[mcguyver]

No, it is a flaw in the manufacturing. It is not repairable.

What they did was machine a stainless steel tube. Then, the machined the core which contains the piston guides out of aluminum, and pressed it all together. The core was machined with an ID too large for the piston, so this piston has too much play. What happens is that the piston wiggles around, and when under spring tension, reduces the amount of gear lash between the piston rack and the sector gear.

In a new cylinder, it wil work for awhile, and then when the rack gear teeth get worn a bit, specifically the last tooth, the sector gear no longer mates the rack and you get an awful grinding noise and no joy.

I had thought perhaps a strip of Teflon or similar material glued to the top of the piston might be the trick, but getting it simply hasn't been worth the effort for me at this time.