Hydraulic jack repair. Causes of breakdowns and their elimination. How to bleed a hydraulic jack, and other questions about lift maintenance Repair of a low hydraulic jack for a pavement hydraulic station

30.10.2023

A jack is a device that is used to lift a load to a small height. In ancient times, a jack was used to break down enemy gates during a siege; now it is used for peaceful purposes - to repair buildings or cars. However, it may happen that the mechanism breaks down and requires repairs itself. Therefore, it is important to know how to repair a hydraulic jack yourself.

A hydraulic jack is an easily transportable device that has maximum lifting capacity compared to other similar mechanisms. It is also distinguished among its peers by its durability.

Appearance

Operating principle

Externally, several details are visible:

Cylinder - it contains a piston and two sections with working fluid.
A pump that pumps liquid. It is connected to the cylinder by valves.
Lever arm.
Reference point.

The pump pumps liquid from the first reservoir in the front plane of the cylinder to another, which is located in the rear plane. According to the principle of communicating vessels, increased pressure is created in the section from which the fluid was removed. It pushes the piston, and it lifts the load.

The mechanism is very simple, as is the design, due to the small number of parts. It is worth considering the function of additional elements:

The base is what the pump is mounted on. The base must have a large area to compensate for the mechanical pressure when lifting the load.
Reserve tank - connected to the cylinder, it houses a lever system and a pump.
The piston rises due to the flow of oil.
Plunger - limits the height of the piston.

Jack parts

The jack is located below the object being lifted and does not require ropes, ropes, fasteners and other auxiliary parts. But it won’t be possible to hold an object suspended for a long time - the device serves solely for lifting.

How do the models differ?

The main distinguishing feature of jacks is their load capacity, pick-up and lifting height. With a focus on them, device models change. For example, the lifting height depends on the distance between the base and the support point. There are also some peculiarities in the lifting principle.

Another quality is wear resistance. Car enthusiasts for home use once a year and repair services need different mechanisms.

Before you start repairing a hydraulic jack, you need to know the model and features of its operation.

Trolley type

The entire mechanism is located on a frame, which is attached to the wheels. The compact and mobile trolley type can be used even in hard-to-reach places. The system of levers and pistons is located horizontally, making it easy to place the device under any load (for example, a car) and lift it at any angle. Additional details in the rolling model:

2 wheels,
suction and discharge pump,
lifting platform,
frame instead of base,
lever - you must press it to start the pump, which will transfer hydraulic oil through the valves into the cylinder.

Trolley type

Bottle type

A simple version with a vertical cylinder. A distinctive feature is their small size with a high load capacity - from 2 to 50 tons. The pick-up height in bottle jacks usually starts from 15 cm and ends at 30 cm. The height is adjusted using a screw located in the upper base of the rod. The bottle type is designed in such a way as to prevent slipping during operation. For this purpose, the supporting part is made corrugated.

Each jack comes with a handle, which makes it easier to use the mechanism. Those units that can withstand loads of 30 tons or more have an additional second handle. By doubling the length, the weight that the bottle jack can lift increases.

Bottle type

There are other types:

Pneumatic - a cushion is installed, connected to a source of compressed air, for example, a stationary compressor. Used when the gap between the object and the surface is small. It is also possible to use it when the support is unstable - for example, in swampy areas, sand, snow. This jack can withstand loads of up to 6 tons.
Screw - compact, standard jack for cars. Loading capacity - up to 15 tons.
Rack and pinion - has a maximum lifting height. A fastening mechanism moves along the rail, which snaps into place and rises like a ladder along with the load. Can withstand 20 tons.

Jacks differ in their drive, which can be manual or electric.

A jack handle is a mechanical lever that is used to pump fluid. Electric drive means that the mechanism has an automatic built-in pump. Repairing the electric version requires special equipment, while the bottle and rolling mechanical types can be repaired yourself.

What types of breakdowns happen and what causes them?

