Bottle jack worth repairing?

[Whiplash316]

I was given this old Hein werner bottle jack that doesn't work. Is it worth trying to rebuild and are the parts even available? I've never worked with hydraulics much other than brakes on a car. I tried adding fluid, but that didn't seem to fix anything. The part on the piston that un-screws to raise up seems to be seized in the piston, but I haven't tried very hard to get it out yet. Thanks for any help!

 

[sberry]

If its well rusted it isnt. Stuff like that is ok to fix if there is a simple part or common seal, oring can be replaced. If it requires major parts not worth it.
Not that it can't be done but a guy can spend a lot, still not have it work right.

 

[38 Dodge Coupe]

Whiplash316- I agree with sberry. If you want to put a little bit of time into I would first check and see if adding some hydraulic fluid would take care of it. I have a couple of bottle jacks that had been my dad's and grandad's and over time they lose (leak) fluid. If I add a couple of ounces to them and purge the air, they are good to go again. Mind you these jacks don't see a lot of action and I have others I can use if needed. I just hang onto them because of sentimental attachment. ( probably not the best reason to keep them however)

 

[Whiplash316]

That's what I'm worried about. I don't want to dump a bunch of time in it for nothing.

 

[AmericanMechanic]

There's a youtube channel called "wranglerstar" which has a video about this very thing. He repaired an old bottle jack, including successfully getting the stuck thread to come out of the cylinder ram.

 

[Jazz1]

I have repaired them. First one I repaired shop gave me the O ring. Next time I think cost me $6.00 Local compressor repair shop carries a large selection of rings and gaskets for repairing them. Hydraulic shops I inquired at pointed me to the compressor shop.

 

[Chucktin]

If it's a known brand they probably used real O rings. The off brands sometimes use square shouldered "O rings". When I tried rebuilding one I could not find a replacement. YRMV, I'd give it a try if you're willing to put in the effort and the time to track down the parts.

 

[The Cobbler]

looks like a fun "try it" project ...nothing to lose but some time , and you may end up with a dandy jack for a few dollars

I was just looking at a bottle jack in Princess Auto, one of it's features was, " New improved design, all welded construction to reduce the chance of oil leaks"
in other words, non repairable!

 

[ex-x-fire]

Looks like an import H-W.

 

[Whiplash316]

Looks like an import H-W.

Good eye. I hadn’t caught that it was made in Taiwan. Think I might not waste my time then. Could probably buy a new one for what it would cost to fix this one. I had thought Hein Werner were all US made.

 

[driz]

Drip or soak some penetrating oil around the rest of the threads for a couple weeks. It’ll likely be easily unscrewed by then


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[rustbucket5]

in my opinion, no bottle jack is worth fixing unless its expensive or specialty.

 

[6PTsocket]

Hein Werner us now owned by Shinn Fu America. They sell a number of brands made in China or in their US factory, to varying degrees. If you cannot get generic parts they may be able to supply what you need. Maybe there is a rebuild kit.

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[manioso]

The Hein-Werner "Winner" brand was their cheaper imported line. Not of the same quality as the Milwaukee manufactured jacks. IF you want to play with it, knock yourself out. Even if you can source appropriate parts, you'll still be left with a cheap, imported jack,