Rust on a Bottle Jack Ram

[nutjob]

I picked up a 30 ton bottle jack for my shop press and the ram has some rust on the top section. Looks like someone left it extended during storage.

I hit it with the wire wheel on the bench grinder and the surface does have small pits. How important is the surface condition to the operation of the jack? Is the top seal by the nut just a dust / dirt wiper?

I do have access to a lathe so I was planning on cleaning it up with some wet/dry paper and keep working up the grit till the surface looks polished.

First, I need to try to get the nut off...

Thanks for the help

Kevin

 

[fatfillup]

I am no expert but even if the top seal is just a wiper, as far as that rust extends down the shaft, I would think it has to go through the main seal. That said, I personally would clean it and polish it as best as i could without disassembling and use it till it leaked badly. You may get many years out of it.

Again, I am no expert on bottle jacks.

 

[lametec]

The main seal is on the bottom of the ram, so it shouldn't cause any leaks.

Over time it will probably let **** in that eventually will cause the main seal to leak or the jack to bind. But I'm guessing that will take many years.

 

[fatfillup]

Well I stand corrected with actual facts

Man I hate when that happens