Help needed for fixing the vintage Walker bottle jack

[wxm]

I have a 8-ton vintage Walker bottle jack that does not retract even I unlocked release level. It has not been used for years and it might need a restore anyway, but I don't know much about the bottle jacks and have no idea where it should start it... Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated...

 

[wxm]

Anyone?

 

[metaleltr]

PM Hiball, he's our resident jack expert. He should be able to diagnose it and sell you the parts needed to fix it.

Hiball's Profile

 

[Hiball]

First off... A bottle jack isnt like a Floor jack where there are Springs to Retract the Ram. Can you push it down? Im assuming you didnt do anything like Add oil while the Ram was extended? Did you tighten the Inner spanner compression ring?

 

[metaleltr]

And as if by magic!

 

[wxm]

First off... A bottle jack isnt like a Floor jack where there are Springs to Retract the Ram. Can you push it down? Im assuming you didnt do anything like Add oil while the Ram was extended? Did you tighten the Inner spanner compression ring?

The two rings on the top are so tight that I could not move them at all, neither could I push the Ram down. Is any of the two rings reverse threaded? Could I try to push the ram with the shop press?

 

[Hiball]

The two rings on the top are so tight that I could not move them at all, neither could I push the Ram down. Is any of the two rings reverse threaded? Could I try to push the ram with the shop press?

The Outer Ring is the tank Nut, It will be Super tight.... It is what holds the reservoir to the Base. The inner spanner ring is what compresses the packing to seal against the outside of the Ram. Im not sure what the story is on this Jack but ive seen this scenario in the Past, Where the Jack was leaking at the top end because the main ram was bad and the Owner overtightens the packing nut to try and stop the leak and it squeezes the Ram so tight that it wont release. The Jack looks really Clean.. The Spanner grooves dont look like they have been abused so im not sure really whats going on. Before you go and stick it in a press, I would first turn it upside down and see if you can manually retract the Ram. After checking the picture out a bit closer, I think i can see a little damage on the inner spanner groove... Did someone use a punch? It kinda looks like the inside of the groove is swelled a bit, Is it digging into the Ram ? Sorry about so many questions, Its hard to diagnose problems over the internet.. FYI, The threads are standard and it may pay dividends to loosen that inner nut.

 

[wxm]

Hiball, don't be sorry. I appreciate that you are helping me trouble shooting.

I don't know much about the history of it. I had it for a while, but never really got to it until now. The inner ring was in good shape, didn't look any one had puch it. It is now, I have just tried it. But still could not loosen it even with a punch. My guess is that it must be badly rusted. I am soaking it with PB Blast now, will leave it for a couple of day to see whether it helps...

 

[wxm]

Progress: after soaking the ring area with PB Blast foe a week, I was able to loose the ring with a punch and then removed the ring with a spanner. It was quite rusted.

With the inner ring out of the way, the ram still doesn't want to retract though. But at lease I was able to hammer it down with rubber mallet. I guess I will try to fill it with hydraulic fluid next. Will report back...

 

[Hiball]

Progress: after soaking the ring area with PB Blast foe a week, I was able to loose the ring with a punch and then removed the ring with a spanner. It was quite rusted.

With the inner ring out of the way, the ram still doesn't want to retract though. But at lease I was able to hammer it down with rubber mallet. I guess I will try to fill it with hydraulic fluid next. Will report back...

Im not 100% about that Model/Series but some of those Newer Walkers used a White Hard Plastic type Guide versus the older ones that used a Brass piece. Ive seen these pieces swell with age and make in very difficult for the Ram to Retract.

 

[wxm]

Im not 100% about that Model/Series but some of those Newer Walkers used a White Hard Plastic type Guide versus the older ones that used a Brass piece. Ive seen these pieces swell with age and make in very difficult for the Ram to Retract.

Hiball, are you referring the seal right beneath the ring? I think you are correct again. I tried gently pushed it, it did not want to move, but I did feel like rubber or plastic. The jack is low on fluid and I don't have any at home. Will try to get some fluid from store and try again tomorrow.

 

[Hiball]

Hiball, are you referring the seal right beneath the ring? I think you are correct again. I tried gently pushed it, it did not want to move, but I did feel like rubber or plastic. The jack is low on fluid and I don't have any at home. Will try to get some fluid from store and try again tomorrow.

No.. The Seals right below the Ring you removed are simply Reinforced Packing, The Guide im referencing is on the End of the Ram behind the Piston Seal. On some of those older Walkers you could remove the Ram without taking the Tank nut off, I believe on yours you will have to remove the Tank nut to pull the Ram.

 

[Hetman]

I wouldn't try to retract the ram before polishing it - otherwise you destroy seals.

 

[Hiball]

I wouldn't try to retract the ram before polishing it - otherwise you destroy seals.

Nah.. Those Top end seals arent load seals, I can tell by the picture that the Inner compression nut was Way.. too tight though as i can see residue on the outside of the Ram.

 

[wxm]

It has been a while... Finally, I got a around to refill some the hydraulic fluid. The ram seems to retract now. Still not ideal, it does only when I put my body weight on it, but at least it can be lowered. It is actually a very nice jack!

Another question, when refilling the fluid, am I supposed to top it off? I think I did it most of the way, but did not go all the way.

 

[Hiball]

It has been a while... Finally, I got a around to refill some the hydraulic fluid. The ram seems to retract now. Still not ideal, it does only when I put my body weight on it, but at least it can be lowered. It is actually a very nice jack!

Another question, when refilling the fluid, am I supposed to top it off? I think I did it most of the way, but did not go all the way.

With the jack in the upright position, ram completely retracted, fill the reservoir till it starts to dribble out of the fill hole.

 

[Callbt]

Hello, have a similar jack, looking for the pump piston seal. I do not see the need to open the rest of the jack or pay for a FULL seal kit.

 

[paulsomlo]

Hello, have a similar jack, looking for the pump piston seal. I do not see the need to open the rest of the jack or pay for a FULL seal kit.

Try Hydraulic Parts Supply in Sawyer KS - (620) 594-2247

 

[Callbt]

I took some measurements and found "close" U-cup on Ebay. will give that a try