Hydraulic jacks are the most durable. Their malfunction may be caused by improper operation or wear of individual parts. A common problem is lifting weights that exceed the capabilities of the unit. Then you can observe the following “symptoms”:

What is observed	Where is the breakdown?	Why did it break?	What to do
Stop	In a cylinder	Not enough oil, filters may become clogged	Disassemble the device. Fill the oil compartments, clean the filters
Piston does not rise	In a cylinder	Lack of pressure due to lack of sufficient working fluid	Add liquid
The rise is very slow or, conversely, jerky	In a cylinder, system with working fluid	Air has entered the jack, which negatively affects the operation of the piston.	It is necessary to add liquid and remove air through the tubes
Low pressure	Valves	The springs have weakened Valves move away from compartments Valves are dirty	Replacing a valve or spring If possible - repair or cleaning

Note!

Mechanical damage to the jacks, both the body and the piston, is not considered. In the event of such a breakdown, repairing the jacks will be impractical - it is better to buy a new device.

In other cases, it is necessary to disassemble the mechanism and put it back together so that the following conditions are met:

The valves fit tightly.
Sufficient amount of working fluid in the departments.
There is no air in the system.

They are applicable for all models of devices, including for repairing a 5-ton jack manufactured in the USSR.

DIY repair

A hydraulic jack rarely breaks down seriously, most often the problem is contamination, valves or lack of fluid. All of these are easy to repair, as well as fixing the more rare problem of leaking.

Valve failure

On a note.

If the jack is full, but still does not hold or lift the load, it is necessary to disassemble the device and check the valves.

Attention is paid to how the valves fit into the seats. If the contact is loose, check the springs, which may have weakened. The valves could be clogged, so you need to remove the dirt with a damp piece of cloth, then dry thoroughly. If the contamination is severe, for example due to oil, then rinse with gasoline or kerosene. Then dry with compressed air.

Jack diagram

If the valves are deformed, they must be replaced with new ones.

The springs are checked and if weakened, they are replaced with more elastic ones. If it is not possible to replace, then you can place a washer under them to increase density and strength.

Liquid leak

Occurs with mechanical damage and breakage of parts. It is necessary to completely disassemble the jack, simultaneously checking metal parts, for example, the piston, for corrosion. Elements, in particular the rod, are checked for deformation. Damaged parts are replaced with new ones.

How to remove air or dirt

Air accumulation is inevitable during continuous operation. In the same way, dirt gets inside the working cavity.

The jack works on the principle of communicating vessels, that is, when the liquid leaves, pressure remains. But the air in the system does not escape under pressure, but is deformed and creates a cushion, which makes lifting impossible.

The air is eliminated when changing the oil. Dirt is removed with a sediment removal solution.

Disassembled jack

How to fill oil correctly

It is the lack of oil in the jack that leads to its poor performance. Fortunately, such a breakdown is easy to fix - you just need to add liquid. However, you should know what exactly to add.

The working fluid in a jack is often called oil. This is because it is what is used in jacks, although the device will work even on water.

High-quality fluid will ensure long-term operation of the mechanism:

Industrial types of industrial oil. But not types I30A, I40A, I50A - they are too viscous.
Brake fluid is excessively hygroscopic, that is, it absorbs water vapor. And water will eventually lead to corrosion and failure.
Branded hydraulic fluids are manufactured specifically for brake and lifting systems.
The water jack won't last long, but it will work.

You should also avoid liquids of glycol, petroleum and mineral origin. The best solution is synthetic oil, which also does not thicken in the cold.

After the fluid has been selected, it is necessary to carry out preparatory work to replace it.

First, the old fluid is drained. To do this, unscrew the plug and pump the device. Next, the jack is washed with cleaning fluid, which can be purchased at a hardware store. The solution is poured and drained. Before adding new oil, there should be no foreign liquid in the jack.

How to unscrew the plug

Afterwards, the jack is set to the lowest position, and the screw-cock is turned to the “Drain” position. Oil is poured. The required level is indicated by a mark on the jack.

The oil level must be as accurate as possible. You can’t either overfill or underfill.

