bizarre problem with my QuickJack
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 403
From: Atlanta, GA
bizarre problem with my QuickJack
Had her up on the QuickJack today for an oil change and brake pads...
After I was done with about everything, I Put the wheels on. Torqued the rears. Then lowered the jack to the point where the tires just start carrying some weight. Then torqued the front.
I got distracted with a phone call...then began cleaning **** up, gathering tools, organizing the mess and throwing out oily towels n such. Disconnected all connectors for the QuickJack...
Then.......
Dammit. "face...palm". The car is still ON the lift. I couldn't get ANY of the connectors to reengage. So annoyed with myself.
Suggestions? Right now, I brought the two longer hoses inside along with the power unit. The garage became very warm. I'm thinking maybe having the hoses, fluid and connectors "cool" will help eliminate any heat expansion issues that may be causing the problem.
After I was done with about everything, I Put the wheels on. Torqued the rears. Then lowered the jack to the point where the tires just start carrying some weight. Then torqued the front.
I got distracted with a phone call...then began cleaning **** up, gathering tools, organizing the mess and throwing out oily towels n such. Disconnected all connectors for the QuickJack...
Then.......
Dammit. "face...palm". The car is still ON the lift. I couldn't get ANY of the connectors to reengage. So annoyed with myself.
Suggestions? Right now, I brought the two longer hoses inside along with the power unit. The garage became very warm. I'm thinking maybe having the hoses, fluid and connectors "cool" will help eliminate any heat expansion issues that may be causing the problem.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 9,159
Likes: 4,008
From: 2019 CMG Z06
I remember this issue with my old quick jacks. If memory serves me right, you loosen the pressure valve below the hose connections on the control unit, then tighten. This will release enough pressure to connect your hoses again.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 4,488
Likes: 1,028
From: MN
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 403
From: Atlanta, GA
I'll try that. But it seems like it's the hoses themselves that have the pressure issue. ...based on how the quick disconnect fittings work, it appears that the hose fittings (female end) aren't retracting enough.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 403
From: Atlanta, GA
so, roger that...avoid brute force.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 403
From: Atlanta, GA
My problem is ALL hose connections are disconnected. If I can manage to get them to connect to the unit, then I'm certain this will work.
Worse case I guess is I'll take the hoses outside, put a bunch of spill mats down and loosen the threads until fluid oozes out a little. Re-tighten, clean and try to reconnect.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,979
Likes: 4,142
From: Kansas City, MO
My problem is ALL hose connections are disconnected. If I can manage to get them to connect to the unit, then I'm certain this will work.
Worse case I guess is I'll take the hoses outside, put a bunch of spill mats down and loosen the threads until fluid oozes out a little. Re-tighten, clean and try to reconnect.
Worse case I guess is I'll take the hoses outside, put a bunch of spill mats down and loosen the threads until fluid oozes out a little. Re-tighten, clean and try to reconnect.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 403
From: Atlanta, GA
Finally got the hoses hooked up to the power unit...pressing the down button did the trick.
But I can't get the hoses to connect to the actuators. Doesn't budge at all. Held down the "DOWN" button for a few Mississippis before trying AND held it down while trying to connect.
I could try the relief valve on the unit....or, open the threads a little on each leader line till is seeps a little, let it run a for a few seconds then tighten back up and try again.
I'll call Bendpak if I can't get this squared away.
But I can't get the hoses to connect to the actuators. Doesn't budge at all. Held down the "DOWN" button for a few Mississippis before trying AND held it down while trying to connect.
I could try the relief valve on the unit....or, open the threads a little on each leader line till is seeps a little, let it run a for a few seconds then tighten back up and try again.
I'll call Bendpak if I can't get this squared away.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,979
Likes: 4,142
From: Kansas City, MO
That's weird. I've never had a problem getting the hoses connected to the jack cylinders. It's only the pump side that gives me trouble.
Maybe try hooking up to the cylinders first, and then hook up to the pump?
Maybe try hooking up to the cylinders first, and then hook up to the pump?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 5,979
Likes: 4,142
From: Kansas City, MO
I'd definitely go with your suggestion to take the weight off. Trying to bleed the cylinders while they're loaded could get dangerous.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 403
From: Atlanta, GA
Oooooo...didn't think of that threat...and probably wouldn't help as I really think of it since the lift IS weighted right now.
