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2 Ton floor jack ???? UPDATE

montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,240 ******
edited September 2018 in General Discussion
I've got a 2 ton automotive floor jack that I bought 40 yrs ago. You know,the orange and white ones.
It still works. I realized however,that it is in fact 40 years old. I have never drained,re-filled,or added hydraulic oil to this jack.
Should I have done this in the past,should I do this now? Or let it go another 40? I'd sure hate to use it and have it fail.
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Comments

  • Horse Plains DrifterHorse Plains Drifter Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 40,234 ***** Forums Admin
    edited November -1
    Let 'er go another 40.
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  • p3skykingp3skyking Member Posts: 23,916 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If it works don't screw with it.
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  • Ditch-RunnerDitch-Runner Member Posts: 25,375 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    the old saying not broke do not fix it . I have jacks thet old as long asy work I do not mess with them even bought a few new ones from harbor freight and the internet ..
    as for failing ... use jack stands never work on anything just supported with a jack ( think O ring protecting your life )


    when I was a kid I switched out clutches and transmissions with just a bumper jack (or a bottle jack a few times ) and no other supports not even wood or cement blocks . I was dumb-* lucky but no money or access to tools you do stupid things .
    by the time my sons came along I made sure they did not follow my stupidness ( well at least working on a car )safety was 1st,, jack stands safety glasses no exceptions
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  • toad67toad67 Member Posts: 13,008 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    If it fails no big deal. Jacks are made to raise and lower objects, not to be worked underneath of. That's what jack stands are for MJ..
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  • remingtonoaksremingtonoaks Member Posts: 26,245 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    It's not as if you have jacked it up and down at 3000 to 4000 RPMs per hours for hours at a time like an engine runs... Plus it is a sealed system, so there is no way dirt can get into it...

    (And if you can operate a jack that fast, remind me never to get in a fight with you!!!)[:0]

    So no, the hydraulic fluid does not need to be changed. As far as adding to it.. it's a sealed system, unless it's leaking you don't need to add anymore to it.

    at this point if you open it up you'll probably break the O-ring on the filler plug. But that you can change easily enough. But again, unless it is leaking, you do not need to open it up


    There is no way a Jack can fail unless the O-rings leak/wear-out, or you overload it. No matter how old it is. But with that said, do not work under any Jack without jack stands period, just in case your o-rings blowout. Which can happen, that's why you do not work without jack stands
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  • Smitty500magSmitty500mag Member Posts: 13,623 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Never ever get under a vehicle without jack stands. No matter if it's a new jack or an old one.

    I pulled my neighbor out from under his car that had fallen on him and he was dead as a door nail while his girl friend stood there watching while screaming and crying at the top of her lungs. A sight I have never forgotten and never will.

    Sometimes I don't have enough room to work under my car for the amount of jack stands I have under there with me.
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  • yoshmysteryoshmyster Member Posts: 22,065 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think I got one of those. Heavy sum *. Like yours mine still works so I ain't a buying.
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  • jimdeerejimdeere Member, Moderator Posts: 26,285 ******
    edited November -1
    Do not drain the oil out of it! They have little tiny steel balls in the cylinder that will roll out and you can't get them back right.
    Yep, I sure did.
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  • MobuckMobuck Member Posts: 14,163 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    This is the FIRST time I've heard anyone considering changing the oil in hydraulic jack.
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  • hillbillehillbille Member Posts: 14,459 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    if you do be sure you don't mix it with synthetic........
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  • Okie743Okie743 Member Posts: 2,736 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Leave it as is.

    A symptom of low Hydralic oil level (needing little bit of oil) is usually a floor jack don't want to go all the way up or takes more pumps to get it lifting at the upper travel limit.

    You say you don't want it to FAIL.
    If it fails to go up, just remove the fill plug and with the jack at the low end of travel fill to the oil hole. Do not fill with the jack at the raised position.

    If you mean FALL. (always use safety jack stands), but a hydralic jack usually won't fall fast all at once due to low fluid level, they don't want to lift a load or extra pumps are needed to get a lift.
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  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just have to ask has it leaked.
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  • spasmcreekspasmcreek Member Posts: 37,717 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    have 2 HF floor jacks forever ..OK have the little trolley jacks on vehicles with a chunk of 2x6..lots safer than the dinky screw jack usually stuffed in em
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  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,240 ******
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by grumpygy
    Just have to ask has it leaked.
    Nope gunny,has never leaked.
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  • NeoBlackdogNeoBlackdog Member Posts: 17,281 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Properly oriented CMU's are your friend...[;)]
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  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,240 ******
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by NeoBlackdog
    Properly oriented CMU's are your friend...[;)]
    [:D][:D][:D][;)]
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  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,240 ******
    edited November -1
    UPDATE,,,,

    I have left it alone,AND will continue to do so. Thanks all.
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  • remingtonoaksremingtonoaks Member Posts: 26,245 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by montanajoe
    UPDATE,,,,

    I have left it alone,AND will continue to do so. Thanks all.


    You my good sir, are a smart man...
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  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,240 ******
    edited November -1
    I woulda bet though that even in a sealed system,after 40 years,the hydraulic fluid would have broke down. Even radio active material has a faster half life. [:0][:0][:0][:0]
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  • BikerBobBikerBob Member Posts: 2,745 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I have one that my wife and I had given to her dad one Christmas some 30-35 years ago. A big Sears Craftsman with that 3.5 foot handle. I probably should hit the grease fittings with some fresh lube.

    Still works like a champ.
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