Bobcat 643 cylinder leak

Shortbed70 · Mar 31, 2012

Was using my 85 643 bobcat and my tilt cylinder sprung a leak on the back side by some sort of clip looking thing. What do I do to fix? Pull apart and rebuild or what. Need help fast!!!!!

Shortbed70 · Mar 31, 2012

Here's where!

SSdoxie · Mar 31, 2012

That is the retainer ring for the cylinder head. Leaking oil from there means you have a seal leaking. Should be able to reseal it with no problem.

Shortbed70 · Mar 31, 2012

That's what I was figuring so now it's time to face the fact this jobs a bust!! Dangit! Thanks man! Are there any tricks to taking it apart? I can get a reseal kit or like $12 so if I can do it myself ka-Ching

dfkrug · Mar 31, 2012

Shortbed70 said:
Are there any tricks to taking it apart?

Yeah, there are a few tricks to remove the wire-retained gland:

First, stick a small screwdriver under the the middle of the exposed
piece of wire. This will tell you which end goes into the cylinder, and
which end is free. Use the screw driver to hold the free end up out
of the slot.

Now you are going to rotate the gland (cylinder cap) in the direction
that the free end of the wire points. Do this after removing the hoses,
but not necessarily after removing the whole cylinder. Keeping the
cyl installed on the SS is a good way to hold it. Or, you can use a
vise.

When you rotate the gland, you can use a pipewrench, as I show in
the photo, if you don't care about teeth marks. Or you can use a pin
wrench, or other methods. It will usually not be super hard to turn.

After you rotate the gland about 320 degrees or so, the wire will have
miraculously come out of the slot. When the wire is out, the gland
should come straight off, but you may need to use the rod/piston
as a "slide-hammer".

Go slow and report back.

Shortbed70 · Mar 31, 2012

Thanks man for the info... Think I'm just gonna drop it off at the shop Monday and let them play with it.... Just more money out I pocket.

Shortbed70 · Apr 3, 2012

Now I'm upset they said its possible the shaft is slightly bent and asked if I was sure it was a 643 and they don't have the seal kit so the place is taking elswhere to try and fix it!!!!! GREAT! So anybody know best place to get a new cylinder???

dfkrug · Apr 3, 2012

Shortbed70 said:
Now I'm upset they said its possible the shaft is slightly bent and asked if I was sure it was a 643 and they don't have the seal kit so the place is taking elswhere to try and fix it!!!!! GREAT! So anybody know best place to get a new cylinder???

Possible that it is slightly bent? It is or it ain't. Easy to see with
a straightedge. And fixable. I've done it.

Any decent hydraulics shop should be able to take apart the cyl,
measure the seals, order new ones based on size, straighten the rod,
and assemble. No need for a Bobcat kit.

Shortbed70 · Apr 3, 2012

I agree but I'm just seein a $170 rebuild going to a $400 repair... Oh well I guess. Not like the $30 tonka toys I used to play with lol...

nelso1 · Jun 4, 2012

Consider yourself lucky. Bobcat said they would look at fixing my leaking cylinders. They replaced seals that were new as of less than a year ago, removed the lift spool and resealed, said the lift check valves were okay and determined the control valve needs replaced - a $2000 replacement. I think the control valve ordeal needs a second and/or third opinion. Total bill for not fixing the problem - $1300 (includes $300 pick-up and delivery and $130 in service materials). So about nine hundred bucks to not fix the problem.