Epco engine crane seal replacement question

[roofman]

might not be enough oil in it to do so but good idea and worth a try

keep topping up...this is what i do to remove brake caliper pistons

 

[normspanners]

That first picture at the bottom of the hole is a high pressure seal, with its sealing face down so therefore i would say it was a displacement ram, as said and it should just pop out with its own pump as said in post 4

pump the ram to the top and gentle push the rod the last bit to get the piston out.

 

[PandaWill]

I think the cup thing at the top needs to be removed. Piston at full length hits a solid stopper with a heavy clunk. I will report back when (and if) I can get cup removed!

 

[brightspark]

heres a spares place http://www.commercialsupplies.co.uk/hydraulic_seal_kits.htm

 

[normspanners]

I think the cup thing at the top needs to be removed. Piston at full length hits a solid stopper with a heavy clunk. I will report back when (and if) I can get cup removed!

you wont need to get the rod out, pump it away from the bottom because it is a displacment cyl and it only has one seal then just push down on the end of the rod to try and force the rod back into the cyl you may need to give it a knock with a copper hammer, as said that will pressure the oil and push the seal up and out

pump the ram to the top and gentle push the rod the last bit to get the piston seal out.

sorry I had put to get the piston out, I meant the seal
Probably what is happening by pumping the rod all the way up is the end of the rod which is wider than the gland and stops you damaging the seal,the last pump is forming a metal to metal seal with the gland at the top and that is the solid clunk you are hearing, by pushing the piston rod back in the seal should pop out.

 

[AndyStobbs]

You will still have to take the top of the actual piston rod off to get the seal off/ on

 

[normspanners]

that is not a true picture of his ram just a generic one i modded

Imo there will be no seal on the piston and usually the top pivot is just a hole in the ram rod

 

[AndyStobbs]

look at the op's picture, its got a piece on the top.

 

[normspanners]

look at the op's picture, its got a piece on the top.

Sorry yes quite right, I looked for that pic as well, somehow missed it
I'll put that down to being a richard head

 

[PandaWill]

Hi again - thanks to all for your input. I have it sorted now (well I've exposed the seals at any rate)

The cup part on the top of the piston shaft did have to come off. It was screwed on tight and also held in place by a tiny grub screw. One freed this allowed me to remove the piston. With the piston out I was able to slide off the cup which houses the seals. The top seal just lifted out with my finger so am presuming this is just a dust seal? - then there is a more serious looking seal in the middle of the assembly and then at the bottom an o ring which looks to be crushed.

I am going to take the whole lot to a local hydraulics place and see what they say.

One thing for sure though - what a lovely piece of engineering this is. The quality is off the scale. They just don't make em like this any more

I will report back when I get new seals

Thanks again for your help, will

 

[normspanners]

Try these I have dealt with them for years and are very good for seals etc, the guys are very helpful

Hydraulic Equipment Supermarkets
Dowco House
Innsworth Technology Park
Innsworth Lane
Gloucester
GL3 1DL

Tel: 01452 730774
Fax: 01452 731637

 

[PandaWill]

Many thanks norm

 

[normspanners]

They are a good crane but you need a crane------ to move the crane---- I use one at a place that I work on pumps for and it is a big job to get it across the rough concrete /gravel yard

 

[normspanners]

I am going to take the whole lot to a local hydraulics place and see what they say.

blackwells/hydroscand or sos ?
Coz I know lads at both of them

 

[PandaWill]

Thanks norm I was going to try chesterchain.com and see what they say. I will go down there tomorrow. I called hydraulic equipment supermarkets but they wanted me to post the seals to them. I will do that, but only if I have no luck locally.

I know what you mean about the crane lol - incredibly heavy and well made. It feels like it would survive a nuclear explosion

 

[the snooper]

Thanks norm I was going to try chesterchain.com and see what they say. I will go down there tomorrow. I called hydraulic equipment supermarkets but they wanted me to post the seals to them. I will do that, but only if I have no luck locally.

I know what you mean about the crane lol - incredibly heavy and well made. It feels like it would survive a nuclear explosion

try visiting a few different hydraulic places before posting them off, if they get lost in the post you have nothing as a pattern the people I use will always order bits if they don't have any

 

[roofman]

Hes,Dublin street,Liverpool (by costco on the dock road) they have a £500,000 machine that can make any seals while you wait. They have just made me a pump seal for an old Bradbury car jack.

 

[normspanners]

HYD sup markets usually work off sizes or if you look carefully there might be numbers on the seals that usually equate to the size anyway.

chesterchain.com

yeah I know them too I was there a mth or so ago.
Thanks roofman didnt know about that machine. No doubt for the ship repairs
there is a place that does shaft / lip seals on wallasey docks from tiny up to 6ft dia the ship people use them all sizes in stock and different materials for acids /oils etc etc they have the biggest stock in europe.

 

[normspanners]

Most hydraulic seals dont have to look identical as long as shaft dia housing id and depth are correct and the depth is not REALLY critical in most situations ie a slightly smaller one will work. IE dont have to be rubber could be nylon or whatever a seal is a seal. old rubber is used on slowish rams but plastic nylon will work just as well.
I have repaired loads of old worn rams by having the ram rod 'chromed up' ie built up with chrome and reground to suit next available metric size for instance, all you do then is spin the end housing bush to suit the new size rod and that saves pressing out bushes etc get new seals to suit the new size and bingo good as new.
btw you just need to tape up threads etc to stop the chrome affecting the sensitive bits.

 

[PandaWill]

Thought I would report that the crane is now fixed and working well.

In the end I was pointed in the direction of Rob at Alyn Hydraulics in Wrexham. I took the old seal down to him and he had a new one in stock for me in 2 days.

The seal plus 4 litres of hydraulic oil - all for 20 quid. Brilliant service and I would recommend to anyone.

Thanks again for your help all
Will