Floor jack question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 2
From: New Castle DE
Floor jack question
I have a Craftsman 3 ton floor jack. It is not very old at all and the last few times it creaks and lowers a little on its own a little bit each time it creeks. It has a little cap wher eit looks like oil can be added and it says oil on it. Question is what kind of oil do i use and will this correct the problem? I can't find the manual for it so wasn't sure wha tto put in it.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
I use hydraulic oil, I have used ATF in a pinch. I dont know if it will correct your problem but its worth a try, just be sure to add oil with the jack fully lowered. I use an old squirt can to slowly add the oil. Hope this helps you,,,Peace,,,Moosie 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
Any good auto parts store (NAPA, Advance, Autozone, etc.) carries hydraulic jack specific oil. It is not much more than any other quality oil, and that's what I use. I believe AmsOil even carries a synthetic specific for jacks, I use their synthetic compressor oil in my air compressor and it definitely runs cooler.
Good luck... GUSTO
Good luck... GUSTO
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 624
Likes: 1
From: Melbourne, Fla. 6 months- New Middletown, Ohio 6 months
Hydraulic oil
Use hydraulic oil, do not use tranny fluid, power steering fluid or the third option people use which is brake fluid. I have seen all three used and the end result will be that the seals will deteriorate over time. The jack may work initially but the rubber seals will not hold up to anything but hydraulic fluid. As stated above, you can buy hydraulic jack fluid in any of the auto parts stores.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 2
From: New Castle DE
thanks guys i'll pick up some hydraulic fluid and give it a shot. Hope that is what's wrong with it. I have another jack that is a no name one that i bought probably about 15 years ago. It has sat outside and is rusty and nasty but it still works 
Although i don't use it since i never liked the actuation of the release for it.
Although i don't use it since i never liked the actuation of the release for it.
