WGP STO Rams - what’s best way to get them apart for a rebuild?

[Blackmagic71]

Over the years I’ve accumulated a decent number of WGP STO rams in my parts box that are in good cosmetic condition, but the seals are old.

Shocktech rams that I’ve purchased recently will twist apart relatively easily by hand, but these WGP STO rams are stubborn enough to probably require tools of some kind.

Whats the best way to get them apart without causing any idiot marks?

[Ecapnation]

Honestly....

Invest is a collet block.

Worth the money

[Blackmagic71]

Honestly....

Invest is a collet block.

Worth the money

I’m not opposed to buying something new, but I’m not familiar with collet blocks. Do you have a link to one that would work?

[Ecapnation]

It's a machining tool it uses collets from a mill off hand no but Amazon carries a few

The 5c style is going to be the best option....then you buy a collet that matches the ram tube diameter

[latches109]

put the ram in a soft jaw vice - with or without rubber sheet - depends on the soft jaw material. Take a 7/16 wrench and a heat gun. Heat the ram base, while applying counter clockwise tension on the ram cap base. Once the locktite melts it will screw right off. I can do one in ~5 min. They are easy to rebuild, long as the 006 oring in the base doesn't give you too much trouble.

don't torque down on the ram housing too much and bend it. be super careful

[maggot]

Step 1: buy these for your vice if you don't already have them: https://www.amazon.com/Vise-Jaws-Mul...zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Step 2: Heat the ram using a torch until you see a puff of smoke (boiling loctite) to break the loctite.

Will be very easy to disassemble after

[latches109]

Those vapors are not great for us. It will release before the smoke point, unless it’s palmers then you’ll need to melt down the whole part.

[Blackmagic71]

It’s kinda late since I just purchased it, but thoughts on this?

[Psycho91]

Let us know how it works, I'm curious, wonder if the space is small enough to get a good grip on a ram housing

[Blackmagic71]

The wrench arrived tonight and I tested it successfully on a ram with plenty of pre-existing idiot marks.

No additional heat was required and it doesn’t appear to have caused any additional marks.

10/10 would recommend.