How to Repair an Auto Hydraulic Floor Jack
If you repair cars, a jack is one of the most important pieces of equipment you can own. It is the only option you have for lifting the car off the ground, and a broken one can leave you unable to work. However, you might be able to fix a few problems with your jack and save yourself time and hassle involved in sending it to a professional, authorized, repair facility. With a few simple steps, you can determine how the jack should be fixed.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Check the weight rating on the jack against the weight of the vehicle you're lifting. The capacity for the jack will be written on the jack itself or on the documentation that came with it. The weight of the vehicle usually is written on a plate attached to the driver's side door pillar. Lifting a vehicle too heavy for the jack could result in serious damage to the jack or injury to you.
-
2
Extend the jack all the way. Pump the jack up if possible, although you might have to open the release valve and pull the piston out manually. As you are doing this, check that there is no dirt on the piston and no more than a small amount of oil. Check that the piston does not bind or catch as it comes out.
-
-
3
Open the oil reservoir cap on the jack. This usually is the uppermost cap, and sometimes you need a screwdriver to help get it off. The oil level should be about a quarter-inch below the bottom of the cap. Replace the oil in the reservoir if it is low. Only use hydraulic oil of the type recommended by the manufacturer.
-
4
Bleed the jack by opening the release valve and pumping it vigorously several times. Close the valve, and pump the jack up to its full height. Lower the jack by opening the release valve. If the jack does not reach its full height, continue the process until it does. Wipe the outside before each bleed attempt, and check the outside for oil that might indicate leaks after each bleed attempt. If you find a leak, trace it back to the seal it is coming from, and replace the seal. The procedure to replace the seal will differ depending on which seal it is and the model of the jack you are working on. If you are unsure, have the jack sent to an authorized repair facility.
-
5
Position the jack under the load, and attempt the lift again. If the jack still will not lift, the problem is most likely with the pump, and you should send the jack to an authorized facility for repairs.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Work on your jack in a clean, dry environment.
Jacks are designed only to lift loads, not support them. Do not work under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Some hydraulic fluids are flammable. Do not use them around an open flame.
