Rebuild both cylinders at the same time?

[AKfish]

While in the tractor shed the other day, I noticed that the right side boom cylinder on the 110 loader has got a pretty good leak started. Nice puddle there on the ground! Looked up the seal kit repair on www.JDParts.com and it's about ~$42.00. Whew...

So, my instinct is to rebuild both loader cylinders at the same time. I'm doing the work and it's a pretty cheap repair. But, the left side is dry - no problems. (If it ain't broke... don't fix it?!?) Nonetheless, my logic is that after rebuilding the right side the loader might have slightly unequal lifting capabilities and the older cylinder (~1,200-1,300hrs) will start to fail in short order.

Any thoughts or opinions?

Thanks.

AKfish

 

[Zebrafive]

I would rebuild both. They each have the same wear, only one failed first.

 

[RickB]

It is a crapshoot. Nothing says the other one will or will not start leaking any tiime within the next 1000 hours of use. Do whatever makes you happy.

 

[arlen4720]

I would also rebuild both

 

[ultrarunner]

Buy two kits and put one in...

 

[aczlan]

Buy two kits and put one in...

I agree, UNLESS you cant have unexpected downtime from a leaking cylinder. The other one could die tomorrow, or it could be fine for 10 more years.

Aaron Z

 

[kennyd]

I am in the "do both" camp, like headlights, wipers, brakes, tires, ect they both have the same wear on them. Only time I wouldn't is if there is obvious damage from an outside force on the side that's leaking.

 

[Henri88]

Why is it that in my mind I would've done only one, until Kenny showed up? :thumbsup:

 

[Tx Jim]

Rick
I agree with you. There's no telling how many hrs use the other cylinder will give before it fails. I'm in the "if it aint broke don't fix it" group.

 

[kevin37b]

Fix the one that leaks . I've seen this repairs go both ways . It is either fixed or leaks worse . The other cyl . may never leak , unless you open it up .

 

[ultrarunner]

I had a leaking wheel cylinder on my 68 Mustang and replaced it.

That was 9 years ago... the other 3 were not changed and all 4 are dry.

Just to confuse things a little more.

Two brothers I know bought the same tractors at the same time.

The have similar hours... mostly used during harvest season.

One has spend a lot more on repairs than the other...

A the first sign of a cylinder leak... one had all the cylinders redone and the other just watched his oil level.

Years later, they are both getting the cylinders done... second time for one brother and first time for the other who said 5 gallons of fluid lasted 6 years...

There really isn't a right or wrong.

 

[JCByrd24]

I like ultra runners post and will add that I suspect many hydraulic cylinder leaks are the result of not necessarily wear but specific intrusive events. We are not running or tractors in lab environments and these are not brake pads that we know are wearing with every touch of the pedal. Chances are the first cylinder to leak was the one that got real dirty that one time. Thus I am in the camp of not taking apart a perfectly good cylinder. Wheel bearings and ball joints on an auto fall into this category as well. Now, if labor involved saved outweighs the cost of a part in cash or nuisance I will do the part as well, e.g. Water pump and idler pulleys with timing belt.

 

[arlen4720]

If you don't rebuild both, the symmetry of the universe will be disturbed.

 

[AKfish]

If you don't rebuild both, the symmetry of the universe will be disturbed.

There's the answer I was lookin' for... :laughing:

Thanks for the feedback -- although, my rough tally puts the score at ~50:50!

I'll probably make my mind up when I've got the one cylinder tore down and see how it looks and if I can get an idea about what went wrong.

AKfish

 

[TomSeller]

If you don't rebuild both, the symmetry of the universe will be disturbed.

Is that if the seals don't match exactly, one side of the tractor will be heavier than the other and the tractor will slump to one side?

 

[etcallhome]

After getting my 2305 w/bh noticed one of the stabilizer cylinder was leaking. I told the dealer and he told me they would rebuilt the leaky one . Had it repaired. Used the hoe for another 5 yrs and no leaks on either cylinder.
Just never know, but you should do both. Noticed one of the stabilizer cylinder on the new bh is seeping .

 

[mfreund]

I vote for fix the leaking one.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Don't fix what ain't broke!!!

 

[TomSeller]

If the doctor tells you you need a hip replacement, would you have him go ahead and replace both?

 

[LD1]

I agree, UNLESS you cant have unexpected downtime from a leaking cylinder. The other one could die tomorrow, or it could be fine for 10 more years.

Aaron Z

I agree with this.

Tomseller....Now thats funny.:laughing: