Floor Jack Repair

[rn240sx]

Maybe im in the wrong section, if so, mods feel free to move it....

I have a Michelin 3.5 ton (7k lb) floor jack and its loosing its power. It has gotten to the point where it will only lift one time per day. I put it in the rear of my car, lift it up, put the jack stands under and the jack is dont for the day. It will not lift the car back up to remove the stands. So the jack will have to sit overnight to rest or whatever is wrong with it, then it will lift the car up again... but only once.While its holding up the car, it makes a funny metal hitting sound noise every 10 sec.. and it starts to lower like 1/4 inch every 30 sec...I know something is wrong with it, its been over 4 yrs and it needs to be serviced, but i have no clue on what to do to it...I bought some hydraulic jack oil but now i need to drain and refill it i guess..??

[frapjap]

Hell of a question. I'll be watching this thread for an answer.

[r34 gtr]

You'll need to take it apart and replace the seals in the cylinder, then refill it with the new oil. Almost every floor jack thats worth a damn is rebuildable like that. I helped my friend rebuild his last year and it only took us an hour or so. I wish I could tell you exactly how to do it, but I assume every one is a little different. It shouldn't be hard.

Heres a thread on a hot rod forum about rebuilding the Michelin floor jack.

http://www.hotrodders.com/foru....html

[bobotech]

Good thread.

My floor jack is now about 10 years old and won't lift much more than half its original height.

I think its low on oil and needs seals too.

[Zyphar]

Oh man. I don't know how you can still work when you know that your jack isn't working properly. I would get that thing fixed ASAP.

It's surprising though that my dad's jack is at least 10 years old and it hasn't worn out yet. I don't trust it all that much though.

[Mr1der]

your seals are probably shot.

might be better off to get a new jack.

[dalzell240]

buy a new jack, we had a 2ton i think that took a dump and we got a new one at harbor freight for $50 its a 3ton ithink