After the first filling, the plug is closed and the jack is run 5-6 times. The plug is opened again and oil is poured in. It is necessary to repeat several times until the oil stops leaving.

After the final filling of the oil, a test distillation of the liquid is performed again to get rid of air. To do this, the jack is pumped - raised and lowered - until pressure appears. Excess air is released through special tubes; oil must be added in its place as it exits.

After finishing use, the jack must be freed from loads. The device should be stored in a warm and dry place. Due to excess moisture, the mechanism may rust, and cold will negatively affect the quality of the oil. It is recommended not to work with a jack in severe frost.

Loads on the device should not exceed those for which it is designed.

It is necessary to monitor the quality of the working fluid - some workshops may use recycled or low-quality industrial oil. This will lead to rapid breakdown and contamination of the jack.

With constant use, pumping (oil change) should be carried out every 2-3 months. For rare use - once every six months.

Thus, in the event of a hydraulic jack failure, it is necessary to check 3 components:

Quality and quantity of liquid.
Presence of air bubbles in the system.
Contamination, loose valve fit.

In most situations, to solve all problems with the device, it is enough to clean it and change the oil.

In order to repair a hydraulic jack as rarely as possible, you need to monitor the product and operate it correctly. Maintain the required level of liquid that seeps through the seals. Often, due to the entry of air, the load becomes jammed during lifting. Then difficulties arise when lowering it. In these cases, the jack needs to be disassembled and repaired. You can actually carry it out on your own, following a certain sequence of actions.

The hydraulic jack consists of 3 components:

Cases.
Piston.
Working fluid.

At the beginning of operation, the mechanism is placed on a flat plane, the valve closes and the rod is raised due to the movement of the lever. When deflated, the valve opens and the pressure of the load returns the rod to its place.

When the lever is pressed, fluid is pumped from the housing into the cylinder, pushing it upward. The suction and discharge valves prevent its return.

When the valve in the pump opens, the fluid returns to the housing space.

Bottle products

Bottle jacks have the ability to lift loads ranging from 3 to 200 tons. This is ensured by the presence of a large support plane.

There are 2 types of bottle machines:

Single-rod. Due to their ease of use, they are used in mechanical engineering and construction. The jack is used by car enthusiasts to lift cars. Used as a unit in a pipe bender or press.
Double-rod. Works in both vertical and horizontal positions. The device includes 2 rods. They are lifted by a cylinder.

Roll-up view

Externally, it is a cart mounted on wheels. Before work, it rolls under the lifted load.

The design is large in size, so it has found application in tire shops. Lifting is carried out by pressing the lever. When the valve opens, the stem moves down.

If a slight lowering is required, a tubular handle is used. It fits onto the valve screw and rotates it around its axis. A slight decrease in the rod begins.

This type of product has disadvantages:

Large dimensions and heavy weight of the product.
Availability of a concrete or asphalted area.

Types and causes of breakdowns

Repairing a hydraulic jack is done by yourself. To do this, all possible malfunctions and rules for eliminating them are studied. Parts are prepared in advance to replace failed ones. The main causes of breakdowns and the rules for eliminating them are known. To do this, you need to have the right tool at hand.

Hydraulic cylinder malfunction

If the hydraulic cylinder malfunctions, the oil reservoir must be removed. First the piston is disconnected. To do this, use wrenches to unscrew the screws located in the upper part. The protective rings are removed and the reservoir is pulled out. If the cylinder is damaged, it must be replaced. During installation you will need a clamp. The bolts removed from the jack are replaced with new ones. They are selected the same size. If the removed bushings are worn out, new ones are installed. Some models allow the use of the round type.

Overhang of the upper and lower rings

If the top ring flies out, the top plate is disconnected. It is first inspected for defects. The screws are unscrewed using keys. It is important to inspect the piston to make sure that the broken ring has not damaged it. After this, install a new one on the rod. In order to improve fixation, you should use a sealant.

If the lower ring flies out, the lower frame is removed. In this case, the hydraulic cylinder is inspected. Its integrity is checked. It is important that the piston moves smoothly without jamming.

