Topic: Floor jack oil change / bleed

[5 Wheel Drive]

Does anyone know how to properly change the oil in a trolley jack and bleed it so it will lift again?

I have a motomaster 3 ton floor jack, last time I changed tires in the Spring it wouldn't lift the Forester.  I have the instructions that go with it, but they're pretty vague.  There's 2 screws on the body of the jack.  The bigger screw comes out and reveals a smaller screw under it.  That smaller screw has a seal and a spring under it.

I followed the instructions to change the oil and bleed it, but it still doesn't work.  I'm sure if it's something I did, or if a seal is gone inside somewhere.  It's only ever been used for changing tires, nothing heavy duty.  I've never exceeded the capacity of the jack or tried to force it once its reached its max height.

I'd hate to go and buy a new jack just becasue I can't figure this out.  OTOH, it is about 11 or 12 years old...

[AP]

My non-answer answer is to not change it then.  Provided the car once raised is supported on jack stands, what difference does it make if the jack oil is old? 

[No H2O]

I once changed the hydraulic fluid in my trolley jack. It needed topping up due to a slow leak at the piston activated by the handle.

The screw I removed was in the barrel of the hydraulic cylinder...not any of the ones in the "block" where the handle activated piston is.

I flipped it upside down and activated the jack repeatedly.

I then filled the cylinder barrel, installed the sealing plug and activated the jack. This had to be done a few times and the hydraulic cylinder had to be cycled a few times up and down topping up the cylinder barrel as necessary.

I now need a new seal for the piston activated by the handle. There are two of them in the body, both are square in section. Hey, its almost 35 years old...one of the Canadian Tire units.

[No H2O]

My non-answer answer is to not change it then.  Provided the car once raised is supported on jack stands, what difference does it make if the jack oil is old?

First sentence!

Does anyone know how to properly change the oil in a trolley jack and bleed it so it will lift again?

His is no longer lifting.

[AP]

My non-answer answer is to not change it then.  Provided the car once raised is supported on jack stands, what difference does it make if the jack oil is old?

First sentence!

Does anyone know how to properly change the oil in a trolley jack and bleed it so it will lift again?

His is no longer lifting.

In that case my equally as (un)helpful suggestion would be to buy a new jack.  They seem to be getting lighter and cheaper all the time. 

[mrthompson]

http://www.ehow.com/way_5525485_diy-floor-jack-repair.html

[No H2O]

In that case my equally as (un)helpful suggestion would be to buy a new jack.  They seem to be getting lighter and cheaper all the time.

I know, especially in our throw-away society, but I want to fix my old jack even though I recently bought a very nice full size aluminium race jack.

I have an issue with Inkjet printers costing $5 more than the replacement cartridge. Its quite obvious the cartridge is really worth nothing. Just one example of countless ones proving where we're going is unsustainable and narrow minded.

[safristi]

  Jack be nimble Jack be quick
  Jack be off when it's sick............................ nothing like yer exemplar..................Jack hung around for many a year bury him with no fear.....

  ya can fill inkjet cartridges fer wot 10 cents a go!!!!?

[5 Wheel Drive]

I once changed the hydraulic fluid in my trolley jack. It needed topping up due to a slow leak at the piston activated by the handle.

The screw I removed was in the barrel of the hydraulic cylinder...not any of the ones in the "block" where the handle activated piston is.

I flipped it upside down and activated the jack repeatedly.

I then filled the cylinder barrel, installed the sealing plug and activated the jack. This had to be done a few times and the hydraulic cylinder had to be cycled a few times up and down topping up the cylinder barrel as necessary.

I now need a new seal for the piston activated by the handle. There are two of them in the body, both are square in section. Hey, its almost 35 years old...one of the Canadian Tire units.

I had a look again last night.  When I turned mine over, there are no screws or anything on the barrel.  It will go up about 5 or 6 pumps, but only at the very end of the lever's travel.  When I looked there is oil on the ram.  Does that mean a seal inside the barrel is broken?

[inco]

I suspect your seal is worn out. The question then is whether or not you can get a new one. Crappy Tire should have the parts or part.

[safristi]

"worn out seal"............... ....

[5 Wheel Drive]

I suspect your seal is worn out. The question then is whether or not you can get a new one. Crappy Tire should have the parts or part.

I suspect so too.  I tried again and couldn't make it work.  So I just bought a new one.