It happened: Your hydraulic cylinder failed and now you’re wondering how to rebuild it, how much it’ll cost, and what’s needed to get the job done. Maybe it’s a significant leak that’s caused it to fail or it’s just old. Whatever the case, rebuilding a hydraulic cylinder isn’t impossible and can even be cost effective.
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<p><a href="https://intellaparts.com/blog/how-to-rebuild-a-hydraulic-cylinder/"><img src="https://intellaparts.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Intella-How-to-Rebuild-a-Hydraulic-Cylinder-v2-scaled.jpg" alt="How to Rebuild a Hydraulic Cylinder"</a></p>
Outline:
- Tools Required
- a. Seal Replacement Kit
- b. Rubber Mallet
- c. Screwdriver
- d. Spanner Wrench
- e. Allen Wrenches
- f. Punch
- g. Pliers
- h. Emery Cloth
- i. Torque Wrench
- 2. Rebuilding a Wire Ring Hydraulic Cylinder
- a. Remove cylinder from machinery
- b. Remove wire ring
- c. Using the rubber mallet, push head into tube until tube groove is exposed, allowing for the internal ring to be removed
- d. Straighten out plastic ring and insert into the tube groove, feathered side in, until the ring fits into the groove
- (try again if not fully in the groove)
- e. Draw out the rod to pull the head from the tube
- (if there’s resistance, push back in and ensure the ring is set in the groove properly)
- f. Remove the removal ring and then the locknut, piston, and head.
- From this point, remove seals and replace using the seal kit
- Inspect inside the rod and other parts for scratches and smooth with the cloth
- Replace the piston and locknut if necessary
- 3. Rebuilding a Threaded Hydraulic Cylinder
- a. Loosen screw and the end cap
- b. Remove the piston, rod, and gland
- c. Slide the assembly & end cap off
- d. Inspect and replace the seals as necessary
- Replace damaged parts as needed
- e. Once the seals and interior of the tube are lubed with hydraulic oil, the gland assembly can be replaced.
- f. Use loctite anti-seize before adding the end cap and tightening the cylinder


References:
https://www.yatesind.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-rebuild-a-hydraulic-cylinder
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oz2JgT5T1A
https://www.diesellaptops.com/blogs/news/repacking-a-hydraulic-cylinder-a-step-by-step-guide
https://mac-hyd.com/blog/how-to-repair-a-hydraulic-cylinder/