McCormick #30 & #31 Cylinder Rebuild

I got my 2 loader cylinders off and apart. Trying to replace the seals at the end because oil was spitting out. It had 4 rubber seals stacked on top of each other. I believe these seals are called chevrons or v-packing. These seals were compressed between 2 brass bushings. I picked up new seals at my local Hydraulic shop but the new ones are made of leather. These leather seals are so stiff that when I install them and compress them between the bushings, they flatten out and the inside diameter becomes so small I don't think there will be any way to slide the shaft through them without ruining them. Has anyone ever replaced these seals? And if so, did you use rubber or leather?? And were there 4 in your unit?
I really need to get this back together.
Thanks
Harry

Two things: The leather seals must be oiled (saturated) before use so the rod will go through. The end seals are not causing the oil to spurt unless those cylinders are two way,
with hoses on the top and bottom of each. A lift only cylinder that spurts out the top is bypassing oil at the piston. Putting new rod end seals in it would not prevent the
problem and might result in the cylinder locking up if oil gets past the piston seals. Jim

(quoted from post at 09:45:35 07/24/17) Two things: The leather seals must be oiled (saturated) before use so the rod will go through. The end seals are not causing the oil to spurt unless those cylinders are two way,
with hoses on the top and bottom of each. A lift only cylinder that spurts out the top is bypassing oil at the piston. Putting new rod end seals in it would not prevent the
problem and might result in the cylinder locking up if oil gets past the piston seals. Jim

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Hi Jim. I'm also thinking that oil was bypassing the piston cup seal for sure. But these head seals were very worn and loose and slide over the removed shaft with no resistance (loose actually). I did get new piston cup seals. I'm thinking either go to Case/IH and get 4 new "rubber" seals or go with 3 of these leather seals. Also, from my understanding, since this is on an H tractor, there IS supposed to be oil on the back side of the pistons inside the pipe cylinders and there IS a hose on both ends. As the oil pushes the piston out, it pushes reserve oil from the top end back into the belly pump to extend the cylinders fully because the the belly pump on the H doesn't have enough capacity to do so.

Very good. With a 4 hose setup the upper cylinder seals become very important to keep contamination out of the oil, and the oil inside. Jim

(quoted from post at 10:43:26 07/24/17) Very good. With a 4 hose setup the upper cylinder seals become very important to keep contamination out of the oil, and the oil inside. Jim

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Hence my problem......4 of these leather seals stack up higher than the 4 rubber seals. Actually, 3 of them stack up to about the same height as the 4 rubber ones. 4 leathers compress way too much, flattening them out and making the inside ID too small for the shaft to fit thru. I did soak them in oil but I don't think that will help at all. I'm hoping 3 lips will be enough instead of 4.
Was just wondering if anyone else ever replaced these end seals and how many they used?

I would go with 3. Leather seals are good in my opinion. The fit of the rod end bushing needs to be close to keep any seal operational. At the most, .006 to.008 clearance. Jim

(quoted from post at 10:55:01 07/24/17) I would go with 3. Leather seals are good in my opinion. The fit of the rod end bushing needs to be close to keep any seal operational. At the most, .006 to.008 clearance. Jim

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Thanks for all your input Jim! I'm thinking 3 would suffice as well. As for the bushings, I don't think they sell them anymore. I would if I could.

Bushings can be made easily. The Cap can be bored for a standard size (if it is not already) and bushings pressed in. Jim

(quoted from post at 10:55:01 07/24/17) I would go with 3. Leather seals are good in my opinion. The fit of the rod end bushing needs to be close to keep any seal operational. At the most, .006 to.008 clearance. Jim

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Thanks Jim for mentioning about the bushings. I was totally overlooking them. I slid them on the shaft and no measurement was needed. They were way too loose. I ordered some bushings and cut them to size so they would work with the new chevron seal stack I was using. Everything is back together and working fine.
Thank you
Harry