Once removed from the forklift, they can be disassembled and rebuilt and reinstalled like most other hydraulic cylinders. You can purchase a cylinder seal kit containing every seal that should be replaced to rebuild the lift cylinder.
Things You Will Need
Disassemble the Cylinder
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Bring the lift cylinder to a clean work space and remove any hydraulic caps and plugs from the cylinder's fluid ports.
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Empty the lift cylinder hydraulic fluid into a bucket or other container.
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Clamp the lift cylinder in a bench vise.
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Unscrew the gland nut from the rod end of the lift cylinder. Some cylinders may have an additional retaining device, such as a snap ring that will have to be removed first.
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Pull the piston rod out of the cylinder and clamp it in a soft-jawed vise.
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Remove the nut or bolt holding the piston to the piston rod if the rod and piston are separate parts.
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Pull the piston and gland off of the piston rod.
Reseal the Cylinder
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Remove the seals from the piston and the gland with a seal pick.
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Clean all the lift cylinder parts with a safe, petroleum-based solvent, then air dry the parts.
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Install new seals from the lift cylinder seal kit onto all the cylinder parts.
Reassemble the Cylinder
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Slide the gland back onto the piston rod, and then attach the piston. Reinstall the nut or bolt that holds the piston.
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Slide the piston rod assembly back into the lift cylinder barrel.
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Tighten the gland nut or reinstall the snap ring or other retaining device at the rod end of the cylinder.