What Causes Hydraulic Cylinder Failure?

Hydraulic cylinders are an extremely important part of a heavy piece of equipment; however, just like any mechanical part, they can and do fail when they are not properly maintained. Seal failure is the most common form of failure. Seals are there to keep the hydraulic fluid in the cylinder and dirt and moisture out. Seals can fail due to wear, friction, heat, or the use of poor materials.

As seals wear out, they become less effective and will not keep hydraulic fluid inside or moist and dirt outside. Loss of hydraulic fluid reduces your hydraulic system performance, and sometimes can create dangerous operating conditions.

Contamination is another source of failure. Dirt, dust, metal shavings, and dirty hydraulic oil can scratch the internal cylinder wall surface, damaging dynamic seals and leading to premature wear.

Overloading through improper cycle counts and excessive weight can bending the piston rod or an excessively sticky or misaligned I-beam can put undue stress on the seals, other moving parts in the hydraulic cylinder.

Poor maintenance will cause failures as well. Homeowners and contractors their worst sin is too be cautious about repairs, therefore do not address small issues such as leaks, because they are conscious of the repair costs and just let them be. Oil filters, oil changes and inspections are not given attention, and we see minor maintenance issues become repairs that can be really expensive.

Read this article for more information- [Hydraulic Cylinder Problems and Their Causes](https://hydraulicpumprepairing.wordpress.com/2025/09/01/what-causes-hydraulic-cylinder-failure/)

How can you avoid hydraulic cylinder failures?

1. Use clean oil, and check for contaminants and oil quality.
2. Regularly check seals and rods.
3. If you see the first signs of a leak, replace the seal.
4. Do not overload your systems capacity.
5. Cleaning, periodic performance checks, and regular maintenance will ensure a longer service life for the hydraulic cylinder and consequentially longer service life for your equipment while also preventing downtime.

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