Old Walker 1 1/2 ton Floor Jack...Repair Or Replace

[langss]

I inherited a Walker J-122, 1 1/2 Ton Floor Jack that is no longer safe to use. And I'm trying to decide if its worth the effort to Reseal/Repair it, (kit is about $50) or just buy a cheap HF jack on sale for a few dollars more than the repair kit. No experience doing this, and I'm sure that some special tools are required. If I knew what was involved "Tool" wise, I can follow a parts breakdown. But I hate the idea of buying a kit to fix it and not be able to actually fix it.

 

[whateg01]

Except for the trolley jacks, I don't think they sell a floor jack for "a few bucks more".

I like old floor jacks but new ones have features old ones don't. And you might find when you get into that one that it needs more than seals. I would at least open it up and check it out before ordering parts.

 

[PoorUB]

I had an old Walker ,bought a kit and had it apart 2-3 times, couldn't get it to seal up, then tossed it in the scrap pile and bought a HF jack and couldn't be happier. That was about ten years ago.
If I were to it over I would take it to a shop that does jack rebuilds and see how much they charge to screw with it, which is so unlike me!

 

[Beauregard]

I'd just get a new one and be done with it.
I'm really impressed with this Daytona, for the money.

3 Ton Long-Reach Low-Profile Professional Floor Jack with RAPID PUMP, Blue

Amazing deals on this 3T Long-Reach Lp Pro Floor Jack, Blue at Harbor Freight. Quality tools & low prices.

www.harborfreight.com

I was at the local tire shop, and saw they had several. They said they held up well, being used all day, every day.

 

[langss]

Thank You for your replies. I just rechecked and a 1 1/2 ton Aluminum "Racing" jack is $109.99, so on sale it might come down to $99.99 That makes better sense. Thanks All.

 

[MovingAlong]

I inherited a Walker J-122, 1 1/2 Ton Floor Jack that is no longer safe to use. And I'm trying to decide if its worth the effort to Reseal/Repair it, (kit is about $50) or just buy a cheap HF jack on sale for a few dollars more than the repair kit. No experience doing this, and I'm sure that some special tools are required. If I knew what was involved "Tool" wise, I can follow a parts breakdown. But I hate the idea of buying a kit to fix it and not be able to actually fix it.

While you're waiting for the Daytona to go on sale, watch a few YouTube videos, tear your Walker down and see what you run into. No cost in that. Might discover it was easier than you thought.

 

[langss]

While you're waiting for the Daytona to go on sale, watch a few YouTube videos, tear your Walker down and see what you run into. No cost in that. Might discover it was easier than you thought.

That's kind of what brought me here. I watched a few Videos, not necessarily the the exact same, but it appears to require some special tools. Besides its one thing to tear something apart if you have a clue what you are doing...which I do not...lol...

 

[paulsomlo]

A friend has one of those aluminum racing jacks from HF - it's a lightweight. I have a Walker 93642 that's very similar to your J-122. The Walker makes the HF jack look like a toy. Do yourself a favor - remove the hydraulic unit from the Walker, take it apart and inspect. If it's just a matter of seals, call Hydraulic Parts Supply in Sawyer KS (620) 594-2247.

 

[mikedodge]

If you dont have a jack and need one I think I'd rather go new then mess with an old one. But if I already had one I'd want to try fixing it. It can be handy to have more then one at times.
All but one of my old jacks is the long kind and I don't have the money to spend on a new one, they're pricy.
I do like aluminum jacks. I have a junky one that I've had to adjust more then once now but it's super handy how it's so light it's easier to carry around then drag.

 

[jayemm]

Thank You for your replies. I just rechecked and a 1 1/2 ton Aluminum "Racing" jack is $109.99, so on sale it might come down to $99.99 That makes better sense. Thanks All.

And that HF racing jack may only go to 14" lift height but maybe that's sufficient for your needs. And for the bigger jacks, read the negative reviews. Owners have complained about failures after the short 90 day warranty and no recourse. They weren't happy with a $180 (or whatever) doorstop. Apparently one problem is that 1 of the 2 pumping pistons gets jammed in the down position. I don't know the failure rate percentage of the HF jacks in general but it may behoove you to tear down the old jack first and see what's needed. JMO.

 

[langss]

I do appreciate the input, I'm just reluctant to tear it up and then all it will ever be is a heavy doorstop. I use this as an example...I have a Sears/Craftsman Electric Chain Saw. It unfortunately found a Hidden Nail driven into a branch I was cutting and broke the "Plastic " Drive gear. I took it apart found the broken gear went to Sears, they ordered me the part, and in the lifetime later that it took to get the part, I had to go out and buy another chain saw to finish cutting down the tree and cutting up the branches. In the time that passed now that Chain Saw is apart in a box somewhere, and I have long forgotten how it came apart. The tree is gone but the damage is done. I don't want another Chain Saw. I see a lot of people on YouTube using the HF jacks, if there was even remotely a problem, I think the issues would be quickly exposed. Especially when the jacks are being used on very popular channels, that could well afford Big Name Brand Jacks.
I was using the Racing Jack only as an example, I already have one and I'm well aware of its "Limitations". Again, it would be different if I had a clue about what I would be getting myself into. I have not found a video that shows the teardown of any "Walker Jack". And the folks over at Lazzar's which is local to me were nice on the phone, but they only sell parts. No joy with advice or a local place to just take the jack and get it fixed. This is after all Cailfornia, and Liability is king. So, I guess rather than add another Chain Saw to my collection, I'll just use what I have until HF has a sale. Thank You all again.

