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Broken 550 :(


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Broken 550 :(

I broke my 550.

Not sure what I did.

But the ram refuses to go far enough to seat primers.

I've had the press for almost 3 years now.

So I'm not a noob.

I took it all apart even removed the priming system & the Shellplate Platform.

Cleaned it & re-greased the ram, to no avail.

I hate having to wait til Monday.

Any constructive ideas?

Nothing looks broken or bent, but something sure ain't right.

Thanks in advance

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I'm trying to remember the 550. My spent primer chute would get bent and catch on the frame and stop the press cold in it's tracks. Just don't remember if it was on the primer seating stroke. Look under there and see if it is leaning to the side. That's what mine looked like when it would get bent.

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Found the problem.

Part Number 13409, the Crank, is cracked & splitting apart.

A call to Dillon tomorrow (Monday) & I'll be back in business by the end of the week.

Now my question is:... How do I get those pins out?

crank.jpg

Edited by Hondo 60
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When you talk to Dillon, tell them you have a old shaft that has "E" clips. I also had the same casting crack, the new casting uses a different shaft that goes thru the link arms. You will also have to remove one of the link arms to install the new link arm pin. The old parts come out easier than the new parts go in. You can message me if you run into trouble.

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AND, while you have them on the line ask for an alignment tool. You will want it when you go to put the platform back together. They should not have a problem giving you one. Gave me one.

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Hondo, I had the same problem as you about a year ago. My press is more than 15 years old and the crank Dillon sent me to replace my broken one had been redesigned with improved webbing to help prevent the cracking problem. Changing the crank wasn't too hard of a job, and they asked me if I had an alignment tool. I didn't have one so they sent one along with the crank at no charge!

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I did NOT get to call Dillon today.

Had an emergency with one of my Great Danes.

She tried to remove her entire toe nail & it wouldn't stop bleeding.

But thanks for the tips about the "E clips" & alignment tool.

I'll call 'em Tuesday

b&r.jpg

Edited by Hondo 60
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Styptic powder didn't help. She kept licking it, so it couldn't scab over.

I even tried the cone thing.

She freaked when she saw it, so I never got it on her.

Anyway, thanks for the tips all.

Dillon sent a package to me today.

I already got the tracking number too.

Great folks at Dillon!

Edited by Hondo 60
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I have had the same problem with my Dillon at least 3 times.I use to send it in but now i just change it my self.

Either way Dillon takes good care of you.

In the futher just give them a call and let them know whats going on and they can tell you what you need to do.

Good luck.

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There is a small set-screw on the very bottom of the ram. Loosening that will free up the shaft that runs thru it and the top of the broken link.

The shaft thru the bottom of the link is removed by taking off one of the e-clips. The shaft then just pushes out.

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I'm not talking about part # 13830 (the Main Shaft Pivot Pin - the rod with the set screw).

I'm asking how to replace # 13700 (Link Arm Pin).

The old one was just pounded out all in one direction.

The new Link Arm Pin has a nut on both ends, & cannot go in the way the old one came out.

One of the Link Arms has to be removed in order to get the pin in.

And I don't know how to replace it.

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The right side link arm upper pin is hollow, drive the left side pin out by using a rod/screwdriver, etc. Drive it just far enough so that the left side link arm can be removed, install the new parts and drive the left link arm pin back into the casting. Best to remove any parts (handle) that can get in the way. Hope this helps.

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I've broken that part as well and Dillon sent a rod to remove the link arm pins along with the parts. Looking at it a moment ago, it's just a VERY large carpentry nail, 5.5" long with the point ground square to slide through the RH side pin and pound out the LH side pin.

Mark

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