To remove the frame, the jack is turned over and securely fastened. The cover is removed only after the sealing ring has been inspected. Using a screwdriver, the retractable extension is dismantled. It also requires inspection, since there is a risk of it being damaged by the ring.

If it is replaced, the markings that are stamped on the case or written down in the documentation are specified.

During installation, the rod is lubricated with machine oil. A new ring is also being installed.

Broken traction lever

The difficulty of such a repair is that it will require removal of both the traction device and the cylinder. First, the top cover is removed and the cylinder is inspected. There may be scratches on it. Sometimes the moving plate also requires replacement.

The cylinder is removed using a clamp, and the top plate is supported by rods. If the design contains several pistons, then removal of the coil is also required.

The traction device with the connected lever is located on the bottom plate. To remove the lever, use a hammer to release the rod. At the last stage, the lever is fixed to the draft mechanism.

Broken wedge grip

In the event of such a breakdown, the top plate is disconnected. To do this, unscrew 4 screws. Using a screwdriver, pry up and remove the tie. It is located near the oil system.

Then the grip, which is located on the rod, is removed. Before installing a new one, the stove is inspected. Assembly is carried out in reverse order.

Removing the jack plate

When repairing such a breakdown, the piston system is first checked. It may be damaged. Depending on the type of jack, the plate is secured with different bolts. As a rule, they have an M6 thread. There are 4 of them, and they are located along the edges. When replacing the plate, you should also check the oil system, since it may also be damaged.

Replacing the hinge

This type of repair is easy to do yourself. To do this, unscrew the bolts and remove the top plate. After this, the rod is disconnected, the loop is easily removed. It is often bent. Using a machine, its surface is leveled. In case of large deformation, it is better to replace such a product with a new one.

The fitting is not working well

This failure is directly related to poor pipeline performance. It is necessary to inspect the piston system. Due to its malfunction, the fitting experiences increased pressure. To do this, the piston assembly is dismantled and damage is looked for in it. If possible, it is eliminated. Otherwise, this part of the jack must be replaced.

Troubleshooting a pipeline

These types of repairs are carried out by service centers. At home, you can inspect the unit and make only simple repairs.

To do this, the bolts are unscrewed and the top plate is dismantled. Using a screwdriver, the tie is undermined and then removed. If an external inspection shows that the top nut is broken, then it is impossible to repair such a breakdown at home.

Repair rules and selection of spare parts

Repairing a hydraulic jack begins with disassembling it. All parts of the product have threaded connections, so you should be armed with wrenches.

The work sequence is as follows:

The oil needs to be drained. A special container is prepared for this.
The piston and valve are removed. They are undergoing a visual inspection. All dirt and rust are cleaned off.
The cause of the malfunction is a deformed rod. The jack cannot lift the load. In this case, the part needs to be replaced.
Gaskets require careful inspection. If no defects are found during an external inspection, it is still better to replace them. Often microscopic flaws are not visible, but they are the cause of the malfunction.
The oil valve is checked. Sticky dirt is removed. Due to its presence, the ball is in the wrong position and oil leaks.

All parts of the disassembled device are washed in a special liquid. Defective parts are replaced. For this purpose, spare parts are being selected. All new structural elements must have the same parameters. Repair kits are available to replace a small structural unit. They include parts and gaskets between them. Assembly is carried out in reverse order.

Oil replacement and filling rules

Before adding new oil, the old oil is completely removed. If there is flushing liquid there, it is also removed.

Before pouring a new one, all present air is eliminated. The outlet valve opens and the device goes down. Then you should carry out at least 5 pumpings. The bolt is removed from the filler neck and oil is poured through the nozzle to the required level. Then the pumping is repeated and the oil is refilled. It is important to remove all air from the system. As soon as the oil surface stops bubbling and reaches the desired level, the jack is ready for use.

Operating rules for jacks for 5 and 12 tons.

If you use the jack correctly, the number of breakdowns will sharply decrease.

