5. Draw out piston rod slowly, supporting it at both ends as it leaves cylinder. Hold recoil valve in cylinder with ends of fingers. Keep receptacle under front of cylinder to catch surplus oil.
6. Drain surplus oil from piston rod by holding vertically over receptacle with piston down and holding buffer rod in place.
7. Rest piston rod on blocks, remove buffer-bushing locking screw, and unscrew buffer bushing, holding piston rod by wrench on flats at front end of rod. Have supporting blocks under both ends of rod so that rod will not be strained.
8. Draw out buffer rod carefully.
9. Draw out recoil valve with fingers. Remaining parts can now be easily disassembled. Buffer head is locked in place with bronze pin, which must be driven out before head can be unscrewed.
III. To Assemble Recoil Cylinder.
This operation is the reverse of II. Be sure that all gaskets and locking screws and pins are replaced and are in good condition. Be sure that all parts of mechanism are perfectly clean and dry, and that oil is clean. Oil must be strained through double thickness of clean cloth and if clean oil is not available use new oil. Do not make piston-rod gland too tight. Tighten with hand and screw up with wrench one additional notch to lock gland. Fill recoil cylinder before replacing on carriage, as follows:
(a) With drain plug in place and filling plugs out, pour hydroline oil into filling hole slowly to avoid the formation of air bubbles.
(b) When oil is level in filling-plug openings, tilt cylinder slightly to allow escape of air and replenish oil.
(c) Loosen filling plug in front end of piston rod enough to allow oil to drip, and tighten plug.