Removing Ram from Rock Chucker (IV) Supreme?

[Taterhead]

My nearly 20 year old RC Supreme is normally smooth as butter, but it has developed a slight drag in the ram. It seems as if something tiny made its way into the casting and I can see an ever-so-slight drag mark on the ram. Not sure how anything could get in therr since it is still really tight.

I've tried excessively lubing and wiping down a number times hoping to weep it out, but no change. I think removing the ram and cleaning inside is the way to go.

Now... how to get the pin thingymabob out of the lower part of the ram? Does it just pound out?

Again, this is the 4th gen Rock Chucker.

[Sasquatch-1]

Call RCBS and ask to speak with a tech. They should be able to walk you through it. I had to replace one of the links on mine, but can't remember exactly what I did.

[Taterhead]

That's certainly the backup plan. They are typically more than helpful. Given that RCBS has been swamped, I thought I'd ask the brain trust here first.

[dswancutt]

I took a quick look at the parts schematic from RCBS and it looks like you should be able to drift the pin at the base of the ram out to free the ram. Now, how hard the pin is in the ram is the million dollar question.

Quick update. You should be able to unbolt the linkage arms from the part that holds the handle and drop it and the ram as one piece.

[15meter]

I took a quick look at the parts schematic from RCBS and it looks like you should be able to drift the pin at the base of the ram out to free the ram. Now, how hard the pin is in the ram is the million dollar question.

Quick update. You should be able to unbolt the linkage arms from the part that holds the handle and drop it and the ram as one piece.

Just drive the pin at the bottom of the ram. Taking the nut off the right end of the toggle will not let you slide out the long pin.

The long pin is pressed into the left link.

I just disassembled, cleaned and repainted a 1974 Rockchucker.

Don't know if the Supreme is configured differently.

Complete disassembly of a 1974 Rockchucker:


1) Remove handle

2) Remove nut on toggle

3) Drive out pin at bottom of ram.

4) Remove ram

5) With a long pin punch, go through center hole on top right hinge pin and drive out top left hinge pin

6) Swing left link down and remove it, and the toggle

7) With a long pin punch, reach through the left top hinge pin hole and drive out the top right hinge pin, careful that the link doesn't hit the floor when you drive out the hinge pin.

8) Clean and lube all pivoting surfaces. I used Lubriplate.

9) Re-assemble in reverse order.

That's going from old guy memory, taking it half apart to get the ram out, might as well clean and lube everything while you're at it. Make it work smoothly for a few more decades.

Might even consider a fresh coat of paint. Mine was past ugly.

Rust-Oleum makes a Dark Green Hammered that's darker, but looks, to my eye, better than the old seafoam green.

There's even a rather long and involved thread on repainting Rockchuckers.

[pertnear]

I searched YouTube & found 2 Rockchucker disassembly video's that might be of help. I don't know if I'm allowed to put links here on this forum so here are the 2 titles you can search for:

RCBS Rockchucker Teardown
RCBS Rock Chucker Restoration

[Taterhead]

Thanks everyone. After I figured it out jist now I came back to give an update.

1) Do NOT drive the bottom pin out. It is not a tension fit. Instead it will slide out easily after step 3.

2) optional: remove handle

3) loosen 1/8" hex nut in bottom of the ram. That retains the pin.

4) slide out pin. Nice and easy.

5) remove die collar/adapter so that ram can be removed out the top.

6) Slide ram out the top.

Easy!

[Taterhead]

All cleaned up and put back together. It was nice to see how tight and smooth everything was, including the linkages. Great press.

Turned out to not be debris causing the rubbing, but the very top of the opening in the frame had developed a small burr that was slightly dragging on the ram. Looked like it had been impacted from the top somehow. I don't remember doing anything that would have caused it, but nonetheless.

I gently honed it away and all is smooth and buttery again. Lubed everything and quick/easy re-assembly. Back in business for the next couple of decades.

[Taterhead]

Quick update. You should be able to unbolt the linkage arms from the part that holds the handle and drop it and the ram as one piece.

I thought about doing this after your suggestion, but studying further I noted that the top of the ram is a larger radius so it can only be removed from the top.

[15meter]

All cleaned up and put back together. It was nice to see how tight and smooth everything was, including the linkages. Great press.

Turned out to not be debris causing the rubbing, but the very top of the opening in the frame had developed a small burr that was slightly dragging on the ram. Looked like it had been impacted from the top somehow. I don't remember doing anything that would have caused it, but nonetheless.

I gently honed it away and all is smooth and buttery again. Lubed everything and quick/easy re-assembly. Back in business for the next couple of decades.

Apparently the Supreme is different than a vintage Rockchucker, mine doesn't have a retaining set screw to hold in the pin.

But you are back in business, that's all that counts.