Walker Hydraulic Floor Jack (Warning: Pics!)

[Dustin Echoes]

Well, I've got a new project. I scored a floor jack, and by the picture I saw it in, it looked like nothing special. The prior owner assured me it worked fine, just too big for what he needs it for. I took a drive. It's on the way home from work, what's the harm?



Brought home this monster! Got it for next to nothing, but cost me being late for Thanksgiving dinner. SWMBO=not happy. However, she did help me unload it, so I think I'm off the hook. I plan on disassembling, stripping, painting, and restoring it back to it's former glory, but have never tackled anything hydraulic.

Anybody out there willing to lend me some experience with this? Anything I should look out for? Maybe a place to source some parts? (I know I'm missing two parts, and need to replace the broken caster).

The plate riveted to the handle says it's From Walker Hydraulic, Roll a car No. 784 Series A. Has some more info on it, but I have to strip the paint off to see. the only other lettering on the plate is "Made in USA". Fine by me! (I'm Canadian, however)

 

[Hiball]

Nice find... I bet those jagged caster wheels are eating that floor up. Lol.... I would first tear it down before ordering parts, it's walkers first quick lift jack and dates from the 40's. The first step is to remove the unit from the frame, this entails removing at least 1 frame rail. I have all the required parts, but being from your up north, you might be better served finding a local shop.

 

[Dustin Echoes]

Sweet! I don't know you, Hiball, But I was hoping you would stop in on this one. Much appreciated! I'll start removing nuts and bolts now...

 

[Hiball]

Sweet! I don't know you, Hiball, But I was hoping you would stop in on this one. Much appreciated! I'll start removing nuts and bolts now...

After looking at the pictures a little closer, looks like it definitely got some leakage issues, 1 return spring is missing ( prob would still retract), the release mechanism is missing. Your prob gonna need to soak some of those fasteners, and where the idler arm connects from the lift arm to the frame it will probably have to be Pressed/hammered out.

 

[Dustin Echoes]

Well, there are two return springs. One is disconnected. doesn't look broken, just unhooked. I got all of the main fasteners off, but can't hammer or press until tomorrow. (It's 12:20 am here, and 9D is sleeping)

It's does leak, and I know I'll need to address that. I don't know the first thing about hydraulics, so forgive me if I'm using the wrong terms. The leak appears to be coming from the "drive pistons" the ones on the handle end.

It is missing the release mechanism, I'm assuming it connects from the handle to the valve. Works fine without, but needs a wrench. Is that a hard part to find?

Judging from some pics online, I'm missing the plate that covers the pump assembly. It didn't bother me too much until I saw how cool the original looks! Any chance someone out there has one they would be willing to part with?

 

[Dustin Echoes]

More pics for further inspecting.

 

[Hiball]

There has been some modification done to that release stem... I'm not sure what's going on there. It should have a round stem that seats against a needle that seats to lift/release. It looks like someone has used a bolt or something to plug the hole.. The Oem stem would have a compression nut on the outside that compresses packing to seal the stem. The 2 pump pistons near the rear also have this compression nut with packing below to aid in sealing. "Sometimes" depending on the condition of the seals you can get away with tightening these down to eliminate leaks. The proper tool is a adjustable hook spanner... Not a punch. Just for information... If you look at where the main ram exits you will see another compression nut.. Same scenario as above.

Good luck with your project, if you have any questions don't hesitate to contact me via PM. I don't always see every thread.

FYI... Double check those Linkage bars to make sure someone didnt replace the OEM peened pins with a Shaft that has a C-clip on it. If its been replaced you wont have to remove the pin that connects it to the Inner frame.

 

[Dustin Echoes]

Alrighty! Things are going well, I got most of the monster apart!

Now I can see I need some new parts... Damn.

Replace:

1, maybe 2 return springs. I have one, it was unhooked when I got it. The other was on, but it was actually 3 random springs hooked together!

1, maybe 2 casters. One is completely cooked, the other isn't far behind. Bearings are shot, anyway.

New bearings for the front (big) wheels. Just a crappy sleeve and washer setup now.

Now, on to the stuff I needed to ask about. Does the main pivot pin (wrong term?) come out of the lift arm? I whacked it a few times, didn't budge. If it doesn't come out, why is there a grease ******?

How do I remove the lift pad?

How do I remove the two smaller arms from the main lift arm?

