Old Matco Jack - Worth Rebuilding (Again)?

[TravisT]

I have an old Matco floor jack, which I think is a 1 1/2 ton model. I got it about 15 years ago from a friend when I was in high school. It was rebuilt about 10-12 years ago. Although it looks rough, it has worked well since being rebuilt. I was recently rotating tires on the 4runner, and when I went to take her down off of the jack stands, the jack wouldn't pump up for me.

I initially decided that I got my money's worth out of it, and planned to buy an aluminum jack. I'm starting to rethink my decision. I'm not really willing to pay enough for a good aluminum jack, and the cheaper ones aren't worth the chance of it letting go with me under it. The flip side of that is the one I have has gone out twice, and while I wasn't under it at the time, I could have been. I'd like to think that the quality of the old jack is better than that of the new ones in my price range, but I don't know that for sure.

I ALWAYS use jack stands when I have a car in the air, but I still take a risk while positioning the stands.

Any recommendations on what to do?

 

[Syndicate]

Sounds like you should get another jack. Always good to have 2 jacks. If one fails you have a back up to finish the job. Also 2 are better than 1 when doing the job. I personally would feel that since a friend gave that to you, that you might hold on to it for sentimental reasons. I would restore it. Might not ever use it again, but just a conversation piece, and it sure would be a kick *** gift to restore and give back to your friend one day who gave it to you in the first place. I don't really know what your type of tools are or if you are a USA only guy or what, but Sears has some decent jacks for 100 or less, and also most parts stores have some decent ones to choose from. Or you could go all out and get a Walker, or a Truck brand for big bucks. Search your local CL you might find a deal on one there also. Good luck with it.

 

[TravisT]

Thanks for the reply. Haven't been in touch with this friend for quite a while, so not too concerned with that. Other thing is I'm military, so as hard is it is for me not to do so, accumulating things is a really bad thing (we are only allotted a certain weight allowance for moves, which I'm quite confident that I'm over already). As much as I would like to have two jacks, it's probably not in my best interest to do so now.

I would like to stick with a USA COO jack, but not opposed to something else if it is known to be durable and reliable. Most importantly, SAFE. My life is more important to me and my family than cutting a few corners to save a few bucks. Unfortunately, my pockets aren't real deep though, so not sure if a rebuilt ~20 year old jack would be of better quality than a new $2-300 jack. The way I see it is unless the initial build quality is poor or the parts are worn beyond rebuilding, then a jack should last a lifetime. I'm not an expert by any means though.

 

[pop pop]

Don't know what jack you have, but I'm rebuilding old jacks for my use. Once rebuilt, they will be more durable and reliable than anything I can buy for less than $400. Post a pic and Hiball can identify and has the parts. You may regret not rebuilding.

 

[TravisT]

I'm currently deployed until beginning of July, but I'll definitely do that once I get back to the motherland. At least want to weigh all the options.

 

[willymakeit]

I found a old Walker 4 ton porta a car in the scrap yd, for 50 bucks. Got a quote of around 180.00 to rebuild all the hydraulics. The rebuild able jacks IMO are the way to go.

 

[TravisT]

I guess some of the newer ones aren't rebuildable? I just assumed that all but the el cheapo's would be. I think I paid about $10 or $15 to have mine rebuilt around '01


Always something...

 

[TravisT]

So I just got around to taking a couple pictures of my jack. I also found out that it was made in Japan. I assumed being 15+ years old and from Matco, that it may be a USA made jack, but apparently I was wrong.

I was thinking of having it powder coated if I rebuilt it. I got a price of $40-50 which I thought was fairly reasonable. Add in the cost of materials to rebuild, and I would probably be under what it would cost for a new jack. Is it worth my time, being that it's not a USA made jack? Again, I got over 10 years of service after the last rebuild, and I'm not even sure what they did to fix it last time - just know that it cost me about $10 or $15 to have it done.

Here are a couple of pics. Hopefully Hiball will have some input on parts or where to get them.

 

[E.T.Privott]

i got one just like it and have the same trouble, i want be rebuild it but can't get any info on it because the tag is worn off, please keep any news/parts on the site for help. i have read "hi-balls" info and i'm trying to do it myself so please print any news you can find out about it ... thanks

 

[willymakeit]

Not to hijack but ,I picked up a Walker roll a car at the scrap yard for 40.00
Complete.I just need to find the parts to rebuild the pump.

 

[mikerice60]

That orange Matco jack looks exactly like my Sears Made in Japan green and white jack. Mine has a model number of 328.12001. My pump seals are also bad causing the jack to collapse slowly under load.

 

[gayler]

Does it leak oil? Have you checked to see if it's full? It could be a little low on oil and have air in it.

 

[TravisT]

Mine does not have any signs of leaks, and if I remember correctly, it didn't the last time I had problems with it either. I'm pretty sure it's a bad seal.

I used it about 2 hours prior to it breaking, and it worked fine - no leak down whatsoever. When I went to remove the jackstands from the car, it wouldn't pump up at all.

Any clue on which seals I would need and if it's worth rebuilding? Should I just buy a new jack or look for a jack worth rebuilding?

 

[Bob C]

So I just got around to taking a couple pictures of my jack. I also found out that it was made in Japan. I assumed being 15+ years old and from Matco, that it may be a USA made jack, but apparently I was wrong.

I was thinking of having it powder coated if I rebuilt it. I got a price of $40-50 which I thought was fairly reasonable. Add in the cost of materials to rebuild, and I would probably be under what it would cost for a new jack. Is it worth my time, being that it's not a USA made jack? Again, I got over 10 years of service after the last rebuild, and I'm not even sure what they did to fix it last time - just know that it cost me about $10 or $15 to have it done.

Here are a couple of pics. Hopefully Hiball will have some input on parts or where to get them.

If it's as old as you say, perhaps NORCO could help you out with parts as they have jacks exactly like it. Personally, I do not think it is monetarily worth repairing.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

It would probably take around $50 and a couple of hours time to completely rebuild that jack. I doubt that you will be able to buy a new one of that quality for that much..

 

[TravisT]

I'd be willing to put $50 or a little more into it, given it is worth doing. I'd like to think its a little better quality than the important available today, but was really hoping it was a USA made jack. That would have made rebuilding it a no-brainer.

Any idea on a source for parts?


Always something...

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

Any idea on a source for parts?

PM member Hiball. He sells a lot of the members on here kits (including myself).