Common Hydraulic Cylinder Problems and Repairs

[Luke Gibson]

I'm troubleshooting a hydraulic cylinder that's starting to leak and lose lifting power, and I'm wondering what usually causes these issues. In your experience, are worn seals the most common culprit, or have you dealt with bent rods, scored cylinders, or internal bypass problems? Do you typically rebuild the cylinder yourself or send it to a hydraulic repair shop? Any troubleshooting tips or repair advice would be appreciated before I tear it apart.

 

[Felipe Rances]

Check for a scored rod or cylinder before replacing the seals. New seals won't last long if the surface they're riding on is already damaged.