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2 Ton floor jack ???? UPDATE

montanajoe
  • Community moderator
I've got a 2 ton automotive floor jack that I bought 40 yrs ago. You know,the orange and white ones.
It still works. I realized however,that it is in fact 40 years old. I have never drained,re-filled,or added hydraulic oil to this jack.
Should I have done this in the past,should I do this now? Or let it go another 40? I'd sure hate to use it and have it fail.
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Comments

20 comments

Date Votes
  • Horse Plains Drifter
    Let 'er go another 40.
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  • p3skyking
    If it works don't screw with it.
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  • Ditch-Runner
    the old saying not broke do not fix it . I have jacks thet old as long asy work I do not mess with them even bought a few new ones from harbor freight and the internet ..
    as for failing ... use jack stands never work on anything just supported with a jack ( think O ring protecting your life )


    when I was a kid I switched out clutches and transmissions with just a bumper jack (or a bottle jack a few times ) and no other supports not even wood or cement blocks . I was dumb-ass lucky but no money or access to tools you do stupid things .
    by the time my sons came along I made sure they did not follow my stupidness ( well at least working on a car )safety was 1st,, jack stands safety glasses no exceptions
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  • toad67
    If it fails no big deal. Jacks are made to raise and lower objects, not to be worked underneath of. That's what jack stands are for MJ..
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  • remingtonoaks
    It's not as if you have jacked it up and down at 3000 to 4000 RPMs per hours for hours at a time like an engine runs... Plus it is a sealed system, so there is no way dirt can get into it...

    (And if you can operate a jack that fast, remind me never to get in a fight with you!!!)[:0]

    So no, the hydraulic fluid does not need to be changed. As far as adding to it.. it's a sealed system, unless it's leaking you don't need to add anymore to it.

    at this point if you open it up you'll probably break the O-ring on the filler plug. But that you can change easily enough. But again, unless it is leaking, you do not need to open it up


    There is no way a Jack can fail unless the O-rings leak/wear-out, or you overload it. No matter how old it is. But with that said, do not work under any Jack without jack stands period, just in case your o-rings blowout. Which can happen, that's why you do not work without jack stands
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  • Smitty500mag
    Never ever get under a vehicle without jack stands. No matter if it's a new jack or an old one.

    I pulled my neighbor out from under his car that had fallen on him and he was dead as a door nail while his girl friend stood there watching while screaming and crying at the top of her lungs. A sight I have never forgotten and never will.

    Sometimes I don't have enough room to work under my car for the amount of jack stands I have under there with me.
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  • yoshmyster
    I think I got one of those. Heavy sum bitch. Like yours mine still works so I ain't a buying.
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  • jimdeere
    Do not drain the oil out of it! They have little tiny steel balls in the cylinder that will roll out and you can't get them back right.
    Yep, I sure did.
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  • Mobuck
    This is the FIRST time I've heard anyone considering changing the oil in hydraulic jack.
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  • hillbille
    if you do be sure you don't mix it with synthetic........
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  • Okie743
    Leave it as is.

    A symptom of low Hydralic oil level (needing little bit of oil) is usually a floor jack don't want to go all the way up or takes more pumps to get it lifting at the upper travel limit.

    You say you don't want it to FAIL.
    If it fails to go up, just remove the fill plug and with the jack at the low end of travel fill to the oil hole. Do not fill with the jack at the raised position.

    If you mean FALL. (always use safety jack stands), but a hydralic jack usually won't fall fast all at once due to low fluid level, they don't want to lift a load or extra pumps are needed to get a lift.
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  • grumpygy
    Just have to ask has it leaked.
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  • spasmcreek
    have 2 HF floor jacks forever ..OK have the little trolley jacks on vehicles with a chunk of 2x6..lots safer than the dinky screw jack usually stuffed in em
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  • montanajoe
    • Community moderator
    quote:Originally posted by grumpygy
    Just have to ask has it leaked.
    Nope gunny,has never leaked.
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  • NeoBlackdog
    Properly oriented CMU's are your friend...[;)]
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  • montanajoe
    • Community moderator
    quote:Originally posted by NeoBlackdog
    Properly oriented CMU's are your friend...[;)]
    [:D][:D][:D][;)]
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  • montanajoe
    • Community moderator
    UPDATE,,,,

    I have left it alone,AND will continue to do so. Thanks all.
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  • remingtonoaks
    quote:Originally posted by montanajoe
    UPDATE,,,,

    I have left it alone,AND will continue to do so. Thanks all.


    You my good sir, are a smart man...
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  • montanajoe
    • Community moderator
    I woulda bet though that even in a sealed system,after 40 years,the hydraulic fluid would have broke down. Even radio active material has a faster half life. [:0][:0][:0][:0]
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  • BikerBob
    I have one that my wife and I had given to her dad one Christmas some 30-35 years ago. A big Sears Craftsman with that 3.5 foot handle. I probably should hit the grease fittings with some fresh lube.

    Still works like a champ.
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