Floor jack lifting issue

[Spacey_G]

I have a Hein Werner WS with a bit of a lifting issue. The jack belonged to my dad and was made probably circa 1980's. It might have been rebuilt once between then and now.

With no load, it lifts all the way up no problem. But when I'm lifting a vehicle, it does the following: the first few pumps are normal and then each pump lifts less and less. By the time the car is close to jack stand height (jack probably 2/3 of the way up), the plunger moves almost the full stroke without any pressure and then moves the jack a small amount.

I haven't seen any fluid that's leaked out and the jack seems to hold the car without sinking down.

This problem has gotten progressively worse and now it's to the point where I can barely lift the car enough to put jack stands under it.

Any idea what might be the fix?

 

[noid]

Full rebuilt kit or replace it, if one seal is bad, they should all be changed.

A ****** jack can cause life or death circumstances.

At ~40 years old it may be time to just get something new.

 

[paulsomlo]

Check the fluid level and make sure you've bled the air out of it, although it does sound like a bad pump seal (at least). It's a good jack and worth rebuilding, but tear into the hydraulics first, to make sure that all the hard parts are good.

 

[Spacey_G]

I agree that a new jack may be wise. I might end up regretting it if I keep screwing around with this one.

I have my eye on the AC Hydraulics DK20. That's about the same form-factor and seems to have a good reputation. I'm willing to pay more for a quality jack instead of a Harbor Freight or parts store one that may or may not last.

 

[noid]

I agree that a new jack may be wise. I might end up regretting it if I keep screwing around with this one.

I have my eye on the AC Hydraulics DK20. That's about the same form-factor and seems to have a good reputation. I'm willing to pay more for a quality jack instead of a Harbor Freight or parts store one that may or may not last.

I've had the DK20Q for ~9 years; its been nothing but a pleasure to use.

The precision when lowering is mucho pleasure.

 

[rider]

Those H-W jacks are fully rebuildable - you might consider that before purchasing a new one. I have three old Hein Werner jacks that were rebuilt after decades of regular use and they will probably last me decades more.

 

[BrandoJames]

Any idea what might be the fix?

I'll defer to others on a fix, but you should stop using that floor jack till you fix or replace. Take care.

 

[Qualitytools]

I agree that a new jack may be wise. I might end up regretting it if I keep screwing around with this one.

I have my eye on the AC Hydraulics DK20. That's about the same form-factor and seems to have a good reputation. I'm willing to pay more for a quality jack instead of a Harbor Freight or parts store one that may or may not last.

I have had the DK20 for years and it has been absolutely a pleasure to use and very well made no regrets.

 

[Odd-job]

This thread has me seriously eyeing the DK20

 

[Lucid Moments]

I agree with everyone that it is probably time to get a new jack. Unless you enjoy working on them that is. I have used an AC Hydraulics jack at a friends shop and they are very nice indeed.

I don't understand people saying that an unreliable jack is dangerous though. Unless you are extremely foolish you will never be under a vehicle that is only supported on a jack. Worst case scenario I see is the jack fails while you are putting supports under it and you get the **** scared out of you.

 

[Spacey_G]

I agree with everyone that it is probably time to get a new jack. Unless you enjoy working on them that is. I have used an AC Hydraulics jack at a friends shop and they are very nice indeed.

I don't understand people saying that an unreliable jack is dangerous though. Unless you are extremely foolish you will never be under a vehicle that is only supported on a jack. Worst case scenario I see is the jack fails while you are putting supports under it and you get the **** scared out of you.

I tend to agree that it's unlikely I'd actually get hurt (still, not worth risking it).

What seems more likely with this jack is that I get my car up on jack stands and then I'm unable to lift it back up enough to get it off the stands. In that case I hope my neighbor is home and borrow his jack.

 

[469 runner]

Sounds like the jack is low on fluid and probably has air in the system. These are good jacks that I would be hesitant to give up on. Check your fluid level by removing the fill plug at the back of the unit under the cover between the rear wheels. The fluid should be level with the fill hole. Easiest to stand unit up on front wheels to add fluid. Bleeding should be done by opening release valve and pumping the jack 12-15 strokes.