Anyone ever rebuild their top cylinders?

I have seen them advertised new, but it seems like they would just need some new seals to be as good as new (if you can take them apart).

I haven't seen any rebuild kits, so I am sure there is some reason why they can't be rebuilt. Just wanted to make sure before I started looking into new ones.

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I have 'rebuilt' them sucessfully when its just the top seal that is leaking. There is a little star washer that holds the seal in at the top of the piston. Pull it gently up so as you don't brake it. Once that is higher up on the shaft pull out the seal, you must pull it over the star washer and the crimped end. Go to a hardware store and find a rubber o-ring that is a match, lube it and then do the reverse. Its frustrating trying to put the new one back in and the star tab back into place, but not impossible and costs just pennies!

Just make sure it isn't leaking cause the piston shaft is rusty and pitted, no new seals will help then.

If the chrome on the ram arm has even the slightest rust or pitting I'd say replace over new seals as Mr A noted...

I guess the "top seal" is the one to keep the fluid from leaking out of the top around the shaft.

I haven't noticed any leaking fluid, so I guess that seal is OK.

I was mainly concerned with the inner seals. My top is really slow, and if I stop it halfway up, it will gradually slide back down. My pump recently went out also, so I thought it might have been having to work a little too hard.

I guess I will hang on to my cylinders a little while longer since it is not leaking externally. I just do not want to burn out a new pump cause it is being overworked.