How tight should a gland nut be?

[LADogBoy]

Rebuilding a boom cylinder for a 1962 Case Backhoe. Unlike other cylinders that I have rebuilt, this gland nut is super tight on the piston. The parts look correct. I have to use a mallet to slide the gland along the piston shaft. Is there a standard that is acceptable? Certainly don't want to complete the rebuild if this gland nut needs to slide by hand. Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[wdchyd]

More than likely you have rust under a wearband in the gland........take everything out of the gland nut, inspect carefully for rust, polish any you see (in a lathe preferred), then dry fit the new wearband only without the rest of the seals at first. Everything should slide on by hand but a "Slam" fit is acceptable with using a light plastic mallet.

Many of the older Case cylinders have what I call a dry wearband (meaning it is installed between the wiper and the rod seal), most newer cylinders use wearbands that are on the inside of the rod seal allowing the wearband to be bathed in oil preventing rust from forming under making the rod too tight

 

[LADogBoy]

Thanks! I ended up cleaning up the gland nut on my lathe. A close look at the replacement parts I have installed makes me think that everything is fine except the wipers. They don't seem to be the right size and one of them is causing all of "seizing." I'll get a replacement and give it a try.

 

[wdchyd]

Do you have the split type? (some have the oring underneath)

Don't overlook the rust under the wear band/wiper. they are the same part (turned the opposite ways)