Thread: How to repair a leaking hydraulic ram

It sounds like the bush the shaft slides through is elongated

Rams aren't rocket science, you should be able to work it out as you go.

sounds like the piston seals are leaking. To fix, remove the ram, remove the ram collar (these are usually screwed onto ram body), withdraw the piston and undo the piston nut that holds all the seals in place. This nut is usually heavily torqued...350-400 ft lbs according to my manual (depending on the ram). Instal new seal kit and retighten piston nut. Insert back into cylinder - sometimes need to slightly "distort" the roundness of cylinder using a G clamp to allow piston to slide in easily..as soon as piston is in, remove G clamp and etc etc. Hope this helps

Thanks for that guys.

Are there any specialised tools that I would need to do this?

I'll have a closer look at the ram and take some photos. I don't want to take it off then be left with a backhoe that I can't use until I can pay someone to do it.

I'm not scared of the unknown, its just that some tasks are best left to specialised professions. I'm hoping this is not one of them.

Get a seal kit first
http://www.heavy-duty-construction-e...oe-loader.html
nothing worse than pulling it apart and not having the right size seal -o'ring and it takes a week to order

no specialised tools....just keep things extra clean, don't get the seals and washers on the piston out of order, soak all new o rings/seals in hydraulic oil before installing...just need to be clean and organised. Don't forget to "jiggle" the spool valve control lever on the ram to remove residual hydraulic pressure so you don't get any surprises.

sorry, meant to wish you luck...I have only done a few rams and always feel like I am going to stuff up but so far so good