3cx front bucket tipping seals

[Pat_r_irl]

Hi all
so the front bucket tipping ram on the 1987 3cx 4wd has now given up. she's dripping everywhere, hence the bucket. I'm wondering should I attempt these myself. where and how do you take them off?
I know I need a big wrench, but will a Stillsion Wrench do the job or will I have to get a open mouthed flogging spanner.
Is there any youtube videos out there or docs out there, before I go on another adventure!


thanks
Pat

[Jeremy Rowland]

Pat, these look like internal cap rams, I'm not sure if they have a hexagon on the end or holes in the cap nut, I have only ever done external cap and found them to be very tight, there are people on here who have done these before and will have a better idea of the task than me.

Jeremy

[mechman]

Pat.
If it has the hex type cap a large pair of stilsons and a few pounds of muscle should see the cap come off.
Norm.

[gecko.cx]

I've been working my way through mine as they need it (later model, but not much different).
Suggestion - do the job, but leave the cylinder in place. Undo the nut/gland and only then remove the pin holding the rod to the tilt linkage.
Once the rod has been extracted from the cylinder, point it forward and pin it back into the linkage so you've got something to work against when removing the piston. (use some rag etc. on the shovel to protect the rod surface too).

Stilsons will be fine, but I've needed 18" plus pipe to get mine moving.

Now the 'gottcha' with mine is there is a dowel hidden under one of the piston guides. Not sure this is present on yours, but you don't want to miss it if it's there. [can someone confirm if it will be present?]
Guessing your serial is in the 290~400 range, the manual (see downloads section) shows locking tab washer and wire retainers used on the pistons, so probably no dowel to watch out for.

[Pat_r_irl]

Thanks very much all. its in the serial is 3CX-4/3214xx/p/s. Good idea gecko.cx I was thinking of talking the whole lot off, but I mightn't have a vice strong enough! (or a person strong enough )

[Anton_Chigurh]

How did you get on with this Pat? I removed my 2 clam rams from my front bucket today in Galway to do the seals on both of them. I opened the Hex nut prior to taking out the bottom pin but on the 2nd one I broke the 24 inch stillson I bought just yesterday to do the job. Got them open but the tool resembles a blind cobblers thumb. They are on the bench now for tackling during the week hopefully.

[gecko.cx]

I broke the 24 inch stillson I bought just yesterday to do the job.

Cast Chinesium I presume (not forged steel)?

Don't forget the dowel!

[mechman]

I used 48" Stillsons on mine.( only because they were at hand) Made by Record.
Norm.

[Anton_Chigurh]

I broke the 24 inch stillson I bought just yesterday to do the job.

Cast Chinesium I presume (not forged steel)?

Don't forget the dowel!

Cheesium it would seem. No sign of a dowel on them. Wire type retainer that somewhat resembles a circlip on the end of the piston though.