Power steering cylinder

[harleyjohn45]

Trying to repair my steering cylinder. I removed the snap ring and dust seal and washer. I then used my slide hammer to remove the piston rod. no success. I then followed the advice of the manual and bought some fittings to use air to blow out the retainer and seal. No success, I only have 125 psig. I then secured the cylinder and hooked a come-a-long to the piston rod. I put more pressure on the rod than I thought necessary. Still no success, does anyone know what I'm doing wrong?
Thanks in advance.

The retainer in the cylinder is soft, perhaps rubber. It looks to be in good shape and I don't want to ruin it.

[chain drive]

is the cly. on a 56 ford?

[harleyjohn45]

Yes

[chain drive]

to get it apart you have to cut the weld on the back side the rod has a piston welded on the end is the rod worn ?

[harleyjohn45]

The rod is smooth and straight

[harleyjohn45]

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I have a 1956 ford shop manual. The instructions do not mention a piston welded to the rod.
You should be able to get the seal and retainer out.

[harleyjohn45]

What you say makes sense, I pulled that rod with about 500 lbs of force. I may can use the air and keep the rod mostly pushed in and try to blow the seal out. The piston could be keeping the air off the seal and retainer.

[Merc Cruzer]

This is from a 53' Power steering manual, but should be the same process. Maybe it will help.

[harleyjohn45]

Thank you Merc. I finally got the seal out, My 56 ford shop manual said to blow it out, Your instructions said use a prick punch. That is what I did. I bought a repair kit, but nothing there fits my car. My car has a .625 rod and the outside diameter of the seal is
1.25. then you have a dust seal and a metal retainer, then the clip. The hunt is on for a seal kit.

[Merc Cruzer]

Do you have a part number for the kit?

[harleyjohn45]

Originally Posted by Merc Cruzer

Do you have a part number for the kit?

I have a part number for the main seal AE-0654-N, It was on the seal itself. There is a dust seal and it can possibly be used again I contacted the Ebay company and asked if they can help me. In the meantime I went on line and the part # got a match. They say they have 12 and and I did an inquiry and have not heard back.

Some one else bought this same kit and they said it fit just fine. I'm lost as to what I have.

The ram seal feels tight, but I can't see it. My steering did not leak bad, I just don't like oil in the floor.

[chain drive]

if the rod is smooth no wear on the rod the rod will wear where the wheels are straight ahead the seal will work fine when they are bad i cut them apart and machine a 5/8 stainless rod to fit back on the piston good luck

[Merc Cruzer]

I re-sealed mine and no leaks.

[Ole Don]

Those cars seem to like to mark the floor. After mine was rebuilt, it still dripped just a bit. I put in half a bottle of Lucas P/S conditioner. No more leaks.

[harleyjohn45]

Originally Posted by chain drive

if the rod is smooth no wear on the rod the rod will wear where the wheels are straight ahead the seal will work fine when they are bad i cut them apart and machine a 5/8 stainless rod to fit back on the piston good luck

Chain Drive are you a motorcyclist?

[harleyjohn45]

Originally Posted by Ole Don

Those cars seem to like to mark the floor. After mine was rebuilt, it still dripped just a bit. I put in half a bottle of Lucas P/S conditioner. No more leaks.

I saw your post earlier, Lucas really helps. I'm not leaking bad, Just trying to get them all out.

I sent the ebay seller an note telling him the Kit didn't fit, he replied that someone must have changed the cylinder, no mention of a return. The kit I bought from was for a 1" cylinder and my cylinder is a 1.25". The seal I pulled out is part # AE0654N, so I did a search and a company in Los Angeles said they had 12 in Stock. I will call them Monday morning. The Company is the
"The Berns Company-est. 1956". They say they have 5 warehouses of surplus parts. That may be a good source of parts for forum members.
I never heard of them before.

[Merc Cruzer]

You might find this informative:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...25#post1429425

[chain drive]

no i rode a bike once i build 55 56 crowns i worked on them when they were new most things are not new to me on fords if the shaft is smooth and not worn the new seal will work good luck

[harleyjohn45]

Originally Posted by Merc Cruzer

You might find this informative:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...25#post1429425

I have the car on a lift, all I did was remove the ram. I let the oil that drained
out fall ion a pan. Tomorrow I will let the car down and see if the oil drained out. The control valve does not appear to be leaking. I bought Castrol Dex/ Merc oil for it.
Rocket seals may can cross reference my seal number and get a loaded red seal. I will check with them.
I wonder why my car would have a bigger ram, I was told this a Ford power steering unit.

[harleyjohn45]

Originally Posted by chain drive

no i rode a bike once i build 55 56 crowns i worked on them when they were new most things are not new to me on fords if the shaft is smooth and not worn the new seal will work good luck

I was 18 when the 55 Fords came out. LOL I'm 83, are you older than me.