Lever bar stuck to jack

[zlloyd1]

I have a hydraulic floor jack that I have been using for some years now that has a strange issue that I cannot solve....
The lever bar that is used to jack the vehicle up is also used to turn the release valve to let the vehicle back down. This is done by removing the bar from the jacking slot, and pushing it around the valve lever to turn it until it releases.
My problem is that the bar often gets stuck on the release valve, and refuses to come back off.
I wish I had a picture to post here showing this, but I do not.
Anyway, it is an older jack that is called a Speedy Lift 2 1/2 ton Truck Jack, and I was hoping for some clarity on this issue please.
Oh yeah, Thanks in advance!!

 

[Bondo]

My problem is that the bar often gets stuck on the release valve, and refuses to come back off.

Ayuh,.... Wiggle it alittle,.....

Is the release valve screw a "T" head, or a slot,..??

Ya might clean up the workin' end of the bar with a file or something, 'n maybe adjust it with a hammer some,......

 

[Fender1325]

Graphite, white grease, etc

 

[Coach James]

Have you tried profanity?

Coach

 

[toolslinger]

Let me guess...

You don't think about it until you're using the jack... Then by the time you've fought through the issue, you just put it away, and don't think about it again until you're cursing the damn thing under the car...

Just guessing here, that was my issue...

For me, it was simply that the handle had been dropped once too often, and was slightly crushed so it grabbed the T head of the release. Not every time, but often enough to be frustrating.

A little time with a file took care of it. Just look at it on the bench, not when you're irritated, under the car... Should be simple.

 

[gdocktor3]

The end of the handle must be damaged. Whether it was used improperly as a pry bar, a cheater, a hammer, etc it must have gotten damaged and is not fitting properly. I picture in my head an oblong or oval opening where it was once round, and when you twist it to release the pressure, it gets wedged on the valve. Or the openings on the handle to accept the T shaped valve are bent up and causing the handle to get stuck from the torque of you twisting it. But obviously I cannot see it, so I don't know for sure, but something seems damaged and I doubt it's the valve.

 

[ssdave]

I've had this happen before, the jack handle is smaller than the hole it goes into in the lever/jacking mechanism. So, when you're using it hard, the end pries against the hole, and the end gets belled in slowly but surely. That closes up the tee slot in the handle, and makes it hard to get off the release valve.

Flare the end of the handle back out, or file the tee slot wider and the problem goes away.