FP Ram Mod'

Ive opened up Merlins ram today, after we kept getting bits of rubber in the burkerts, it was just the rubber ring breaking down, we had put it in to take the impact from piston on end cap(not bad since its over a year old and never been checked). But i was just looking at the ram (a modified hydraulic ram) and wondered wether i could remove to top seal unit (see profile, the bit in the middle). As the only reason i can see for it was to provided the seal on the downstroke, but seeing as we run single acting we dont need it. I suppose it could help to stop the piston from leaning or twisting if a force is on at an angle, if so could i just replace it with a nylon one?

I use normaly UHMPE to provide a top bushing and no backstop in rubber.

So if the top of the ram can take the hits, you should do fine by replacing the top seal with something else. Like nylon or bronze.