Backhoe Swing Cylinder Rebuild

[Nick350]

Wanted to share this video to help anyone who might be thinking about doing a swing cylinder rebuild on a backhoe themselves. It was an intimidating job that ended up being nowhere near as bad as expected.

I am working on my 98 Ford / New Holland 555E in this video, I hope this helps!

 

[buckeyefarmer]

I need to fix leaking boom cylinder.

 

[Nick350]

I need to fix leaking boom cylinder.

Depending on what size machine it is off of that should be do-able if you are handy.

In the below video I rebuild a stabilizer cylinder on my backhoe, which is the same concept as a boom cylinder just different removal from the machine. You rebuild them all pretty much the same once they are off but the swing cylinders are rebuilt without removing so less good of an example.

One issue I have run into with larger cylinders is disassembly, the caps can by very tight and the gland bolts also have high torque specs. I have had a bucket lift cylinder that I was unable to open and went to the hydraulic shop in town and they removed the cap and broke the bolt free for $70 and then I rebuilt it myself.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Depending on what size machine it is off of that should be do-able if you are handy.

In the below video I rebuild a stabilizer cylinder on my backhoe, which is the same concept as a boom cylinder just different removal from the machine. You rebuild them all pretty much the same once they are off but the swing cylinders are rebuilt without removing so less good of an example.

One issue I have run into with larger cylinders is disassembly, the caps can by very tight and the gland bolts also have high torque specs. I have had a bucket lift cylinder that I was unable to open and went to the hydraulic shop in town and they removed the cap and broke the bolt free for $70 and then I rebuilt it myself.

I used a 4' pipe wrench with an 8' cheater pipe with near 300 lbs on it and it finally broke loose. Didn't cost anything though.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Mine leaked new, dealer(not local) would have fixed free if I took it to them. I procrastinated.

 

[Nick350]

I used a 4' pipe wrench with an 8' cheater pipe with near 300 lbs on it and it finally broke loose. Didn't cost anything though.

I feel you there. If you see the cover of second video we have a 4ft pipe wrench with a 10ft galvanized pipe as a cheater bar. Then used the tractor bucket as a brace to keep it from rolling off the face. Still didn't pop free so that one went the shop to get opened.

 

[franklin2]

I never pull the cylinders completely off. I have rebuilt 5 or 6 of them already on my 480C. One more is coming up, one of the stabilizers, I have already rebuilt the other one.

First thing I do is take the cylinder/rod end loose from the machine. And then extend it all the way out. This minimizes the oil mess as much as possible. I also tilt it up at a slight angle, also to minimize the mess.

Next taking the gland loose, a trick I learned on another forum is to take a hammer and give the cylinder some heavy taps all around the end where the gland is. This will help loosen it up. Mine has little lock screws in them so take them out if you have them. The gland should spin right out.

Then I get a truck or some other unmovable object and set it up with a come-along on the cylinder rod. I put a couple of card board boxes under the end of the cylinder, and then start pulling the rod/piston out. When it comes out it will fall hopefully on the cardboard boxes to prevent any dings.

The hardest part for me has been getting the large nut loose that holds the piston on the rod. I have had to go twice now to a large truck shop and get them to take it loose with one of their large impacts. The factory spec on mine is 700 ftlbs.