Rock chucker help

S

sookie_69

CGN Regular
Rating - 98.8%
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Location
Okanagan
Just picked this up in a deal as a spare but it seemed a bit stiff. Pulled the bottom pin to clean the ram but it is smooth. Handle also moves smoothly with the pin disconnected. While watching it move all hooked up it looks like this pin may be bent. Is is replaceable? How do you get it out? Thanks.
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Thanks. Tried gently tapping it out but after looking at thought it might be press fit in and didn’t want to take the chance of bending it further or killing the threads.
 
I dunno about replacing it. Their website says warranty is only for original purchaser with proof of purchase. Hopefully they can fix it though. My other rock chucker is smooth all the way through
 
Be careful because this may be a shoulder pin like on the Lee Classic Cast. If it is then it can't be removed by tapping out. I'm not sure of the design of this press. As Laurencen pointed out go to the website for info.
 
I have had my Rockchucker press since 1973 and I doubt that pin is bent due to its size. If the press sat for any time my guess would be corrosion from lack of lubrication.
Use some penetrating oil like Kroil on all the pivot points and let it soak overnight.

Use a flashlight and see if if a primer anvil fell into the joint between the ram and arms. Also check the small pin on the base of the ram is centered and not working out. ;)

Again I do not think you have any 800 pound Gorillas in Canada that have been using a Rockchucker press.
 
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bigedp51 said:
I doubt that pin is bent due to its size. If the press sat for any time my guess would be corrosion from lack of lubrication.
Use some penetrating oil like Kroil on all the pivot points and let it soak overnight.
Click to expand...

Agreed - it would take 'massive' amounts of pressure to bend that (short and thick) shaft.

If you have some acetone, mix 50:50 with ATF (transmission fluid). Best penetrant around.
 
go to the RCBS website, send them a email with a picture and may take a day but they will reply back what to look for and how to remove the pin, if its damaged they will send replacement parts

one thing to check, when the handle is pulled it does apply pressure on the ram slightly off center, if the ram or housing is dry or slight rust it tightens up, try some lube on the ram and see if it loosens up

parts diagram shows a washer under the nut, looks like yours was removed with a channel lock by markings on the flats, here is the manual

http://rcbs.com/RCBS/media/RCBSMedia/PDFs/Instructions/English (EN)/A-3_Press_Instructions.pdf
 
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I’ve disassembled as far as removing the bottom pin and lubing the ram and all other parts. Took a bottle brush to all the holes for pins and lubed everything. When it’s apart everything moves smoothly. As soon as I put the bottom pin back in there is resistance through the entire stroke except for about a 1/2 inch in the middle......which leads me to believe something is bent. I have a second rock chucker mounted 5 feet away and it’s smooth through the entire stroke.
 
If you roll the pin on a flat surface does it wobble? I still have doubts that something other than trying to lift a large truck with it could bend that pin.
 
Did you put a straight edge across the pin and do you see any excessive rub marks.

The only time I have ever had a problem with any pin on my old Rockchucker is when the small upper pins work loose and bind.
 
If I could get the big pin out I could tell for sure. Sent rcbs an email about whether or not it’s removable. Don’t want to start smashing when it’s still useable. No wobble or marks on the other pins.
 
can you put slight pressure on the ram as you pull handle and see if its still got a tight spot? does the unit twist as the handle is pulled?

another thing you could try is remove the cross pin on the ram and rotate 180 degrees, if its worn on the side or bowed as mentioned it will feel different rotated
 
Did you scrub the ram with a good solvent and relube lightly?
Sometimes there is just too much crud (does not look like it when you look at it) on the thing for it to slide nice.
 
laurencen said:
can you put slight pressure on the ram as you pull handle and see if its still got a tight spot? does the unit twist as the handle is pulled?

another thing you could try is remove the cross pin on the ram and rotate 180 degrees, if its worn on the side or bowed as mentioned it will feel different rotated
Click to expand...

A bit of a gap opens up on that toggle pin when cycled. Going to go and try tap it out again.
 
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