About two years ago I bought a new Ram for my RCBS II press because I would get a squeak when the ram on my RCBS II press would cycle. I greased it with some silicone grease which worked for a while and then the squeak came back. I cleaned it and used gun oil and the squeak went away but came back with about every 50 rounds I loaded so I just decided to get a new ram from RCBS and today I swapped it out. I used the press as if I was reloading and now squeak was gone, Hope changing the ram took care of the squeak. I also belled about 2 hundred rounds of 30 carbine and not one squeak. I don't know how old this RCBS II is (I had it willed to be from a relative) but I would guess about 50-75 years old, and I don't know how many rounds it has loaded but NOW have a date to start from. I load 40's, 9mm's, 38spls, .223 Rem's & 5.56 Nato's, and 30 Carbine. I have also loaded 270 Win's, 308 Win's, and 3030 Win's but not many, about 100 of each a few times.
CHANGED RAM ON MY RCBS SUPREME II PRESS!!
- Thread starter 74man
- Start date
Bazoo
Member
Interesting, thank you for sharing.
Did RCBS charge you for the new ram?
Did RCBS charge you for the new ram?
Yes they charge me the invoice was #53.95 with shipping. I have the invoice somewhere but not available right now so I don't remember how much. I wrote to them about the squeak and they told me to clean the shaft and to slick the shaft with either gun oil or grease. Both worked to remove the squeal for a little while but the squeak kept coming back so I decided to replace the ram and we shall see it that eliminates the squeak, I think it will, but you never can be sure. I also changed the rods, the bottom rod of the ram and the actuating rod arms cause I couldn't be sure where the sound was coming from. Like I said, I don't know how old this press is but the squeak had me even though everything worked fine when reloading. The squeak bothered me. We shall see if replacing the ram does the trick. It doesn't squeak at the moment with the new ram but it could be something else in the future. We'll see.
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CoalCrackerAl
Member
My Lee turret press does that now and then. I clean it up. Lube with WD 40 dry lube. It's good to go for awhile.
CQB45ACP
Member
Changed all that? Now you'll never actually know what fixed it
When the Ram was out, were you able to polish inside the bore of the press, where the ram resides? Not the easiest area to access, but some very fine grit sandpaper wrapped on a dowel would be my recommendation should the squeak come back.
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I took some valve lapping compound 220 grit on a cotton bore mop and then 180 grit on a cotton bore mop and worked it in the bore about 5-6 times with each grit. I didn't see anywhere it could have been rubbing to make that squeak but it is not making that squeak now, I hope it fixed it. The press was made in 1982 according to the 82 stamped under the die nut on top.
Bazoo
Member
I'm surprised they didn't send you a replacement for free. I'm sure you could sell the old ram and recoup some of the money. I'd guess $20 plus shipping.
FROGO207
Member
Mine squeeked and randomly would bind up. Took it apart, polished the bore with a brake hone, (one with all the little abrasive balls) and polished the outside of the ram. Now it works well but I do use dry silicone lube on the ram and linkage at the start of each session just to make sure it runs freely.
Charlie98
Member
You beat me to it... I was going to suggest looking there.
One other thing you could have done, is turn the ram around 180^ and try it that way... unless you use the primer arm (assuming it has one, I'm not that familiar with that press.)
