Procedure for RLA seals change (TDS 8SA & 1000)
Removing of RLA from TD
1. Prior to this, Saver sub, IBOPs, tool joint lock have to be removed. (Upper IBOP is
optional to be removed if the RLA stand is high enough) RLA weight around 2.5ton.
RLA gear/
positioning gear
Link tilt crank PH100 Retaining bar
and pin
Tool joint lock
Gate
Gate hinge pin
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Dowel pin
2. Remove the link tilt crank by removing the link tilt cylinder clevis pins and the pivot
crank shaft.
3. Turn the PH100 to direction accessible by rig winch for ease of removing later.
4. Log out tag out the hydraulic to top drive. Turn the directional control valve to
shutdown/service mode at the counterbalance manifold. Check pressure gauge C3 and
C4 drop to zero.
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Counterbalance
PRV PC4
Counterbalance
Pressure Gauge C4
5. Get the shipping brace ready to remove the motor alignment cylinder. Motor alignment
cylinder pressure need to be bled of via the motor alignment manifold through needle
valve (NV, turn counter clockwise and sizzling sound can be heard) at the manifold, at
the same time install the shipping brace. (With the pressure bleeding down, the main
shaft will pivot away from guide rail, at one point the shipping brace bolt can be
installed easily when the hole is aligned.) Check and make sure the pressure gauge at
the motor alignment cylinder drop to zero.
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Shipping Brace
bolts
6. Removed the quick coupling of hydraulic service loop at the top drive side.
7. Remove the motor alignment cylinder hose then remove the motor alignment cylinder
through the rod and clevis pins.
8. Removed the hoses for PH100, cap and plug off. (tag if required, multiple 3/8” and 1/2”
JIC plug and cap will be needed)
The back of RLA main body (1000 TON)
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9. Hang off the PH100, take off the weight and then remove the retaining bar and pipe
handler pin (2 sides) to remove the PH100.
10. Remove the shotpin/hydraulic drive assembly.(4 x 7/8” UNC inner hex bolt, 3/4 allen key)
11. Tag all hoses of the RLA and remove then cap off.
12. Prepare the RLA stand then lower top drive slowly to let the RLA weight rest on the
stand.
13. Remove the landing collar sleeve and then the 2 half of the collar. (6 x 1/2” bolts, 3/4”
socket). Make sure that the weight of the RLA is not sitting on the landing collar before
removing, there will be a gap between landing collar to RLA main body when weight is
off.
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Crown nut and
cotter pin
Landing collar
sleeve
14. Remove the crown nut (with cotter pin) at lower case that holding on to the RLA stem to
gearbox.
15. Slowly pull up TD and RLA will be landing on the stand. Mark the position of the stand’s
leg if you wish. Take note of the RLA stem dowel pin location to hole at lower gear case.
The lower gear case gasket can be reused during installation if it is not damage. Apply
some gasket sealant during installation.
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Dismantling and Removing of RLA seals
1. Bring the RLA assembly to a clean place and have proper lifting available if possible
before start changing the seals.
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2. Set the RLA down with the main body sitting on some wood block.
Mounting bolts
3. Removed all the mounting bolts (1” UNC) for RLA gear onto the main body.
4. Inspect and remove the bull gear lip seals.
2 lip seals
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5. Lift of the RLA stem with gear off the main body then laid it upside down on some wood
block as well. (Try to lift on 4 points for stability, 1 ton soft sling)
RLA Gear
6. Remove the retainer ring and then heat up the piston ring to between 80-90 0C (Use
heating torch and avoid cutting torch if possible) to remove it and the O-ring. (Can use
wood and pry bar to pry it out but be careful not to damage the piston ring unless have
spare)
Retainer ring
Piston ring
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7. Remove the RLA gear out with its wiper seal and rotary glyd ring, take note of the
direction.
Rotary glyd ring
Wiper seal (blue
color)
Dowel Pins to Main
body (take note of
location)
RLA home
position
indicator bolt
(take note of
location)
8. Inspect the spirawave spring, thrust ball bearing and bearing grease retainer. (Only for
RLA 1000 ton). Inspect the thrust ring (Only for RLA 750 ton)
Spirawave spring
(grease before
installation back)
9. Clean up the RLA gear and stem, flush all hydraulic ports with thinner then air dry.
10. Remove all rotary glyd ring (11 for RLA 750 ton; 15 for RLA 1000 ton), 2 turcite bushing,
1 glyde ring and 1 O-ring on the RLA main body.
11. Clean up the RLA hydraulic ports as of for the stem.
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Installation of new RLA seals and assembles
1. Install the wiper seals and rotary glyd ring with grease apply on it. Then install the RLA
gear into the stem.
2. Install O-ring for the piston ring at the same time heat up the piston ring then install it.
(if possible, use bearing heater for more precise temperature control) (Use wood and
bras bar to tap it in place to make sure it flush)
Groove for
Retainer ring
Groove for O-
ring
3. Install the retainer ring.
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4. After cleaning of the main body, change all the seals as stated in No. 10 above. Use
hydraulic oil for the rotary glyd ring and glyde ring while use normal grease for other.
O-ring
Glyde Ring
Turcite Bushing
Rotary Glyd Ring
5. Carefully turn the stem around then lift it up and install back into the main body. Be
careful of the turcite bushing might fall out of its groove (top and bottom). Might need
to use bras bar to knock on the RLA stem to push it in.
6. Clean up the bolts, apply anti seize then install to RLA main body and torque to 450 ft-lb
then lock wire. (Or follow DS00008 torque specification)
7. Install the bull gear lip seals.
Pressure test RLA
1. Prepare suitable JIC fittings and a hand pump for pressure testing.
2. Make sure the pump itself can hold pressure up to 3000PSI and 10 minutes.
3. Pressure test 1 port at a time and leave the neighboring 2 ports (left and right) empty,
do not cap them off.
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4. While leave one end open, slowly flush the port with hydraulic and bleed the air out. (It
is better to pressure at the RLA main body to ease bleeding of air off the top of the RLA
stem)
5. For L port-RLA lift, the inlet and outlet is the same, so need more time to bleed of the
air by pressurizing then release pressure.
6. Once done bleeding air, slowly pump the pressure up to 100PSI then stop for a while.
7. Bleed of the pressure, then pump to 1000PSI and hold for 1 minute.
8. Do the same for 2000PSI.
9. Finally pressure up to 3000 PSI and hold for 10 minutes, there should not have pressure
drop more than 150 PSI in 10 minutes.
10. Remember to flush of ports that are meant for air function with compress air after
pressure test complete.
Installation of RLA to top drive.
1. Reverse the procedure from how the RLA was removed.
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