Hydraulic Cylinder Repairs
A leaking, drifting or damaged hydraulic cylinder can take an entire EWP out of service, because the cylinders are what actually move and hold the boom, platform and stabilisers. This page is specifically about the cylinder: resealing, rod and barrel repair, honing and testing of the individual ram — the focused work that brings a failed cylinder back to a reliable, leak-free condition.
Cylinder work is precision work. Scored rods, worn seals, pitted bores and bent components all cause the symptoms operators notice — creep, weeping seals, jerky movement — but each needs a different remedy. We strip the cylinder down, identify what has actually failed, machine or repair the components that can be saved, replace what cannot, and pressure test the rebuilt ram before it goes back on the machine. For broader hydraulic system faults, this pairs with our wider hydraulic services rather than duplicating them.
Built For
- Operators with a drifting, creeping or leaking cylinder
- Fleet owners wanting a cylinder repaired rather than replaced
- Maintenance teams isolating a single failed ram
- Hire companies returning units to service quickly
- Anyone with scored rods, blown seals or a damaged barrel
Equipment & Coverage
- Lift, telescope and slew cylinders
- Platform levelling and jib cylinders
- Stabiliser and outrigger cylinders
- Rods, barrels, glands, pistons and seal kits
- Cylinder mounting eyes, pins and bushes
The Process
Diagnose the cylinder
The ram is removed and stripped so we can identify the true fault — worn seals, a scored rod, a pitted bore or physical damage.
Machine & repair
Bores are honed, rods are repaired or replaced, and components that can be saved are machined back to specification rather than needlessly renewed.
Reseal & reassemble
New seals suited to the cylinder are fitted and the ram is reassembled to correct tolerances so it holds pressure and moves cleanly.
Pressure test
The rebuilt cylinder is pressure tested for leaks and drift before it is refitted, so the fix is proven rather than hoped for.
Compliance & Standards
Hydraulic cylinders on elevated work platforms are safety-critical because they hold and move the load-bearing structure, and the equipment is maintained under AS 2550.10 for machines designed to AS/NZS 1418.10. Cylinder repairs are carried out to restore correct sealing, tolerance and pressure integrity, and where a cylinder repair affects the machine's capacity or forms part of a larger recommissioning, function and load testing can be arranged so the unit is verified before returning to service.
Why EWP Australia
- Cylinder-specific expertise — reseal, rod, barrel, honing and testing
- The true fault diagnosed before parts are replaced
- Components saved by machining where possible, not blanket-renewed
- Every rebuilt cylinder pressure tested for leaks and drift
- Pairs with wider hydraulic services without duplicating them
Common Questions
How is this different from your hydraulic services page?
This page is specifically about the individual cylinder — resealing, rod and barrel repair, honing and testing of the ram itself. Our broader hydraulic services cover the wider system, including pumps, valves, hoses and controls. Cylinder-specific faults are handled here and dovetail with that wider work when a system issue is involved.
Why is my cylinder leaking or drifting?
Weeping and drift are usually caused by worn seals, a scored or pitted rod, or damage to the bore that stops the piston sealing. Stripping and inspecting the cylinder identifies which it is, because each needs a different repair rather than simply topping up oil.
Can a cylinder be repaired rather than replaced?
Frequently, yes. Bores can be honed, rods repaired or replaced, and seals renewed to bring a cylinder back to a reliable condition, which is often faster and better value than a new unit. If a component is beyond economic repair we will say so.
Do you test the cylinder before fitting it back?
Yes. Every rebuilt cylinder is pressure tested for leaks and drift before it goes back on the machine, so the repair is confirmed rather than discovered to have failed once the unit is back in the air.
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