To do this you need to adhere to the following rules:

Lifting loads that exceed the permissible limit is prohibited.
The work is carried out smoothly, without jerks.
Installation can only be carried out on a flat surface.
Before work, all moving joints are lubricated.
An external inspection of the device is carried out to detect cracks or oil leaks.
The oil level is checked and must be brought to normal.

To keep your hydraulic jack running smoothly, it requires monthly maintenance. Since the product is constantly under heavy loads, all parts require lubricant. It is important to prevent the presence of dirt, which leads to jamming of the device. The device is stored in a lowered position.

The hydraulic jack consists of 3 components:

Cases.
Piston.
Working fluid.

When the lever is pressed, fluid is pumped from the housing into the cylinder, pushing it upward. The suction and discharge valves prevent its return.

When the valve in the pump opens, the fluid returns to the housing space.

Bottle products

Bottle jacks have the ability to lift loads ranging from 3 to 200 tons. This is ensured by the presence of a large support plane.

There are 2 types of bottle machines:

Single-rod. Due to their ease of use, they are used in mechanical engineering and construction. The jack is used by car enthusiasts to lift cars. Used as a unit in a pipe bender or press.
Double-rod. Works in both vertical and horizontal positions. The device includes 2 rods. They are lifted by a cylinder.

Roll-up view

Externally, it is a cart mounted on wheels. Before work, it rolls under the lifted load.

The design is large in size, so it has found application in tire shops. Lifting is carried out by pressing the lever. When the valve opens, the stem moves down.

If a slight lowering is required, a tubular handle is used. It fits onto the valve screw and rotates it around its axis. A slight decrease in the rod begins.

This type of product has disadvantages:

Large dimensions and heavy weight of the product.
Availability of a concrete or asphalted area.

Types and causes of breakdowns

Hydraulic cylinder malfunction

Overhang of the upper and lower rings

If the lower ring flies out, the lower frame is removed. In this case, the hydraulic cylinder is inspected. Its integrity is checked. It is important that the piston moves smoothly without jamming.

If it is replaced, the markings that are stamped on the case or written down in the documentation are specified.

During installation, the rod is lubricated with machine oil. A new ring is also being installed.

Broken traction lever

The cylinder is removed using a clamp, and the top plate is supported by rods. If the design contains several pistons, then removal of the coil is also required.

The traction device with the connected lever is located on the bottom plate. To remove the lever, use a hammer to release the rod. At the last stage, the lever is fixed to the draft mechanism.

Broken wedge grip

In the event of such a breakdown, the top plate is disconnected. To do this, unscrew 4 screws. Using a screwdriver, pry up and remove the tie. It is located near the oil system.

Then the grip, which is located on the rod, is removed. Before installing a new one, the stove is inspected. Assembly is carried out in reverse order.

Removing the jack plate

Replacing the hinge

The fitting is not working well

Troubleshooting a pipeline

These types of repairs are carried out by service centers. At home, you can inspect the unit and make only simple repairs.

Repair rules and selection of spare parts

Repairing a hydraulic jack begins with disassembling it. All parts of the product have threaded connections, so you should be armed with wrenches.

The work sequence is as follows:

The oil needs to be drained. A special container is prepared for this.
The piston and valve are removed. They are undergoing a visual inspection. All dirt and rust are cleaned off.
The cause of the malfunction is a deformed rod. The jack cannot lift the load. In this case, the part needs to be replaced.
Gaskets require careful inspection. If no defects are found during an external inspection, it is still better to replace them. Often microscopic flaws are not visible, but they are the cause of the malfunction.
The oil valve is checked. Sticky dirt is removed. Due to its presence, the ball is in the wrong position and oil leaks.

Oil replacement and filling rules

Before adding new oil, the old oil is completely removed. If there is flushing liquid there, it is also removed.

Operating rules for jacks for 5 and 12 tons.

If you use the jack correctly, the number of breakdowns will sharply decrease.

