How To: Remove a floor jack tank nut without a vise

[BeachbumNJ]

Here's how I removed the large tank nut on my floor jack without a large vise. My vise is only 5" and not big enough to hold the block.

1. Remove the block/cylinder from the jack frame.

2. Now, mount the block backwards in the frame, so the ram is facing the opposite direction than it normally does. On my jack, a mid-70's Sears 1.5 ton #328.12001, I was able to use the same 2 bolts and holes that hold the block on. On my jack these bolts are also used to hold the rear wheels on. I left the wheels on for the next step.

3. Put your pipe wrench on the large tank nut.

4. Now, with your left foot holding the cylinder down to steady it, and holding the pipe wrench against the tank nut with your left hand (so it doesn't fly off after you whack it), whack the end of your pipe wrench with a 3 lb sledge hammer. Note: a rubber mallet WILL NOT work. You need a big metal hammer like a 3 lb hand sledge.

5. The pipe wrench I have is only 14", but after about a dozen hard whacks the tank nut loosened.

Note: an assistant standing on the back of the jack frame to hold it still would have been better, but I did this solo with just my left foot holding it down.

Another note: when I went to remove the block/cylinder assembly, it was partially welded onto the frame. I broke the welds with a hammer and chisel.

Hope this helps...for those of us that don't have a 6" vise. I know it's not overly elegant but it worked!

 

[homesale]

Do you have a picture of this technique?

14" pipe wrench barely grips my 53mm tank nut.

Was your tank nut rounded off after all the whacks?

 

[Kracin]

hitting a pipe wrench is pretty ineffective because they can be a little springy due to the design, two pipe wrenches with one wedged against the ground works good when you have no vice.

 

[homesale]

You can get two pipe wrenches on a pipe but not on a jack tank nut.

 

[BeachbumNJ]

Do you have a picture of this technique?

14" pipe wrench barely grips my 53mm tank nut.

Was your tank nut rounded off after all the whacks?

I don't have a pic but will try and post one when I can.

My 14" pipe wrench was plenty big enough for my 56mm tank nut. Could be that mine opens wider than yours.

The tank nut was not rounded off at all. Just adjust the wrench tightly on the flats of the nut and it will be fine. Given the high cost of purchasing a 56mm socket for a one-time use, I'll live with a few small nicks on the flats!

 

[theoldwizard1]

3. Put your pipe wrench on the large tank nut.

4. Now, with your left foot holding the cylinder down to steady it, and holding the pipe wrench against the tank nut with your left hand (so it doesn't fly off after you whack it), whack the end of your pipe wrench with a 3 lb sledge hammer. Note: a rubber mallet WILL NOT work. You need a big metal hammer like a 3 lb hand sledge.

5. The pipe wrench I have is only 14", ...

I lashed the jack handle (almost 5' in length) to my pipe wrench.

 

[BeachbumNJ]

I lashed the jack handle (almost 5' in length) to my pipe wrench.

Yeah, I tried putting the jack handle over my pipe wrench but it was too small. I'll pick up an old piece of larger diameter pipe the next time I'm at the junkyard...

 

[C'estMoi]

1. Remove the block-cylinder assembly from the floor jack frame.

2. Mount the block backwards in the frame, so the ram is facing outwards.

3. Seat the custom “knock-off” (see attached picture) tool firmly on the large tank nut.

4. Hold the floor jack frame to the ground with one foot (or have an assistant stand on it) and wearing a thick pair of protective gloves and eye protection, thump the corner of the “knock-off” tool a few times with a heavy duty hammer (e.g. a 3 lb hand sledge hammer). Assume the tank nut is a right-hand thread (righty-tighty, lefty-loosey).

Fabricate the “knock-off” tool as follows: buy a 3” square or 3.5” square, ¼” thick Simpson Bearing Plate (e.g. from Home Depot, Lowes or similar). They cost about three dollars. Carefully mark a hexagon that's the size of the floor jack tank nut (typically about 55 mm across the flats) with a fine Sharpie pen. Drill ¼” diameter holes precisely in each inside corner of the hexagon. Using a miniature hacksaw, cut between each corner hole to remove the bulk of the interior waste material. Clamp in a bench vise and carefully file each side of the hexagon to precisely fit the tank nut.

 

[finallyflying]

Here's how I removed the large tank nut on my floor jack without a large vise. My vise is only 5" and not big enough to hold the block.

1. Remove the block/cylinder from the jack frame.

2. Now, mount the block backwards in the frame, so the ram is facing the opposite direction than it normally does. On my jack, a mid-70's Sears 1.5 ton #328.12001, I was able to use the same 2 bolts and holes that hold the block on. On my jack these bolts are also used to hold the rear wheels on. I left the wheels on for the next step.

3. Put your pipe wrench on the large tank nut.

4. Now, with your left foot holding the cylinder down to steady it, and holding the pipe wrench against the tank nut with your left hand (so it doesn't fly off after you whack it), whack the end of your pipe wrench with a 3 lb sledge hammer. Note: a rubber mallet WILL NOT work. You need a big metal hammer like a 3 lb hand sledge.

5. The pipe wrench I have is only 14", but after about a dozen hard whacks the tank nut loosened.

Note: an assistant standing on the back of the jack frame to hold it still would have been better, but I did this solo with just my left foot holding it down.

Another note: when I went to remove the block/cylinder assembly, it was partially welded onto the frame. I broke the welds with a hammer and chisel.

Hope this helps...for those of us that don't have a 6" vise. I know it's not overly elegant but it worked!

Here’s a couple pictures of how I extended the lift arm 90 degrees to keep the jack from turning. Used an 18” pipe wrench and the nut came right off. Also including a picture of how I reconnected the piston to hold it steady while I removed the 10mm nut at the center of the piston.

Thanks to the OP for this tip!! I don’t have a vise but this worked great! My 40 year old Craftsman jack is working like new again!

 

[helphos]

Thanks fo4 the tip, BeachBum! I had tried putting the reservoir under the wheel of my car (jacked it up with another floor jack) but that didn't work. I'm gonna try this tomorrow. I know the thread is 12 years old, but my jack is 40 years old! Once I get it rebuilt, its maintenance will be my grandchildren's problem!