Ford 550 backhoe

[adamgirdwood]

thanks for your help, il have a go at the weekend and hopefully get it off to find out what damage has been done! will i be able to get parts for this digger from ford?

[martyn williams]

Don't know Adam.there may be some old stock around.If there are just o rings gone.You can get plastic boxes of all sizes or get a o ring kit and make them.As far as your worn pin hole problem,a machine shop may be able to help there.But just watch those cast rings.Don't know if you can still get them.
Good luck
Martyn

[adamgirdwood]

hi martyn, i managed to get all 14 bolts out of the bottom of the barrel with a bit of heat and leaverage! but i cant seperate the bottom part from the barrel to get in to replace the seals. do you know how? ps i got a seal kit from the guy that owned the machine before me. i also spoke to my brother, he works as a fabricator and his work are going to make a bush for me. cheeers, adam.

[martyn williams]

you need to jack it same as the top.
Martyn

[adamgirdwood]

hi martyn, iv got a bit of a problem! iv had the cylinder off, split it, replaced o rings but never replaced the rectangle shape seals as i couldnt get them off, then put new bush into top of cylinder then back onto machine but now it wont slew round. if u give it a push by hand and press the lever to turn it, it moves but the engine drops revs like it is struggling. Also after trying for a while the two hyd pipes going into the top of the cylinder were getting hot then when i had another go at it tonight oil started coming out from the top cap. will i have to take it to bits again or is there some thing iv missed or done wrong?

[martyn williams]

Did you mark the position of the centre shaft before removal ? It may be out of position. ie in full slew one way so it will not operate the full 180 degrees.Remove top to make sure that the centre shaft is in the correct position. Can you post a photo of it with the top off ?
Again,be very carefull you dont crack those cast rings as that will give you no slew.
Martyn

[adamgirdwood]

il have a go at taking the top off today and get some photos for you. the top bracket that holds the cylinder to the machine was tight to put on with the new bush. Im sure its put back together correct as the inside had a mark on it where the seals had been resting for a few years.

[adamgirdwood]

hi martyn,i think iv found the problem! the bottom cast ring is in 5 bits, the top o ring between the shaft and the top cap is shredded and am iright in saying that the seals on the shaft have to be directly opposite to the seals on the barrel? if you look at photo0081 the seals aren't opposite each other. i must have put the shaft in wrong the first time! Also the rectangle seals on the shaft (photo0083) are really worn, is it a big job to do the seals on the barrel and the shaft?

[martyn williams]

If I remember right,the shaft seals can be a bit of a sod to do.Just take care in removing them.If you don't feel like doing that job it may by wise to take it to a hydraulic specialist.As for those rings,you have to be very carefull when you renew them as they are very brittle and even a hairline crack would make them ineffective. Make sure that inside the barrel if free of damage or burrs etc.With the centre removed I would give it a good polish,also clean the splines up.This will make it easier to refit with less chance of it cracking the bottom ring.
Keep us posted good luck
Martyn

[adamgirdwood]

I'm getting a ring machined and an o ring made this week, is there dowels in the barrel holding the seals in? Hopefully get it back together at weekend!!