at the end where you have the plunger and your considering a slide hammer, what if you re-threaded the rod into it and pulled it out with ur truck like u talked about earlier?

Use compressed air on the rod end piston bolt hole. Be careful on how much pressure you apply as it could come apart with force.

you did a good job searching out the problem but have to say it was painful to watch you wrestle with that snap ring, less pounding is more too if you know what I mean. Obviously you are in a learning curve but as such all of us are reminded to do no damage of our own, just complicates the matter.

Not very often it’s the spool valve Most of the time it’s the piston seals if it’s a two way

Without watching the video I bet I can guess. The nut came off the rod and the piston is detached.

What about using a flywheel puller

I've seen 2 tack welds on that bolt to keep it from coming out.

Never seen anybody pound on the cylinder like that

MR. MIKE. HOW THE HECK YOU DOING?

This is painful to watch. Some people shouldn't be allowed to own tools.