To do this you need to adhere to the following rules:

Lifting loads that exceed the permissible limit is prohibited.
The work is carried out smoothly, without jerks.
Installation can only be carried out on a flat surface.
Before work, all moving joints are lubricated.
An external inspection of the device is carried out to detect cracks or oil leaks.
The oil level is checked and must be brought to normal.

To lift small equipment, such as a car to change a tire, there is no need to use special equipment. A lift is used for this purpose. There are many varieties of such devices. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. Regardless of the cost of the device, it is not protected from breakdowns. You can repair a hydraulic jack yourself if you follow a certain sequence during operation.

Hydraulic jack device (rolling and bottle)

The most popular types of hydraulic lift are rolling and bottle. Such devices have their own design features. Thus, the device of a hydraulic bottle jack includes a handle, a pump, a cylinder, a reservoir, a rod, a valve and a screw.

The suction valve is located on the tank connection. Due to this, when lifting the jack, hydraulic fluid does not leave the cylinder.
The valve is opened using a special screw. Thanks to this, the pressure level in the device decreases, and the lifted load falls to the ground.

The cylindrical liquid is especially important, since it is thanks to it that the load can be smoothly raised/lowered, as well as held at a certain height. It contains spindle oil, water and alcohol.

The principle of operation of a hydraulic jack is that the car is lifted by a horizontal rod resting against a special vertical mechanism. A lifting platform is attached to it, which is responsible for lifting the equipment. To lower the raised device, a special valve opens, after which air is pumped out of the system. Due to the decrease in pressure, lowering occurs.

The failure in the first case is due to the fact that the thrust rod is deformed. As a result, it bends and cannot pass through the coupling, which causes it to jam. To restore the functions of the device, it is necessary to replace the rod. The fact is that it is made of special steel, which cannot be leveled.

But hydraulics can fail for several reasons:

Machine oil, used instead of working fluid, leaks when the lift is stored in the wrong position. As a result, the oil leaks out and is replaced by air. Therefore, the operation of the device gradually slows down or stops altogether.
The inner surface of the hydraulic system is rusting. This leads to the free movement of the device being disrupted.

Such problems are usually not serious, so you can fix them yourself at home. However, repairing hydraulic jacks is sometimes impossible, so it is easier to purchase a new device.

WATCH THE VIDEO

The hydraulic bottle jack repair kit includes wrenches and an adjustable wrench. Then you should follow this sequence of actions:

Drain the oil into a prepared container.
Remove the piston and valve and inspect them carefully. If necessary, both elements are cleaned of rust accumulated on them.

Check the support rod for bending. The most common malfunction is that the hydraulic jack does not lift the load. In this case, the support rod may be deformed and require replacement.
In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to the condition of the gaskets. If one of the structural elements is deformed, then the hydraulic jack can be repaired by replacing the broken part. Even if the gaskets seem intact on the outside, it is recommended to replace them - often the damage is not visible to the eye.
If oil is leaking, then most likely the oil valve needs to be cleaned of dirt. After all, because of its appearance, the ball does not sit well in its nest.

Do-it-yourself repair of a hydraulic rolling jack ends with washing all parts with a special liquid. Then you should assemble them in reverse order. Until the device is disassembled, it will not be clear what exactly led to its failure. Therefore, in principle, all types of faults are corrected using the same algorithm, but in different cases it is necessary to replace different parts.

When selecting spare parts, it is necessary to take into account that they must fully correspond to the deformed parts.

How to fill oil correctly

The repair of jacks must be completed by updating the working fluid. Before pouring oil into the hydraulic jack, you need to check that the air is completely deflated. Otherwise, after this the system will not work at full capacity. How to bleed a hydraulic jack?

To do this, turn the outlet valve counterclockwise. The device must be completely lowered down. You can bleed a hydraulic rolling jack yourself without using additional tools.

WATCH THE VIDEO

Then you should find the hole intended for filling the oil. It is located on the reservoir in which the hydraulic fluid is stored. Remove the bolt from the filler neck, insert the nozzle and pour oil. When the liquid begins to flow out, you need to stop pouring it.