I've set the Bottle assembly in a bucket for now, and left it under my bench. I haven't decided if I'm going to rebuild it, or let a pro have at it. I've never messed with hydraulics, so I'll tackle the rest of the restore first.

 

[Dustin Echoes]

So, I'm having trouble with one of the last parts of the tear down. I can't get the Main pivot pin to budge, even after an overnight soak in deep creep. At first, I thought it was one piece, until I saw the picture I attached here. I could leave it in place, but I like to know that every piece has been cleaned and restored. Any thoughts guys and gals?

Pic stolen from another site, but I believe it belongs to another member here 1930's shop maybe?

 

[signcrafter]

Nice jack but put some cardboard or old carpet down to work on it! I feel sorry for your landlord.

 

[Hiball]

So, I'm having trouble with one of the last parts of the tear down. I can't get the Main pivot pin to budge, even after an overnight soak in deep creep. At first, I thought it was one piece, until I saw the picture I attached here. I could leave it in place, but I like to know that every piece has been cleaned and restored. Any thoughts guys and gals?

Pic stolen from another site, but I believe it belongs to another member here 1930's shop maybe?

That is Thomas's Jack, Looking at that picture brings back memories of a Toothbrush and trying to Clean it without losing any of the Original Paint/Sticker.

Do you have a Press?

 

[Dustin Echoes]

Yes, sort of. I have an arbour press, 3 ton. I usually use a BFH, and a lot of 4 letter words. I could leave it in place, but I'd like to pull it out and clean it to I can grease it in the future.

 

[Dustin Echoes]

Nice jack but put some cardboard or old carpet down to work on it! I feel sorry for your landlord.

I am the landlord, and 9D is very patient with my "peculiarities". I'm still without a proper garage, but have plans for one brewing in my head... Maybe in a few years!

 

[Dustin Echoes]

How the hell do I get the axles out of the caster wheels? Hammer-nope. Arbour press-nope. Bigger hammer and punch-hit my hand. String of curse words, stop for the night. Wifey laughs. hopefully someone here can lend me a magic wand. I got it to move a little (1 mm) quite easily. No further progress.

 

[ATC]

Are you sure there's no C-clips (or those pesky E-clips) hidden under some gunk?

It might take some heat, soaking, and more pounding...

 

[Dustin Echoes]

Nope, I've got it pretty clean, almost to bare metal. If the wheel itself wasn't so badly destroyed (pic above) I would have left it. I'm going to try one more idea, then I might just drill it out. I'll end up replacing it with a bolt, but then I can get ball bearings...sweet!

 

[Dustin Echoes]

I got it! Used a dremel to grind off the "shoulder" from original install. Looks like the ends were purposely mushroomed to keep them from coming out. 1 down, (the really bad one) 1 to go. I'm going to use bolts and bearings for the new parts.

For those who like to laugh at others: When it did let go, I was using a big punch, and a BIG hammer. Of course the last whack shot the punch through the caster, pinching my hand real good, and my hammer's follow through got the other side. Time for a cold one to nurse my lefty better...

 

[Dustin Echoes]

Alright! I've got the casters apart, the good one went with little drama. My plan is to replace all four wheels with new ones, and thought about getting simple, but custom new ones turned. Then I can use bolts for the axles, and ball bearings to make them smooth... anybody out there know what it might cost to have four wheels turned? Looking for plain steel, the front ones are 4" in diameter, the rears about 2 1/2". The center hole would depend on what bearings I get.

On the bearings note, anybody know where to source ball bearings? My closest city is Fredericton, Nb, Canada.

 

[Dustin Echoes]

Anybody have any thoughts on taking to the main parts with a pressure washer? I've got half of the body cleaned with a cup brush, but might clean the bottle off with the washer. Might get rid of some of the built up grime, make it easier to pull apart? Any risk of damage?

 

[Hiball]

Anybody have any thoughts on taking to the main parts with a pressure washer? I've got half of the body cleaned with a cup brush, but might clean the bottle off with the washer. Might get rid of some of the built up grime, make it easier to pull apart? Any risk of damage?

Lol.... No pressure washing the hydraulic unit won't damage anything (since your intending on tearing down) , Go crazy.

 

[Dustin Echoes]

Sweet! I'll pick up some degreaser, and head to the car wash tomorrow. I found some biodegradable stuff that works wonders on my engine!

 

[jrsavoie]

Is this the end of the story?