I'll put her on jack stands to relieve the load. Then maybe that will allow me to reconnect to the actuators. If that doesn't work, I'll just slide the units out from the car and deal with it later.
Yes, I can lift with a regular jack and install jack stands. I'm gonna try that...been on hold with BendPak waiting on tech support...for an obscene amount of time. Haven't spoken to a human yet at all.
It's ridiculously obvious that I WON'T do this again. LOL.
I'll put her on jack stands to relieve the load. Then maybe that will allow me to reconnect to the actuators. If that doesn't work, I'll just slide the units out from the car and deal with it later.
Yes, I can lift with a regular jack and install jack stands. I'm gonna try that...been on hold with BendPak waiting on tech support...for an obscene amount of time. Haven't spoken to a human yet at all.
It's ridiculously obvious that I WON'T do this again. LOL.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 403
From: Atlanta, GA
interesting idea. I'll try a lesser evasive and violent avenue first. LOL. Then perhaps resort to something like that.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 111
Likes: 21
From: Weeki Wachee, FL
Right. Shouldn’t be much of an issue.. just a little extra work and lesson learned.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 315
Likes: 84
From: Saucon Valley, PA
As a former QJ owner, I agree. If I'm understanding correctly, the car is elevated with pressure on the hydraulic cylinders versus down on the locks and pressure removed. Permitting it was on the locks, by design, you are able to remove the hoses.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 1,733
Likes: 403
From: Atlanta, GA
Success!!
I jacked the rear of the car and put in two jack stands. Went to the front and....could NOT jack. The car dipped nose low on the QJ and the QJ units were also lifting since the weight of the car was now forward somewhat. With the car nosing down some, the jack couldn't fit under...and I have a long reach low profile jack.
Lowered the rear back on the QJ. THEN I was able to slide my jack under the front. Put Jack stands there. Then jacked up the rear just enough to separate from the QJ. And voila! Hoses connect like buttah. I raised the QJ with the car to the first detent. Removed all the stands and jack. Then PROPERLY lowered the car and.....all was well.
Gentlemen, thank you for you help and input. Man what a pain in the *** I created for myself. BUT, learned a few things and hopefully a few others did too on here.
I jacked the rear of the car and put in two jack stands. Went to the front and....could NOT jack. The car dipped nose low on the QJ and the QJ units were also lifting since the weight of the car was now forward somewhat. With the car nosing down some, the jack couldn't fit under...and I have a long reach low profile jack.
Lowered the rear back on the QJ. THEN I was able to slide my jack under the front. Put Jack stands there. Then jacked up the rear just enough to separate from the QJ. And voila! Hoses connect like buttah. I raised the QJ with the car to the first detent. Removed all the stands and jack. Then PROPERLY lowered the car and.....all was well.
Gentlemen, thank you for you help and input. Man what a pain in the *** I created for myself. BUT, learned a few things and hopefully a few others did too on here.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 111
Likes: 21
From: Weeki Wachee, FL
Success!!
I jacked the rear of the car and put in two jack stands. Went to the front and....could NOT jack. The car dipped nose low on the QJ and the QJ units were also lifting since the weight of the car was now forward somewhat. With the car nosing down some, the jack couldn't fit under...and I have a long reach low profile jack.
Lowered the rear back on the QJ. THEN I was able to slide my jack under the front. Put Jack stands there. Then jacked up the rear just enough to separate from the QJ. And voila! Hoses connect like buttah. I raised the QJ with the car to the first detent. Removed all the stands and jack. Then PROPERLY lowered the car and.....all was well.
Gentlemen, thank you for you help and input. Man what a pain in the *** I created for myself. BUT, learned a few things and hopefully a few others did too on here.
I jacked the rear of the car and put in two jack stands. Went to the front and....could NOT jack. The car dipped nose low on the QJ and the QJ units were also lifting since the weight of the car was now forward somewhat. With the car nosing down some, the jack couldn't fit under...and I have a long reach low profile jack.
Lowered the rear back on the QJ. THEN I was able to slide my jack under the front. Put Jack stands there. Then jacked up the rear just enough to separate from the QJ. And voila! Hoses connect like buttah. I raised the QJ with the car to the first detent. Removed all the stands and jack. Then PROPERLY lowered the car and.....all was well.
Gentlemen, thank you for you help and input. Man what a pain in the *** I created for myself. BUT, learned a few things and hopefully a few others did too on here.
