Blackhawk S4 Jack Question

[Teufelshund1097]

I’m getting around to tearing down my S4 (finally) and have a couple of questions for those who know… I’m trying to remove the pivot pin that attaches the lifting rod? to the lift arm? — not sure about the terminology but I’ll attach a picture for clarification. I had no luck removing the 1/4” screw that retains the pivot pin, after trying PB Blaster, heat, and an impact driver. I drilled it out using left twist drills - hoping it would back out at some point, but no such luck. I’ve drilled to the depth of the pin using a .205 bit and have nice threads showing all the way around the hole but the pin itself will not budge. I don’t really want to go up to .250 because then I’ll wipe the threads out completely. Maybe not a valid concern? Recommendations are welcome. I’m also wondering about the fitting on the rod itself - it looks like an air tool oiler only bigger. I cannot tell it there is any play so I’m not sure this is, in fact, for lubrication purposes. I expected to find a zerk there. What is this fitting called and how does it work? If it is as it should be I might just leave the rod attached to the lift arm. Thanks in advance for any answers/suggestions.

 

[Teufelshund1097]

So it is an oil ball. There’s got to be almost as much pressure on this pin as the lift arm pivot; seems like a grease fitting would have been justified. As far as the retaining screw - by my rough calculation there is possibly a .250 ring left, just over 22 thousandths thick - holding the pin in place. I had imagined it would collapse under the force of pressing or driving the pin out, but I was wrong. As long as the oiler works properly I’ll leave it be.

 

[olddog1]

I wondered if you resolved your pin/screw issue? I had similar problems with mine. I just disassembled my S4 to install new seals and noticed the lock screw for that pivot pin had broken and the pin was fully offset to one one side, not engaging both journals. I tried drilling out the screw and found that it's very hardened! A standard drill bit won't touch it and I wound up using a carbide masonry bit to drill through it. An easy-out did nothing. I finally drilled it to size for a 1/4-28 tap and tried chasing the threads. There was enough of the screw left in the hole threads to chip the start of the tap so I gave up on saving the hole. I drilled it out to tap a 5/16-24 hole and machined a new screw with a pilot to engage the pin. It's all back where it belongs and happy now. And my jack has the same oiler as you described. I agree that a grease zerk would've seemed more likely. I hope you got yours up & running.

 

[Teufelshund1097]

I had no luck beyond what I had already tried. Everything is solid and tight so I’ll probably just leave well-enough alone. The oiler works so I’ll be able to apply lubrication periodically.

 

[olddog1]

That sounds good. My pin was moving so I had to do something. Well, have fun with it!