In this video I show you how to fix a few common problems with your hydraulic floor jack. They are easy to repair and it can save you $150 – $200. Plus it ke…
In this video I show you how to fix a few common problems with your hydraulic floor jack. They are easy to repair and it can save you $150 – $200. Plus it ke…
You must be logged in to post a comment.
){kind=link}
First, (THIS IS FOR EVERYONE WHO MAY WANT MORE INFO)
Nice try at doing it yourself but I have some information for you and
others for use in the future, and hope it helps.
I have been in the hydraulic repair business since ’77, so I do have
experience in this area.
When trying to ‘Bleed air’ from a standard floor jack, whether it be an
import or American made, the best and easiest way to start is to turn your
release handle a full turn CCW and pump the jack about 5-6 times then close
the release, i.e, turn the handle CW till its closed.
It should now work, BUT if not you MAY be low on oil which is a result of
an oil leak either at the main ‘RAM or Pump Piston, Release, or rarely the
valves’.
To add oil, (NEVER OPEN THE TWO SCREWS at the top ) the Oil/ Vent plug is
ALWAYS on the oil reservoir located under the lifting arm/ saddle, it may
be easily visible or hidden out of sight as the fore-mentioned.
It may be just a rubber plug or a air vent/ screw type plug.
Always add oil when the jack is in the down position! The oil level should
be about 1/2′ from the top of the oil res.
Never use motor oil or brake fluid as you stated, BUT you can use ATF OR
hydraulic, mix if you want and believe me the seals in a floor jack are
made from the same material as in a transmission,
heck even new lifts call for ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid).
I have been using ATF in floor jack repair since I have started and never
had a ‘callback/ problem’ because of the oil.
I have even used it in auto-lifts way back when, and now they call for
it,lol.
If you feel that spending close to $10 a quart is the way to go then go for
it, you will be wasting money.
**NOW as to your removal of the hydraulic unit, first I must say I do not
repair ‘throw-aways’ because the repair cost would exceed a new cost, BUT
if you like the equipment it is worth it.
Ok, back to the latter, you went thru too much labor as seen before from
others to remove a unit.
Please look carefully because you missed the ‘cotter pin’ which when
removed the unit will come right out after the two/ four bolts have been
removed along with the springs.
To do this,
After you remove the two/ four bolts on the side of your jack (MUST BE ON
ITS SIDE AFTER BOLT REMOVAL) you simply pull out the jack/ unit from the
rear, near the handle, swing it out, pull off the springs, this may be
tough for some and PLEASE BE CAREFUL not to cut yourself, after that pull
out the cotter pin OR loosen the bolt that may be in its place, and voila,
the unit is out. ( some jacks do require the frame be split to remove the
unit, but this is easy)
Sorry for the long post, But I just want to be of help in my spare time to
you or anyone in the future.
If you or anyone needs help in the future, please email, and yes this info
is free unless you are in S. Ca. (lol) that’s how I make my living in the
Hydraulic Repair Business, Damn arthritis, hands killing me now, so time to
go.
Take it ez, Tom in Ca. – Owner Taylor Hydraulics
wow, that spring and retainer and spring retainer reminds me a lot of valve
springs of a car.
thanks man my famiry respeck on you.
Ummm aahhhh ahh umm ahh ummmm um ahh, and that’s how you fix your floor
jack. haha!
I loosened the fill screw with the jack UP and some oil slashed out and now
the jack doesn’t work at all now. What do I do? I’m trying to find an
animation or something that explains HOW a jack works. But I can’t find a
single video on this site. I guess thats a sign of the FUCKING times
because no one seems to be interested in learning how things work and
fixing them. I WANT to learn about all sorts of things but I can’t get the
info.
Great your just fixing it right there on the porch !!!
Good video as these China made units will drive us all mad.
the handle on my harbor freight jack keeps flying up when im finished
raising the car
By the way I enjoy the cheap jacks more. The once that are for 4×4 (bigger)
yet the hand and the bleeding valve a separate. They have great lifting
distance and of course they cost 1/3 of the price of a good jack. Of course
leaking and seals is a big problem but once you know how to replace them
you can pick them from the garbage and repair them.
um. Ah, ah, um, um. Ah, ah, um, um. Ah, ah, um, um. Ah, ah, um,
nice footage! … mine is a Chinese Hydraulic jack floor type! it leaks
continuously resulting the handler does not pump the entire designed head!
but yours seams gorgeous! … one thing! you recommended not to use motor
oil or gear fluid but only the hydraulic one! should i empty the jack first
then refill it with the fresh fluid?
Hi thank you for your video it was a big help you would have no idea how
many times i have been told its not worth fixing and what do you know it
was 100% worth fixing 🙂 now i am going to start buying stuffed jacks and
fixing them thank you so much for this :)
Hi Great video! I have the same exact floor jack and fairly new. recently
the jack stopped working. When I pumped it the jack just bled down
instantly. I tried bleeding it…you know the 20 pumps with the shut off
valve open. I noticed around the piston or pump shaft that it was a bit
moist. It had a little leak. Now here’s the problem it wasn’t leaking out
to the point where the fluid level was to low or was pumping out under
pressure, the first thing i did was top it off, but air was being sucked in
by the piston seals (o-rings) causing the fluid to not refill the reservoir
area quick enough. In other words the resistance was less for the air to
come in than for the fliud to refill the piston area, I ordered some
o-rings from mcmaster carr.com hopefully that will do it. I noticed the
hydraulic fluid in the reservoir was all air-rated with very, very small
micro bubbles leading me to believe I was causing this with the pumping
action. I’ll let you and your followers know the out come in a few days.
thanks for the insight!
dude, I like the fact that you use GoPro for your video. I love wide angle
photography. More people should use head camera for their DIY videos. It’s
really gives you great perspective of things.
Dude. Thank you!
What make/model jack is it?
What brand is that? I I’m currently in the market for a new jack and I’m
looking around to see what other people have and if they’re happy with
them. Thanks
Great video!
Broken floor jack? No problem! Fix it!