Caterpillar C-3406B / C-346 — Slave Piston Maintenance
Maintenance
For the Caterpillar C-3406B / C-346, from the Caterpillar service manual.
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Before you start
- Wear safety glasses; the slave piston is retained by springs under heavy compression and could be discharged with enough force to cause personal injury.
Procedure
- Remove the locknut on the slave piston adjusting screw and back out the adjusting screw until the slave piston is fully retracted.
- Using an arbor press or suitable clamp, slowly apply pressure to the retainer and remove the snap ring.
- Relieve the clamping pressure gradually until the springs are free.
- Remove the retainer, springs and slave piston; check for nicks or burrs that could cause binding.
- Clean the piston in approved cleaning solvent and run a small wire through any bleed holes.
- Replace the piston if the ground surface on the outside diameter is questionable; reassemble all parts in reverse order.
Tools required
Tool links are Amazon searches (affiliate links); manufacturer special tools may only be available from a dealer.
Source: Caterpillar service manual. Steps and values are as documented; always cross-check against the official manual and any later revisions for your exact serial number before servicing.