How to install piston without ring compressor???

[la400ex]

I dont have a ring compressor. I have heard that you can do it without one. How is this done? If it it too much trouble, i will just buy the compressor. Thanks, Ant.

[RiPPiNiTuP7]

Pinch the rings and slide the cylinder on :p Just be careful..it might be better if one person pinches the rings while another guides the cylinder on...

[mysticfalcon]

buy the compressor. its a pain in the bumbum. it takes 2 people and a half hour to do it. i guy pushing on the rings with his fingers whil the other pushes down on the cylinder. be carecul that teh piston dosent cut your fingers off against teh crankcase though

[2fastandfurious]

Rent the compresor or buy one. It sucks doing it without one
-Ben

[400grl]

What if you had a thin piece of sheet metal (real thin!) and wrapped that around the piston tight enough to compress the rings......would that work? You would still need two people, though.....

[worm]

thees no way t o use a ring compressor is there..,yuo put the piston in from the bottom ..i dont know enlighten me

[400grl]

When we had the Raptor tranny out we had to put the piston back in, and had to compress the rings to get it in.....did that with the fingers (MY FINGERS!)....when we put MY piston back in, we had the compressor.....it worked fine. That's what they are made for.......it fit fine. :)

[wilkin250r]

Originally posted by 400grl
What if you had a thin piece of sheet metal (real thin!) and wrapped that around the piston tight enough to compress the rings......would that work? You would still need two people, though.....

Not a chance. Any metal that would be thin enough (like aluminum foil) wouldn't have the strength to compress the rings.

Some machine shops chamfer the bottom of the sleeve so that the rings will compress themselves as they go in, a little wiggle is all it takes.

[Teufel]

Just use your fingers, it's no problem at all. I have done tons of them and have never used a ring compressor.

[TRX300X]

Like wilkin250R said put it in through the bottom. Sometimes it's still really hard to get the piston in through the bottom even with the ring compressor. Just make sure you lube up the cylinder and the rings real nice when you put it in, everything will slide together easier.

[465Stroker]

I always put the piston inside the cylinder just far enough that the wrist pin opening is visable on my work bench first, and then put the cylinder on far enough to get the wrist pin in.

[redrider ex]

I allways use my fingers to and its no problem for me but you can get some of those big zipp ties or some people call them wire ties and use them like a ring compresser.

[frogburner]

HOT-ROD and I put our pistons in without ring compressors,,, its not to bad,, just take your time and be patient,,, be sure to clean your cylinder wall with warm soapy water and piston too,, then oil them very good.... Good Luck to ya..

[sly400ex]

your awesome 400grl, you even work on 4wheelers!!! Back to the subject, I have installed several pistons without a ring compressor or anyone else's help....I didn't think it was that difficult at all.:rolleyes:

[400grl]

Thanks, Sly! ;) I like working on them almost as much as i like riding them!

[RED121572]

Ive rebuilt mine twice. The first time I had help. The second time I did it on my own with no compression tool. Its not that big of a deal. Pinch a ring and lower the jug. Pinch and lower, pinch and lower.....its not a huge deal. Key word though..."patients"

[nj300exr]

use a hose clamp to compress the rings, then slide piston in from bottom and viola works like a charm and cheap too