrel near the head. Some are threaded, etc. If you can get the head off you have won the battle.
Kevin

 

[sailingdog]

What is the price difference between buying a new cylinder and having them rebuild the old one? If it isn't too much money, it might be worth getting a new one instead. Then you might want to try and re-build the old one as a backup.

 

[Snotter]

It would be nice if I could rebuild the cylinder without taking the tie rods off, but I don't think it is possible. I've attached a blow-up diagram...

 

[Harold]

check the outer barrel closely at the end where the piston is in the extened position side pressure often causes the barrel to elongate sometimes new seals won't hold the pressure in this area other than that you shouldn't have any problems good luck

 

[Ray T]

hydraulic cyl. rebuild

I would recommend you buy the kit make some arrangement with the folks in Birmingham so you could drop it off in the morning have lunch, do some shopping and pick it up in the afternoon. I have rebuilt quite a few hyd cyl and it doesn't look particularly difficult. what I would question is the seals in the packing gland. These seals can be a real pita. That is why I recommend going to Birmingham. Incidentally any competent mechanic in a fork truck or tractor repair shop should be able to rebuild this. Good luck, Ray T

 

[larryw]

In our biz, we use a lot of hydaulic presses. It's worth it to have a pro do it 'cause when it goes FUBAR, you're not the one on the line. Look for a place that rebuilds jacks or something similar.

 

[Snotter]

I've decided to purchase the kit and to take both

the kit and the cylinder to Decatur Alabama in mid Nov. Motion Industries will then send it to their main site in Birmingham to rebuild it. Hopefuly, I will have the cylinder back in the boat by December. Thank you all for your remarks.