Is cylinder repair a do it your self job?

[ultrarunner]

Last week I noticed the left angle cylinder on my D3 Dozer is leaking... not much, but 2 drops a minute.

My questions are:

1. Is this a do-it-yourself project?
2. What is the conventional wisdom on repair vs replace?
3. Any idea about how much this will cost for parts vs repair?
4. Would I be better off going to an independent or my CAT Dealer?

 

[6sunset6]

I tried to repair the dipper stick cylinder on my hoe . two of us got it down but there was no way we could get the nut off the end of the cylinder. Finally brought it in to the dealer.
I would suggest taking off and bringing it in. Cost more but less hassle.
But then I guess it depends on the size of the cylinder.

 

[Jimbrown]

Well I am with 6sunset it is no big deal, simple O rings ect. IF - IF you can get the thing apart. Give it a try and if not take it somewhere. I used to live in Hawks prarie

 

[ultrarunner]

I've never attempted to take a cylinder apart. This one is good size compared to anything on my Kubota, but it is not so big that I shouldn't be able to take it off.

Jim, you wouldn't recognize Hawks Prairie today if you haven't been here for a year or two. We now have a couple of Home Depots less than 10 miles apart and a Lowes in the middle. It really is a beautiful corner of the country.

I'm hoping to stay, but right now my Property Tax Assessment increased 80% in one year... so who knows if I have a future here...

 

[Reg]

Last week I noticed the left angle cylinder on my D3 Dozer is leaking... not much, but 2 drops a minute.

My questions are:

1. Is this a do-it-yourself project?
2. What is the conventional wisdom on repair vs replace?
3. Any idea about how much this will cost for parts vs repair?
4. Would I be better off going to an independent or my CAT Dealer?

I repaired a 5 inch bore by 24 inch stroke log splitter cylinder with no special tools and very little knowledge. I'd suggest taking it apart to see what shape the seals are in. If you do this for WORK and can't afford the down time it would probably be best to just replace the thing.

 

[Willl]

1. Is this a do-it-yourself project?

Now how can we honestly answer that, we don't know what you're capable of.

 

[ultrarunner]

Now how can we honestly answer that, we don't know what you're capable of.

Willl, you have a point... I did list in my profile that my hobby/interests are antique machinery and automobiles, not to mention my TBN Gold Member Status ;-)

Though, I've never tried my hand at rebuilding a leaking cylinder... yet

 

[ScottAR]

1. Absolutely. You'll need to buy some heavy duty tools. (Bonus right?)
2. I'm not conventional in most uses of the word but I'd repair unless the piston rod is badly scored. Then replace the rod itself.
3. The seal kits for my Case 580 are about $20.00 a cylinder.
4. I'd go to the dealer at least on the first one. That way you get a full kit.

I just resealed two cylinders on the 580. I posted some pics of the insides.
It's not a complicated process, just everything is heavy.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Cat dealer is about $750 to rebuild your D3 cylinder. I just resealed 5 off a D3C that burned in a fire, Seals were melted, had to re-machine a bunch of parts in the lathe, 2 rods were bent, machined and welded on 2 new rods, whole bill for all that was $1100. Cat dealer doesn't do anything different from anyone else.
By the way, the bolt holding the piston to the rod took me bouncing on my 3' breaker bar to remove.
If you want to do this yourself, look up Hercules-Bulldog Sealing Products. This is the place for hydraulic seals.
One thing I can tell you about this cylinder, there are 2 rod seals in the gland. One is simple to install, the other had me swearing for a couple hours. Had to heat the gland to about 120 degrees, and heat the seal in a bowl of water to 140 degrees. And was still a royal pain.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

Last week I noticed the left angle cylinder on my D3 Dozer is leaking... not much, but 2 drops a minute.

My questions are:

1. Is this a do-it-yourself project? Only you can answer.
2. What is the conventional wisdom on repair vs replace? Repair unless unrepairable
3. Any idea about how much this will cost for parts vs repair?About $40 thru Hercules, $80 from Cat for the same kit.
4. Would I be better off going to an independent or my CAT Dealer? See my above post.

For the hundred or so it will cost to just have it done, is it worth it to play with it?