Mohawk lift System 1 - Stuck in the air, help

[hellspcangel911]

Hi all,
I finally installed at setup my late 80s System 1 9,000 lift. Many refer to it as a "1 line" as it has only one hydraulic line overhead connecting the two posts. I did the proper bleed procedure as outlined in the manual. I got to step 7, ran the slave side carriage to the top and now I cant get it down. Yes, the safeties are completely released, there is nothing holding it up except for pressure.
I found this thread thats exactly the same issue, on a similar lift, but releasing the pressure from the overhead line did not work for me. It did "free up" the slave side carriage so i can move it 1/4" bouncing on the hydraulic ram.

Help My Mohawk is stuck!

Just finished my install of a used system II 6000 lb two post and was running it thru a couple up and down cycles to equalize/bleed it. It was going really well but now it's stuck in the fully raised position and wont come down. No car on it of course. Any ideas?

www.garagejournal.com

When I press the power button now while both carriages are maxxed out, I can feel the spool valve release pressure when I pull on the lowering knob.


I tried calling Mohawk but they were already closed, will try again tomorrow but obviously was looking forward to getting it working and the garage cleaned up.

 

[2gslse]

It sounds like the safety valve is engaged and not letting the fluid return to the pump/ reservoir. I had similar happen to my mohawk and I bled some fluid off and then bumped the pump a bit to unseat the valve. It has never repeated the problem bit it was my first time testing the lift as well

 

[hellspcangel911]

Thanks for the response, that would make sense. I bled a few ounces and it didn’t work. How much do you suggest? I tried tapping in the side of the valve while doing it as well hoping it would unseat it but no luck

 

[2gslse]

Can't remember how much I bled off. Mine is an old system II only 6,000lb capacity since its for the RX7 and have low ceiling clearances to work with.

 

[hellspcangel911]

just to update- I spoke to Mohawk (such great customer service), he pointed out that the base of the master-side ram has a "button" that works as a diverter. If that button is stuck and doesnt depress the lift will remain up as a safety feature. I checked, and sure enough there is just over 1/16th of space between the edge of the cylinder and the base of the post. He suggested relieving pressure by cracking a fitting on the master cylinder, raise the ram up just enough to get a sawzall blade under and clean the area so the 'button' can sit perfectly flat.
Honestly, I thought the "button" at the bottom was meant to align the cylinder and had no function once installed. He further said they had an issue at one point when they were painting these older lifts that the paint was thick enough the button would hammer into the paint causing it to bulge, that that was enough to cause this issue. I definitely did a heavy coat of paint so perhaps thats the issue.

 

[2gslse]

I dont remember seeing that before but the important question is did it work?

 

[hellspcangel911]

I’ll report back when I try it tonight

 

[tom in nh]

Take a picture of this "button" please.
I have the same lift as you.
Good luck.

 

[hellspcangel911]

IT WORKED! The gap I had under the master cylinder was caused by a mis placed washer. Rather than making a mess bleeding out fluid, I loosened the 4 bolts that hold the two carriage stops at the top of the master side post. This gave me almost 1/4" of space to pry the master side hydraulic cylinder up. I slid a blade under the bottom of it and out came a washer, the cylinder dropped back down, flush. I hit the lever and down came the carriages. 4 Bolts retightened and were in business!

Sorry Tom in NH, I couldnt get a photo as I didnt actually take the cyl out. but heres what it looked like sitting on the washer.

As the Mohawk tech guy said, this cylinder has to be able to move, when theres no load on it theres about 1/8" gap at the bottom then as soon as the load is applied it sits down. Thats why the lines and the rams are loosely placed.
In hindsight I recall using two washers to prop the cylinder up when I was painting it, I guess the paint stuck one on there.

I looked for more information about the "button" and was shocked theres no mention of it anywhere. Especially highlighting its importance as a safety feature. I did find this image that does in fact show the button. It also makes sense why Mohawk doesnt want just anyone rebuilding their cylinders.

 

[2gslse]

Glad you got it done.
It's things like this that you just don't get with cheap off shore products and service after the sale with actual people and info to help

 

[DaveAndStuff]

Don't you love it when sh*t works out?

 

[hellspcangel911]

Thanks everyone for your help and support!