Rebuilding the cylinder on my hoe stick

[EddieWalker]

Thought I'd share some pics on my latest repair.

I have a 1998 Ford/New Holland 555E Loader Backhoe. The first cylinder on the hoe stick started leaking a few weeks ago and has been getting progressively worse.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

Hopefully you can see the fluid leaking from the seals along the top of the cylinder. This is at rest with the engine off, it's still leaking. When I'm using it, the fluid is just running out.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

This is only the third cylinder on the backhoe to go bad on me, but I've rebuilt five on my dozer. I've gone through a trial and error process to get to this point.

Getting the right tool to take off the ends was a huge pluss. This one came from Case and cost $80. My original 3/4 inch breaker bar was a Harbor Freight model. Cheap, but not very strong. I twisted the drive on it trying to get a previous cylinder off.

This breaker bar is a Proto. It will handle a one inch pipe for added leverage without any problems.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

I learned the hard way that it's much easier to get them apart when still attached. Once the end cap is loose, I can take out the pin holding the piston end. The other end will stay on.

Since this pin is also holding on the next cylinder, I left it in to supppor that cylinder.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

The hydraulic lines have to be disconnected to relieve the preasure on the piston. Otherwise, it will never come out. Don't ask how I learned this one. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

Even with the hydralic lines off and no oil preasure, I couldn't pull the piston out. Just too heavy, so I attached a come-along to pull it out.

Eddie

 

[EddieWalker]

It's much heavier than I expected. Easily over 100 pounds.

I put one end in the vise and support it with a ladder. This seems to be the best way to hold it that I've come up with.

Eddie

 

[SkyPup]

Yikes, that is heavy duty and too much work for the tools I have, I'd have to replace it or have someone else rebuild it for me.

 

[EddieWalker]

You can see at least part of the problem in this picture. I'm sure the other gaskets are worn out too.

There's a nut ont the end that holds the piston on. My biggest socket is 1 11/16 and it's too small. My tape measures it to be 1 15/16, so I'm off to buy another expesive socket that will probably never get used again. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Eddie

 

[slowrev]

Eddie, I have just used the hyfraulic pressure to blow the piston out.
Sort of messy but works /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Ben