Hydraulic cylinders can last for decades if the proper care is applied. While damage should not occur very often, you may require repairs, and if that’s the case, you have to consider whether a repair or replacement is best. If repairs are the better option, your hydraulic cylinder will first have to be diagnosed so that it can be repaired properly. You have to provide information surrounding its failure, and the technician will start by visually inspecting the cylinder to detect physical damage like a bent rod, for example. If such damage is not visible, they will know that the problem is internal and in some cases, cylinder repairs require just the replacement of seals.
If seals are not the solution, the technician will then remove and inspect each component of the cylinder, and what they see from the disassembly process will help them diagnose the problem. Troubleshooting observations are considered critical information that the technician will pass on so that you are aware of the condition and health of your hydraulic system. As mentioned, worn seals are often the problem, and these allow fluid to pass, which will reduce the maximum force and flow the cylinder can achieve while fluid bypasses the piston. This type of failure can be the result of typical wear or it can be catastrophic, so repairs are necessary, and a simple seal replacement will often do the trick. Rod, barrel or piston wear are also common problems that can be found upon opening a cylinder, and less common failures include rod thread breakage, stretched tie-rods, rust or corrosion, stripped fluid port threads and stripped piston threads.
New seals, a new rod or a new piston are the three most commonly replaced items during hydraulic cylinder repair; however, other components may need to be replaced as well. The technician will order the parts that are necessary, and once these are ready, they will assemble the cylinder. A thorough cleaning will be done first, and the individual parts will be prepped, after which the repair process will begin. Assembly is similar to that of a new cylinder, so it will start with the piston-rod assembly, after which it will be inserted into the barrel before being capped and buttoned-down.
Your cylinder must then be tested to ensure it meets your specifications, and the test procedure may require specific measurements or pressure tests. Your hydraulic cylinder should perform as good as new, and once the testing is complete, you can request to have the unit repainted. No repair is fully complete until the cylinder is fully running again on your machine, as this will be the ultimate test.
The experts at GO Hydraulics can help with all of your hydraulic cylinder repair needs. We can answer all of your questions, and our team will also address any concerns you may have, so if you’d like more information, contact us today!
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