Echo CS590 question

[a. palmer jr.]

Installing a piston on an Echo CS590 and noticed that, unlike most saws, this piston has a flat washer on both sides of the piston where the pin goes through. I was wondering if these are really necessary since most other brands leave them out. If the parts are made right I doubt if there's any side thrust on the piston.

 

[NSEric]

You need them.
Without the washers there's a gap between the side of the rod and the piston, this can allow the bearing to come part way out of the rod and wear out quickly.

 

[ballisticdoughnut]

Assemble it exactly as it came apart. Those washers are there for a reason.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

Any thoughts on an easy way to install them without them coming out during assembly? Should I put some thick grease on them to hold them in place?

 

[numnutz6383]

Any thoughts on an easy way to install them without them coming out during assembly? Should I put some thick grease on them to hold them in place?

I'm wondering the same thing. My Jonsered 910 also has them.

 

[Chevboy0167]

A couple of dabs of molybdenum grease couldn't hurt. Real "stringy" stuff!

 

[singinwoodwackr]

Installing a piston on an Echo CS590 and noticed that, unlike most saws, this piston has a flat washer on both sides of the piston where the pin goes through. I was wondering if these are really necessary since most other brands leave them out. If the parts are made right I doubt if there's any side thrust on the piston.

Come on, admit it…you had extra parts left over from assembly and you’re trying to justify it.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

I just did a piston replacement on an Echo 620 and had to deal with those washers. I put one snap ring in the piston ahead of assembly. I used grease to hold the washers in place. I also put a small dial rod through to keep things in place as I installed the piston pin. It has a slight press fit

 

[a. palmer jr.]

Okay, I went ahead and installed the washers. I used a little bit of Stihl assembly grease to hold them in place and it only took 2 or 3 times to finally get the pin in. I think Echo copied Stihl's circlips which I never was fond of. I like the old ones Echo had with the two little ears on them that made installation easy. Now all I have to do is wait for a cylinder gasket to get here. As always, thanks for the replies.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

Well, I guess I told less than the truth when I said I installed the washers. As it turns out, I only installed one of the washers. I guess while I wasn't looking one of them slipped out and when I went to start the saw the washer ended up between the piston and the cylinder! It didn't hurt the cylinder but it messed the piston up real good. I just ordered a new piston from Lil Red Barn...The saw is all apart...again!

 

[rahtreelimbs]

Well, I guess I told less than the truth when I said I installed the washers. As it turns out, I only installed one of the washers. I guess while I wasn't looking one of them slipped out and when I went to start the saw the washer ended up between the piston and the cylinder! It didn't hurt the cylinder but it messed the piston up real good. I just ordered a new piston from Lil Red Barn...The saw is all apart...again!

Might have been better going with an OEM piston. I haven't heard a whole lot of good things about Lil Red Barn. Pistons.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

Might have been better going with an OEM piston. I haven't heard a whole lot of good things about Lil Red Barn. Pistons.

An OEM piston is what just got destroyed. Thought I'd try something different. Still using the OEM cylinder. I have so much money in this saw that I bought the cheapest piston. Maybe this piston won't require those washers.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

An OEM piston is what just got destroyed. Thought I'd try something different. Still using the OEM cylinder. I have so much money in this saw that I bought the cheapest piston. Maybe this piston won't require those washers.

You will need the thrust washers. Just pay particular attention to the piston pin retaining clips. They are not known to hold well on the Lil Red pistons.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

You will need the thrust washers. Just pay particular attention to the piston pin retaining clips. They are not known to hold well on the Lil Red pistons.

I doubt this saw is gonna see much use, maybe as a back up. If it was mine I would have already parted it out. Right now I'm just trying to get it going as cheap as possible since I already have too much money in it.

 

[a. palmer jr.]

You will need the thrust washers. Just pay particular attention to the piston pin retaining clips. They are not known to hold well on the Lil Red pistons.

In their ad for the piston I didn't see any washers, maybe I'm supposed to re-use the old ones..

 

[a. palmer jr.]

Since one of the washers got destroyed in the first build I decided to not use them on the new piston. There's quite a bit of side play but there's side play in some of the other saws I've rebuilt. Anyway, I have it back together and maybe tomorrow I'll slip out and try to fire it up.