Over two years ago, I bought the S.43773 power steering cylinders listed on this site to replace the leaking ones on my old tractor. When I received them, I soon realized they required new hoses with hard-to-find banjo fittings. Worse, the steering arms had to be removed and re-machined to accept the larger tie rod ends. So, the project got put off for two years. Finally got around to installing them, and they worked great.
Unfortunately, the first time they got wet, both piston rods rusted badly. Obviously, both cylinders had plain steel piston rods. I"ve never in my life seen an outdoor hydraulic cylinder whose rod was not hardened and hard-chrome plated. Otherwise, rust and dirt will destroy the seals in just a few weeks. Did I just get a bad pair of cylinders, or has anyone else had the same problem? How can a PS cylinder possibly work if not plated? The 27 year old ones I removed were totally free of rust. Their piston rods were plated. The two cylinders were nearly $500 and it looks like a total waste of money.
Unfortunately, the first time they got wet, both piston rods rusted badly. Obviously, both cylinders had plain steel piston rods. I"ve never in my life seen an outdoor hydraulic cylinder whose rod was not hardened and hard-chrome plated. Otherwise, rust and dirt will destroy the seals in just a few weeks. Did I just get a bad pair of cylinders, or has anyone else had the same problem? How can a PS cylinder possibly work if not plated? The 27 year old ones I removed were totally free of rust. Their piston rods were plated. The two cylinders were nearly $500 and it looks like a total waste of money.