My 6 year old jack slowly lowers back down (10 mins)

[Jacobson]

I had the wheel jacked up for like 10 mins.
I was messing with the bumper or something, and was not under the car.
After a 5-10 minutes, I noticed the car was lower.
I'd have to rejack it to get it back up.

Is this normal ?
I don't know if it was because of cold temps.

Can this be fixed?

 

[Wamsutta]

It might be time for a seal kit. What's the make and model number?

 

[Empty Pockets]

That's why I have Jack stands.... Seriously, it's probably seals

 

[jalind]

I presume it's not leaking any hydraulic fluid. If it is, this will not work. Close the valve as if you're going to lifting something with it. Without any load on it, raise the jack to full height and continue pumping the handle about two dozen times. Then see if it will hold a load without sinking. This is a very old trick that works more often than not with jacks that aren't leaking hydraulic fluid. Did a Lazarus act on a two decade old Test Rite (sold by Sears) with this in early January. Hasn't been a temporary fix either. Been using it for two months now lifting half its rated load without so much as a millimeter of sinking. Left it with half its rated load for a week to test it.

All that said, I will NEVER work under a load held up only by a floor jack. I use jack stands with that Old Time Religion. All that's needed is to know about one instance of jack failure and you will also get that same Old Time Religion. Only time I've ever worked without jack stands is changing a flat tire by the side of the road, and once in the military putting a new front wheel bearing on a M151A2 out in the middle of nowhere using its jack, and that didn't require getting under it.

John

 

[artbuc]

I presume it's not leaking any hydraulic fluid. If it is, this will not work. Close the valve as if you're going to lifting something with it. Without any load on it, raise the jack to full height and continue pumping the handle about two dozen times. Then see if it will hold a load without sinking. This is a very old trick that works more often than not with jacks that aren't leaking hydraulic fluid. Did a Lazarus act on a two decade old Test Rite (sold by Sears) with this in early January. Hasn't been a temporary fix either. Been using it for two months now lifting half its rated load without so much as a millimeter of sinking. Left it with half its rated load for a week to test it.

All that said, I will NEVER work under a load held up only by a floor jack. I use jack stands with that Old Time Religion. All that's needed is to know about one instance of jack failure and you will also get that same Old Time Religion. Only time I've ever worked without jack stands is changing a flat tire by the side of the road, and once in the military putting a new front wheel bearing on a M151A2 out in the middle of nowhere using its jack, and that didn't require getting under it.

John

Found a YouTube video describing this trick a few weeks ago and it worked like a charm for me. Posted it here. Second the comments re working under a car supported only by a floor jack. Why would anyone take this risk?

 

[pi_guy]

Most hydraulic lifts have a safety bar that comes out and holds the height. Air jacks have the same type of safety. Most people use jack stands out of concern for safety.
They all do not drop at same rate.
I am sure you will find some loon on uboob that will claim it is safe to work under a car with the new HF floor jack.....

 

[Jacobson]

Like I said, I was not under the car.

 

[Jacobson]

I will try maxing out the empty jack with 20 pumps.
What does this actually do?

 

[Hiball]

I will try maxing out the empty jack with 20 pumps.
What does this actually do?

The ONLY thing running a Jack to full extension with the release closed could possibly do:

1. Flush the valve system. <-- Same can be done using recommended bleeding procedure, but you will also flush the release vein with the release open.
2. If the Jack uses a ball/seat overextension bar on the ram, it would also flush this of any contaminants. If your Jack only utilizes a weep hole in the cylinder, your wasting energy and time.

 

[rxblue7]

I presume it's not leaking any hydraulic fluid. If it is, this will not work. Close the valve as if you're going to lifting something with it. Without any load on it, raise the jack to full height and continue pumping the handle about two dozen times. Then see if it will hold a load without sinking. This is a very old trick that works more often than not with jacks that aren't leaking hydraulic fluid. Did a Lazarus act on a two decade old Test Rite (sold by Sears) with this in early January. Hasn't been a temporary fix either. Been using it for two months now lifting half its rated load without so much as a millimeter of sinking. Left it with half its rated load for a week to test it.

All that said, I will NEVER work under a load held up only by a floor jack. I use jack stands with that Old Time Religion. All that's needed is to know about one instance of jack failure and you will also get that same Old Time Religion. Only time I've ever worked without jack stands is changing a flat tire by the side of the road, and once in the military putting a new front wheel bearing on a M151A2 out in the middle of nowhere using its jack, and that didn't require getting under it.

John

I registered for this forum just to thank you for this post. It worked!!!

 

[bluedog225]

Consider adding some oil. Or at least checking if low. $5 for new jack oil with leak stop. Has revitalized all my jacks.

And jack stands whether you are under it or not. Jacks not for holding the weight up over time.