How do I hold a chromed shaft from a hydraulic cylinder?

andy r · Jan 27, 2020

I have a tractor steering cylinder all disassembled except for the ball joint on one end. The jam nut comes loose, but the ball joint will not screw out of the shaft. The shaft is all round from end to end with no flat spots for grip. I am seeking ideas on how to hold the shaft from turning while I break the ball joint loose. I feel a vice without some kind of padding might tear up the smooth shaft hurting the sealing ability of the seals. I know I could weld something on the extreme end which might "catch" better in a vise as well. I have also applied a little heat to the end. Didn't know how much heat the chrome would take. Are there any other tricks out there to get the ball joint knocked loose? Ball joint is on the right side of the attached picture. Ball joint is good. Not replacing it. Have to get the ball joint off to replace the seals inside an interior gland. Thanks.

Janicholson · Jan 27, 2020

With the other end ball joint held from turning, remove this end. then lube it up and put t back in with its jamb nut tight the other end will come loose. Jim

andy r · Jan 27, 2020

That doesn't work. The rod isn't hooked to anything in the cylinder. The cylinder is now disassembled except for the ball joint. I have to clamp down on the rod somehow to hold it.

markct · Jan 27, 2020

Hold it by the piston then if disassembled, should be a hex etc you grab the piston

jon f mn · Jan 27, 2020

You are probably going to have to pull the piston out so you can grab the other end. Usually there is an unused portion on the end you can grip but this one looks like it doesn't have that. I would try holding the jam but to see if you can get it loose first, but that will be working against you so I am doubtful that will work. But it is worth a try before you pull the piston.

Adirondack case guy · Jan 27, 2020

Clamp the cylinder rod in a vice between two pieces of 1X wood blocks and crank it down really tight. Then get a wrench of some type on the ball joint and hit the wrench with a BFH to break it loose.

Jeff NWOH · Jan 27, 2020

Heavy rubber sheet between the shaft and your vise jaws. Or a couple blocks of wood maybe.

matthies · Jan 27, 2020

What does your service manual say??

John-MI · Jan 27, 2020

It's not left handed thread is it? Can you hold the Clevis end in a vise?

Russ from MN · Jan 27, 2020

Drill a hole in a hardwood 4X4 the same size as the shaft, then split it through the hole lengthwise with a table saw. Line the half circles with thin rubber and put it all in a big vise, or a lot of c clamps, or drill holes and bolt the 2 pieces back together.

jeffcat · Jan 27, 2020

I agree with your wood blocks. Another idea is a honking big strap wrench.

george md · Jan 27, 2020

My guess is that the gland on the chrome end comes out ,
most likely a snap ring ,may have to tap the gland deeper
into the barrel to get o the snap ring . Then the rod ,
gland and piston will come out as a unit . At that point
you can remove the nut that holds the piston on and do
complete rebuild.
Do all kinds .

george

Bob · Jan 27, 2020

(quoted from post at 20:16:00 01/27/20) I have a tractor steering cylinder all disassembled except for the ball joint on one end. The jam nut comes loose, but the ball joint will not screw out of the shaft. The shaft is all round from end to end with no flat spots for grip. I am seeking ideas on how to hold the shaft from turning while I break the ball joint loose. I feel a vice without some kind of padding might tear up the smooth shaft hurting the sealing ability of the seals. I know I could weld something on the extreme end which might "catch" better in a vise as well. I have also applied a little heat to the end. Didn't know how much heat the chrome would take. Are there any other tricks out there to get the ball joint knocked loose? Ball joint is on the right side of the attached picture. Ball joint is good. Not replacing it. Have to get the ball joint off to replace the seals inside an interior gland. Thanks.
<img src="https://www.yesterdaystractors.com/cvphotos/cvphoto3422.jpg">

Cut a strip of leather from an old pair of bewts, while protecting the cylinder rod with that clamp it in a vise like your life depended upon it, then give the vise handle another quarter of a turn.

Ralph on the vise handle one more time, then put a wrench to the lock nut.

andy r · Jan 27, 2020

Service manual makes no mention as to how to get ball joints out. Cylinder is all disassembled except for the ball joint. Have to get the ball joint off to service the "O" rings in the gland.

shaun wallace · Jan 27, 2020

Case steer cyl. Has snapring that holds gland on exposed rod end and gland where unscrews with piston in middle. Flat on rod end that goes in
end that unscrews.

Steve@Advance · Jan 27, 2020

Here's an outside the box try.

Temporary the cylinder back together, connect the hoses, extend or retract the cylinder and hold hyd pressure on it while trying to unscrew the end.

Maybe...

timcasbolt · Jan 28, 2020

(quoted from post at 22:00:28 01/27/20) Clamp the cylinder rod in a vice between two pieces of 1X wood blocks and crank it down really tight. Then get a wrench of some type on the ball joint and hit the wrench with a BFH to break it loose.

Word for word that is how I would attempt it.

Blackhole49 · Jan 28, 2020

Without a picture I'm not sure, but all the cylinders I've worked on, everything was replaced from the other end removing a nut.

dr sportster · Jan 28, 2020

Klein makes a great strap wrench with a plastic coated strap that grips anything.

How do I hold a chromed shaft from a hydraulic cylinder?

andy r

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Janicholson

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andy r

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jon f mn

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Adirondack case guy

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