Floor Jack Maintenance
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,235
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Floor Jack Maintenance
I haven't upgraded from the my 3 ton floor jack to a four-post so need some help. It jacks to about half its height and than I can feel it loses pressure to jack further. The handle goes limp.
I topped off the hydraulic fluid and pumped several times trying to move air out but after 3-4 pump ups and releases...it still wimps out at about half its jacking height. What's the fix?
I topped off the hydraulic fluid and pumped several times trying to move air out but after 3-4 pump ups and releases...it still wimps out at about half its jacking height. What's the fix?
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,056
Likes: 99
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
don't know if this helps out, but the standard procedure to bleed a hydraulic jack involves opening the bleeder valve, filling with oil, having someone stand on the jack pad, and pumping the jack handle repeatedly to "pump" air out of it. closing the valve and pumping the jack under pressure (lifting something or standing on it to apply resistance). this is usually repeated at least 4 or 5 times before results are realized. keep in mind that it is also possible that the jack piston is "leaking" and allowing fluid by-pass. if that is the case, it requires a professional rebuild as most better jacks are not user servicable.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
I agree with srs244, you need to re-build the seal kit. I like your discription (goes limp). Maybe you can get some "viagra hydraulic oil" 
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,235
Likes: 898
From: Myrtle Beach SC
Originally Posted by Glass Act
I agree with srs244, you need to re-build the seal kit. I like your discription (goes limp). Maybe you can get some "viagra hydraulic oil"
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 88,393
Likes: 2
From: eville in
Originally Posted by James1970
Only thing I will add here is to not rely soley on the floor jack. Always use back-up such as jack stands...block the tires too.
Best,
Nagging Father
Best,
Nagging Father
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,326
Likes: 786
From: Redondo Beach, California
I'd feel more comfortable buying a new jack, but I'd prefer to buy a quality jack, say a Craftsman from Sears.
Another think to consider when buying a jack is controllability. You'd like a jack that you can accurately move a load up and down by 1/8 or a 1/16 of an inch. I have a new steel Craftsman jack and it has this kind of controllability. I have also a new all aluminum Craftsman "racing" jack. It's not very controllable. If you try to turn the handle to slightly lower a load, the "racing" jack tends to collapse and drop an inch or more.
Another think to consider when buying a jack is controllability. You'd like a jack that you can accurately move a load up and down by 1/8 or a 1/16 of an inch. I have a new steel Craftsman jack and it has this kind of controllability. I have also a new all aluminum Craftsman "racing" jack. It's not very controllable. If you try to turn the handle to slightly lower a load, the "racing" jack tends to collapse and drop an inch or more.
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Pro
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 624
Likes: 24
From: Shoreline WA
I've got one of those modest-priced Craftsman 2 1/4 ton with a pair of stands. Came as a set, and replaced an old used one (? brand). Works great!
A good question is: "Why do I trust a rebuilt starter motor or alternator but not a rebuilt floor jack?" Dunno ....
A good question is: "Why do I trust a rebuilt starter motor or alternator but not a rebuilt floor jack?" Dunno ....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,545
Likes: 3
From: 406ci SB, AFR 180 Heads - 490 HP @5,600 RPM 529 lb-ft @ 4,100 RPM
Originally Posted by Carl Granquist
I've got one of those modest-priced Craftsman 2 1/4 ton with a pair of stands. Came as a set, and replaced an old used one (? brand). Works great!
A good question is: "Why do I trust a rebuilt starter motor or alternator but not a rebuilt floor jack?" Dunno ....
A good question is: "Why do I trust a rebuilt starter motor or alternator but not a rebuilt floor jack?" Dunno ....
I have rebuilt mine twice and it's 20 years old. Mostly the seals dry out because we don't use them often enough. After 2 rebuilds (seals) mine works as good as the day I bought it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 6,689
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
St. Jude Donor '15
Look carefully at the Craftsman jacks. I just bought a 3.5 ton unit (complete with jack stands) on sale and had a devil of a time bleeding the air. The rubber plug is a pain to get out and even worse getting back in. BTW, it's made in China, just like the other inexpensive jacks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 4
Originally Posted by C5 RV
Look carefully at the Craftsman jacks. I just bought a 3.5 ton unit (complete with jack stands) on sale and had a devil of a time bleeding the air. The rubber plug is a pain to get out and even worse getting back in. BTW, it's made in China, just like the other inexpensive jacks.
Recently purchased a "mid-grade" Craftsman jack...Made In China. Doesn't have a quality feel/look. Not sure how long it's going to last. It is "fine-tuneable", but I keep one eye on it and always back-up with jackstands.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Santee CA
Originally Posted by comp
that ain't NAGGING
Nope. My grandfather nearly lost his arm when he was working on an old Mustang with my dad. The jack failed and collapsed, trapping my grandfather's arm under the frame of the car. Fortunately, there were several people standing around the car at the moment it happened, and they were able to lift the car off my grandfather's arm. He survived with nothing worse than a broken forearm, and managed to pit crew for Ivan Stewart during the Baja 500 and Baja 1000.
Ever since then, however, my father has drilled into my head the importance of not trusting your jack to hold the weight of a car.
Just my safety story...
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,831
Likes: 10
From: Springfield MO
St. Jude Donor '07
My Sam's Club jack is Michelin-branded. I didn't look to see where it was made, but it has a very heavy and quality feel to it. Lifts great - my parents bought one, too, and both are very high-quality units.