69 power steering ram o/h

[Greg L.]

Well I finaly bought a chassis service manual and got all set to replace the seal in my power steering ram... Suprise! ...it refers me to the O/H manual which I don't have!

Sooo could someone explain how to get the seal out of the end of it? I have the circlip off and if I pull on the rod it feels like it is hitting something hard inside. I won't have a problem putting it all back together but I just want to be carefull taking it apart so that I don't damage anything.

Thanks

Greg Linton
#45455

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 power steering ram o/h

Greg-----

If you're figuring that you'll be able to remove the rod from the cylinder by removing the snap ring, that's not going to happen; there's a piston inside connected to the rod which won't allow that to happen.

You need to pull the rod out as far as it will go (which, it sounds like you've done) and then remove the several components. There will actually be a total of FOUR pieces. Topmost will be the rod scraper. Next will be the scraper element. Next a washer and finally the seal, itself. You may have to "nudge" these out with the aid of a small, sharp-bladed screwdriver or a dental pick. Your seal kit may contain all of these parts; if so, you don't need to worry about damaging them.

[Greg L.]

Re: 69 power steering ram o/h

Thanks Joe,

Sounds like the rod/piston is assembled and then the end cap is welded on.

So how do you replace the seals on the piston if you had to?

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 power steering ram o/h

Greg------

The only way is to cut the cylinder circumferentially. In fact, this is how commercial rebuilders do it. I don't like this "treatment", though. When it gets to the point of needing new piston seals, it's time for a NEW cylinder. Currently available cylinders are virtually identical to the originals, too.

While field replacement of piston seals is totally impractical, even if you wanted to do it, I don't know where you'd get the piston seal.

[Greg L.]

Re: 69 power steering ram o/h

Well I managed to replace the seal and I see what you mean Joe about not getting the piston out. I just seem to want to take things apart to make sure everything is going to be okay when it goes back together.

Maybe I should stop taking things apart and start putting this little project of mine back together!