 

[lund]

Good quality older floor jacks are way better than new models. You can find seal kits for most. But it takes some patience to get apart and rebuild (carefully take pics, watch a few videos and take your time). The main hard part is you can need a really big wrench to break the seal on the main cylinder. That can be a pain. But once open it is not too bad. Just make sure to buy proper jack oil and rebleed. If you do that well, you will have a much better jack that will outlast the new harbor freight ones by 40+ years. The old stuff was made to be rebuilt too. You can also pay a shop to do it, but that will likely cost a fair amount.

I was amazed how robust an old early 70s Craftsman Japan jack I had was relative to the new harbor freight ones. I do not regret spending a few hours to rebuild it. You can find links to places that sell seal kits for most quality jacks in the forums or via google. If you can find a kit for your specific model #, that is a good part of the battle.

 

[paulsomlo]

And the folks over at Lazzar's which is local to me were nice on the phone, but they only sell parts. No joy with advice or a local place to just take the jack and get it fixed. This is after all Cailfornia, and Liability is king. So, I guess rather than add another Chain Saw to my collection, I'll just use what I have until HF has a sale. Thank You all again.

It's really not Liability working against you - it's the fact that very few places fix these things anymore. With the advent of cheap import jacks, there's no call for repair services, just toss the broken one and buy a new one.

If you post your Walker up FS here on the forum for cheap or free, I'm sure someone will give it a good home.

 

[mikedodge]

It used to cost more then a cheap jack to get them rebuilt. I wouldn't be surprised if some of these places would rebuild more expensive ones but have had too many problems trying to get paid for working on normal ones to want to deal with them.

 

[Speed-Racer]

This thread needs pictures. If it is good condition and only needs a seal kit and maybe re-greasing the wheels.
I would get a kit and give the rebuild a try, you would have a lot of help on this with site questions. That is a time proven design that works in commercial shops for decades.
Does the hydraulic tank have a nut that accepts a 1-13/16(size varies) socket or do you need to fab up a special socket? You need an impact IMO.

When you're ready to buy parts, Hydraulic Parts Supply, Sawyer KS: (620) 594-2247, has been helpful to me and others on this site.
Many youtube videos on Ajax, Walker, Lincoln and Snap-on 1.5-2 ton jacks that are all the same design.
One of the first ones in the search

The design without the 1-13/16 tank nut.

 

[langss]

Ok, I'm not a natural Quitter, and the Seal Kit is less than $50+ shipping. If the big nut I saw is close to 1 13/16 as was mentioned, I have 3/4 drive sockets bigger than that so I'm thinking I will give it a try. I just have a lot of stuff in line ahead of this, so I'll order the kit and see what goes on from there. Thanks All.

 

[paulsomlo]

Ok, I'm not a natural Quitter, and the Seal Kit is less than $50+ shipping. If the big nut I saw is close to 1 13/16 as was mentioned, I have 3/4 drive sockets bigger than that so I'm thinking I will give it a try. I just have a lot of stuff in line ahead of this, so I'll order the kit and see what goes on from there. Thanks All.

Open up the hydraulics first, inspect, then order the kit. That way, you ensure that all the internals are good and you don't end up with a kit that you can't use. And you might find that you only need a $5 seal, and not a $50 kit. And try the place in Sawyer KS first, before the place in Long Beach.

 

[Speed-Racer]

Ok, I'm not a natural Quitter, and the Seal Kit is less than $50+ shipping. If the big nut I saw is close to 1 13/16 as was mentioned, I have 3/4 drive sockets bigger than that so I'm thinking I will give it a try. I just have a lot of stuff in line ahead of this, so I'll order the kit and see what goes on from there. Thanks All.

This thread needs pictures of the project.

Forgot to mention, you can send the pump unit off for rebuild. 4 side bolts and the carter pin on the ram, it all it takes to remove.

 

[langss]

Thanks for posting those Videos. The 20min one was the same jack I have. When I looked, it did not come up but several of the others did so thank you again. And after watching the tear down, I was completely on board with doing this myself...that is until the guy had to make a tool to remove that "Slotted Nut" that holds everything inside. To quote Dirty Harry... "A Mans Got To Know His Limitations" ... and that was exactly what I was afraid of. If it was at least like a big nut, or something I could get a Big Crescent Wrench on, I have that capability... But making a wrench is not something I can do. So as suggested I will see if I can find someplace local to repair it. Since this is not a rush job, I have plenty of time to do the homework. Thank you all again.

 

[paulsomlo]

And after watching the tear down, I was completely on board with doing this myself...that is until the guy had to make a tool to remove that "Slotted Nut" that holds everything inside. To quote Dirty Harry... "A Mans Got To Know His Limitations" ... and that was exactly what I was afraid of. If it was at least like a big nut, or something I could get a Big Crescent Wrench on, I have that capability... But making a wrench is not something I can do. So as suggested I will see if I can find someplace local to repair it. Since this is not a rush job, I have plenty of time to do the homework. Thank you all again.

And that's one of the reasons I suggested tearing into it first, before buying a seal kit.

 

[decal327]

I inherited a Walker J-122, 1 1/2 Ton Floor Jack that is no longer safe to use. And I'm trying to decide if its worth the effort to Reseal/Repair it, (kit is about $50) or just buy a cheap HF jack on sale for a few dollars more than the repair kit. No experience doing this, and I'm sure that some special tools are required. If I knew what was involved "Tool" wise, I can follow a parts breakdown. But I hate the idea of buying a kit to fix it and not be able to actually fix it.

If you still have the Walker jack I'd be interested in buying he hydraulic pump unit from you. Please contact me!

 

[johninct]

I like my Snap-On/Walker/ Hein Warner more than my HF so I rebuilt it.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I'm pretty sure board member Hiball provided detailed instructions on how to rebuild a Walker jack some time ago. You can probably find that post by using the search function.