Typical Repair Scope
RHK delivers complete hydraulic cylinder repair, restoring worn or damaged components to peak performance. From full disassembly and inspection to honing, rod polishing, and hard chrome plating, every cylinder is carefully rebuilt. Seals, glands, pistons, rods, bores, mounts, and ports are repaired or replaced to ensure smooth operation, reliable sealing, and long-lasting durability in demanding industrial applications.
Disassembly & Inspection
Your hydraulic cylinder will be disassembled and inspected from end to end. Critical dimensions will be measured and all component condition will be evaluated to bring your cylinder back to peak performance. A complete estimate will be provided for approval prior to commencing any repairs.
Gland / Piston Condition
Glands and pistons can deteriorate over time, especially in harsh working conditions. Glands and pistons can be modified for improved sealing performance or replaced to ensure correct clearance and maximize cylinder operation.
Seal Condition
Seals can deteriorate over time and from extreme working conditions. Cylinder cycles, fluid temperature, fluid condition and the condition of cylinder components can all contribute to seal failure. Cylinders do not usually fail from this cause, however this is the usual symptom of the problem.
Mounting Connection
Cylinders usually require mounting. Some styles incorporate threads, pins, trunions, tabs, bolts, bearings or bushings as an example to attach the cylinder to the mechanism that they are operating. Failure of any of these devices can stop operation of the cylinder.
Bore Condition
Any deterioration to Surface finish or Dimensional Clearances will cause Internal Oil Leakage & the cylinder may not function at full efficiency. Most cylinder bores are honed to Ra8 to Ra16 Micro finish & a .1mm or .004 inch diameter tolerance. All honing is done in house.
Porting Connection
All cylinders require flanges, couplings, & fittings as a method of receiving oil flow from the control system. Failure of these items will cause failure of the component.
Rod / Stage Condition
Any deterioration of the finish or straightness will cause seal failure & external oil leakage. Damaged cylinder rods and stages can be polished and/or hard chrome plated in house.
RHK’s Proven Service Process
Hydraulic Cylinder Repair FAQS
What types/brands of cylinders can you repair?
What is your turnaround (lead) time to repair a cylinder?
Can you reseal my cylinder?
Yes, we can. We prefer to perform at least a basic inspection on the components, but with time or budget constraints, we can simply reseal a cylinder.
Why is my cylinder leaking?
The most common causes of hydraulic cylinder failure are:
- Fluid Contamination – Foreign particles in the hydraulic fluid can scratch the cylinder bore and cause corrosion.
- Seal Failure – Seals can be damaged by excessive heat, improper installation, pressure spikes and contamination.
- Mount Connection Failure – When a cylinder is overloaded or misaligned, excessive stress causes faster wear on the mount connections.
- Side Loading – When an external force is applied perpendicular to the cylinder, it creates wear. Excessive side loading can cause a bent or broken rod.
- Rough or Scored Rod – A scored rod will damage the seals, causing difficulty to maintain pressure, reduce life, and require frequent replacement.
- Over-Pressurizing – Repeatedly handling more pressure than it is designed for causes snap rings to dislodge making the cylinder dangerous to operate.
Can you straighten a bent cylinder rod?
Yes, we can straighten most cylinder rods and stages. However, we occasionally encounter rods with a diameter, length, or material that is unfeasible for straightening.
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