3 Ton floor jack issues

[Jay87T]

Hey guys, my chinees made 3 ton floor jack has been working good for many years, this year when I went to use it, it pumps my car up to about 3/4 of the max way up, and wont pump up any more its as if there is no more pressure, I opened up the oil screw when the jack was lowered and it has oil in it. what to look for next? Thanks.
 

[George Marsh]

JAY,
If it's full of oil, I have no idea how to fix it. Try adding a little oil when it's in the air and see if it goes higher.

If you watch HF, you can get a nice 3 tons for $69, perhaps cheaper. I bought 2 from there. Only had them for 6 months, no problems.

It's sad to say that finding parts to fix some things if next to impossible. It's also sad to say we live in a throw away society. We don't fix computers, TV's, cell phones, printers, and the list goes on. It's cheaper to pitch them and buy new.

George
 

[BJohn]

Jay, Don't toss that jack, yet! I read this quick fix on a truck forum a while back. It helped me with a 3-ton Craftsman jack that gave me troubles from day one. After three years of cursing the slow action while pumping it works like new.
In a nutshell, there's a valve that sticks. Here's how you fix it: stand on the wheels so it doesn't roll - release the handle like you would lower the jack - reach down and lift the lift arm and platform - "drop" it down and repeat a few times. This can "unstick" the valve if that's the problem. Worked for me.
You may have air in the system as well. Raise the end with the bleed hole while filling just to make sure. Don't add oil while it's extended -you'll make it a squirt gun or it'll lock up! Good luck. John
 

[Jay87T]

Ok thanks BJohn, I will try that out!
Jay
 

[Dalex]

I rebuilt 3 of them at work a while back. They have cheap seals on the ram that disintegrate. If there is a little rust or roughness in the cyl. it quits pumping up at that spot and leaks past it . I took my seal samples to our seal supplier here in L.A. and they had them all in stock !! I honed the cyls , installed new seals and all 3 worked !! They were only $3-$4 each. You will need a big wrench to get the tank nut loose , the one the ram slides through . I think Baum Iron & Hyd is a supplier in the midwest Maybe someone can help with that .
 

[Floor jack]

Ad some more hyd. jack oil. That's probably all it needs.