Floor Jack Problem?

[lbperry]

Got a problem/peeve about floor jacks, engine lifts, and hydraulic cylinders in general.
Why is it that no matter how gradually I open the pressure release valve the cylinder comes down, if not all the way at once, at least in jerks and stops.
Am I just buying cheap stuff and paying the price or is there some way of doing it so they'll release smoothly?
Thanks for any answers, pointers, etc.

 

[fourjeepin]

I have a Husky aluminum jack that I can ease down really slowly. All others I have owned crash down.

 

[Wamsutta]

You need the Yellow Daytona!

 

[Leaflessshadetree]

Mine all usually work fairly smooth. I keep the area around the release clean and if the gasket/seal is worn I replace it.
I don't over tighten them and if I know that I'm going to want to lower extra smoothly I stop tightening as soon as I feel resistance.
They only need to hold long enough to get jack stands/locks in place or released.

 

[bpjr]

Not a problem with my HF jack...but my Husky is jerky no matter how you tighten or let pressure off. I attribute that to the external gear design on this particular jack. The teeth bind because they don't mesh well. In comparison, try an HF jack and you will be amazed. A drop of any measurement can be done easily without jerking. Also, my 3t Husky is the exact jack as the 3t Craftsman....even the parts diagrams are the same.

 

[ThomasNORWAY]

The AC hydraulic jacks have a safety feature which makes it lower slowly no matter how much weight and open the valve is. Very smooth and safe! The jacks are also top notch in every way, produced in Denmark! Not some chinese ****.


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[kythri]

I can't say that my jacks were all that expensive:

Arcan XL35R
Dayton 3ZC66
Pittsburgh 3-ton Low Profile
OTC Stinger 1503?

None of these have the issue that OP is describing. The OTC and Dayton jacks are both easily about 15 years old, and the other two I've probably had for around 5 years.

 

[6PTsocket]

Old Ajax 1 1/4 and newer Lincoln (now Hein Werner) 2 ton. Nope. I can ease them both down.

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[WWheeler]

I've had similar issues with HFs pittburgh steel and aluminum jacks but only when having a heavy load on them within roughly ~20% of their rated capacity. Sometimes I could ease it down and others it would just all let go at once no matter how slowly I backed off. Never had the issue when I had a ~50% load or less.