Tools to Work on Hydraulic Jacks
Hydraulics are used all around you, from brake systems in your car to the operating mechanism on a back-hoe. While most hydraulic applications use the viscous nature of oil to apply pressure, as in brakes, or to lift something with hydraulic levers, jacks use the power of hydraulics and a lever to lift something. Most hydraulic jacks are fairly simple, but they may need maintenance from time to time.
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Common Wrenches
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Most jacks, like bottle jacks, are basic. They have very few visible mechanical components, though there is often a lever device used to pump hydraulic pressure. These are assembled with typical fasteners requiring commonly-found wrenches and shop tools. Racing jacks, sometimes called "speed jacks" use a more complex lever system that not only pumps hydraulic fluid, but raises the entire jack surface with a scissor-lift apparatus. Speed jack are apt to require a few more tools. If you don't want to get all of your general duty wrenches, your owners manual will likely list the type and size of each tool required for maintenance.
Pliers or Locking Pliers
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Hydraulic jacks have a mechanical device used to close the hydraulic circuit that allows you to raise or lower the jack. Closing this circuit locks the jack into place. These circuits are often actuated with a hand-tightened machine screw, with two ergonomic thumb-tabs. While they may work well, they don't provide much leverage. So, the slightest bit of oxidation, dirt or grime or rust can make them impossible to turn with your fingers. Flat-jawed pliers or Vice-Grip locking pliers are used to provide more leverage. If they don't easily break it loose, spray some penetrating oil on the threads.
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C-Clip Spreaders
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Most of a hydraulic jacks functioning parts are internal. To get to the functioning parts, remove the gasket. The gasket fits snug to the chrome jack-rod, keeping hydraulic fluid from leaking. These gaskets are almost always held in place by a circlip or c-clip. The c-clip is a c-shaped fastener, commonly with two small holes at the tips of the C. These holes are there for a c-clip spreader which is a specialized tool used to remove them. They look like pliers, but squeezing them actually opens the jaws. When the small rods at the tip of the spreader are placed in the c-clips holes, it spreads the clip, making removal possible. C-clips may work in reverse, too -- some spread and some are compressed.
Flat Standard Screwdriver
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Spreading the c-clip is often not enough to remove it to access internal jack components. Once the clip is spread, it's very helpful to have a thin, flat, standard screw driver -- or other flat prying tool -- to insert under the c-clip. Once a small prying tool has been inserted under the c-clip, it's generally easy to get out. Internals can generally be worked on with standard wrenches, screw drivers and other shop tools. It's getting past the c-clip that is usually the biggest challenge.
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References
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