45 years as lift tech and I've seen a lot of accidents with lifts.glad you got it done and safely I retired from a Clark dealer so I've done several of those in the field and also resealed
Them. again glad it's done and all is well !

Yup I got this all done and completed. I am an independent forklift tech. I took the cylinder to a hydraulic shop for the rebuild. I've never removed a single telescopic cylinder like this before.

This project takes a few blocks and chains to be safe. You really have to think about each step before you remove something else. There are a couple YouTube videos of this job as well. I luckily had a over head crane to remove the heavy cylinder once I got it all disconnected.

This is one of the most dangerous actions on a lift truck I know several people that have lost fingers , hands , arms and their life doing this
If you are uncertain about this repair get professional help if determined to repair ,chain with a good quality heavy chain then double it for security those are telescopic cyls
Not hard to disconnect but very heavy and bulky you will need another lift or another person to remove safety good luck and be safe
Remember no such thing as too many chains
As far as blocks be sure they are oak or other dense wood if you use them

Yes the carriage has to come out. Put the forks and carriage on top of a pallet. Using a C clamp, tighten one of the forks to the pallet.Pull the cotter pins for the carriage chains, take loose ,lay over the carriage and Raise the mast up to drop carriage out of the bottom and drive lift in reverse to free the carriage.install a 2 foot 4x4 block across the top of mast and 2nd rail. Let the mast down into the blocks of wood. Unbolt the four bolts in the back of rail, I believe it was a 12 point 5/8 socket and remove the snap ring on top. There will be two 5/16 bolts and nuts on the bottom rod mount and of course take the supply hydraulic hose off.