Mahindra 4540 - replacing steering hydraulic cylinder

[LARGEONE]

When I first purchased my 2014 4540 in 2019, it had a leaking steering cylinder on the left side. In the interim, I made a little catch pan to keep hydraulic fluid from leaking everywhere and I watched fluid levels closely. Recently, I noticed it is now also leaking on the right side of the cylinder. So, I purchased a new cylinder from Rubicon in TX for around $850 (the 2wd versions are cheaper BTW). My question:

If I remove the old cylinder and replace with new, do I need to do anything to bleed air out of the lines? Or does the system take care of this automatically like it does when you put a new attachment on?

Anyone have experience with this on a Mahindra?

TIA

 

[skipmarcy]

When the leakage on my steering cylinder finally got too bad I took it off and went to my small town hydraulic shop and had it re-sealed for $88, parts & labor about 7 or 8 years ago. They didn't even need to know what it came off of, just measured for the parts and did the work. 2001 Mahindra 4110 4x4. Also, it will self-bleed with very little use.

 

[LARGEONE]

Thank you for the reply. I am going to have the current cylinder rebuilt, but Mahindra changed the bore and I wasn't sure whether my tractor still has the old style or the new? My tractor is in the mountains about 3 hours away, so I just ordered a new cylinder. Once I replace mine, I will likely get this one rebuilt here locally. Thanks again for the confirmation on bleeding.

Edit: @skipmarcy did you plug the lines with something to keep fluid from leaking the entire time your cylinder was off?

 

[skipmarcy]

Yes, being a retired auto mechanic I have a coffee can full of all kinds of plastic caps from stuff over the years and put a couple of snug caps over the fittings while disconnected. I doubt they would have drained much fluid, it comes from the valve on the steering column, but I did it mainly to keep debris out. I suppose a siphon could occur and drain the fluid in an unusual case though ...

 

[LARGEONE]

Makes sense. Thank you.

 

[2manyrocks]

Amazon sells a kit containing a variety of hyd fitting caps and plugs if you want to go that far.

Another thing I've done is to cover the ends with the fingertips from nitrile gloves to keep dirt out of the lines as a temporary solution.