Slide cylinders leaking again
We bought a 2017 3721RL new in Mar of 2018. After the second trip the slides started drifting out during travel. So dealer replace both slide cylinders under warranty. Approx. 6 months after that they started leaking again this time leaking oil by the rod seal making a mess. Weather was such we did not get to use the unit much, so I am just now getting around to replacing them. I bought new cylinders, as I was installing them I think I may have discovered the problem.
As I tightened the nut retaining the back end of the cylinder the cylinder jumped up and side ways. (outer end was not hooked up yet). So in order to hook up the rod to its hole I would have to pull sideways on the cylinder. It would have to move the rod approx. 4 " that is a really hard pull. I spent 43 years working for a Caterpillar dealer and am very familiar with hydraulics. No where that I know of will a hydraulic cylinder survive with a side load being applied to it.
One fix would entail bending or cutting the cylinder mount loose and rewelding it to the frame.
For a fix I am thinking of using a double nut or lock nut on the back end leaving the cylinder slightly loose so it can float a little. Similar to the rod end attaching to the slide.
Does anybody have any thoughts on the idea of a floating cylinder mount. .
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