Tips for proper operation of 5 and 12 ton jacks

To avoid having to repair the rolling jack yourself, it must be used correctly. You cannot use it to lift a load that exceeds the maximum permissible - 5, 10 or 12 tons.

Loads should be lifted smoothly, without jerking. Before you climb under the car, you need to make sure that it is stable. Otherwise, the car may fall on a person, resulting in injury.

At any time, people, faced with the need to lift large loads to a certain height, used special devices that make such work easier. One of the modern types of equipment that easily and quickly lifts large loads to the required height is a hydraulic jack.

This installation, unlike many others used today, is highly reliable in use and is capable of lifting significant loads with little effort.

What does a hydraulic jack consist of?

The main parts of hydraulic jacks are:

liquid, which is most often used as oil;
device body;
a piston that extends from the cylinder.

To produce the housing of such a hydraulic device, durable hardened steel is used. The main functions of the housing are that it also serves as a guide cylinder for the retractable piston, as well as a reservoir for oil or any other working fluid.

Such a jack can be equipped with a hydraulic pump, which has an air, hand or foot drive. The retractable hydraulic cylinder and the lifting mechanism itself are located in the holes of the device body.

The most commonly used hydraulic jacks these days are bottle and rolling type. The first type is widely used in the automotive industry, as well as as power units for presses and other similar equipment. Rolling jacks differ from previous ones in the location of the working cylinder, which is not installed strictly vertically. Most often used by motorists to repair cars, as well as at service stations for the same purpose.

When is a jack repair needed?

Jacks of this variety, like any other equipment, require periodic maintenance; in addition, as a result of certain breakdowns, it may be necessary to repair the device.

So, it is sometimes necessary to add liquid to the cylinder of the device, since it can leak through the seals and oil seals. Its lack leads to a decrease in the efficiency of the device.

In addition to oil leakage, device failures may include jamming when lifting a load or air entering the cylinder. In addition, frequent breakdowns also include the inability to lower the tool after lifting, as well as failure of the mechanism even under light loads. In such and many other cases, you will need to repair the hydraulic jack, which in some cases can be done by yourself.

Oil leaks

To repair a hydraulic jack yourself, you should have a ready-made repair kit. But before you begin such work, you should familiarize yourself with the diagram of the equipment and the principle of its operation.

The most common repair that needs to be done when using this type of jack is repairing oil leaks. Why is this happening? The reason for this is usually mechanical damage to certain parts of the equipment or their wear.

When starting to repair a hydraulic jack with your own hands, you should prepare a container in advance where you can drain the old oil, as well as prepare a new fluid that will be poured into the device.

First of all, the pistons are removed and checked for signs of corrosion. It, like any contaminant, must be carefully removed. At the same time, the rod is also checked for deformation. If they are found, the part will need to be replaced.

Next you need to check the valve that allows oil to pass through. To do this, the device is removed, it is checked for any deformations or dirt. If the reason for oil leakage from the cylinder is valve deformation, it is simply replaced. If the reason that the valve ball does not completely melt into the seat is due to contamination, it is simply cleaned, which prevents the jack’s working fluid from leaking.

After this, all parts of the device are thoroughly washed with kerosene, clearing them of old oil residues and any contaminants. In addition, it would be useful to replace the sealing gaskets and cuffs.

Air or dirt entering the working cavity

During prolonged use of a hydraulic jack, air may accumulate in its working cavity, which negatively affects the efficiency of the device. Usually the reason for this lies in the lack of fluid in the hydraulic system, which is why air gets into it.

The presence of air in the main cavity causes the jack to function very slowly or not to perform its functions at all. You can fix this kind of problem yourself.

To do this, the bypass valve and oil reservoir are opened. After this, the mechanism pump is quickly pumped several times. In this way, you can quickly and effectively remove all the air that got inside the working cavity of the device during operation. Having completed this procedure, the bypass valve closes, and the plug from the oil tank is installed in its place. If everything is done correctly, the air from the working cavity will be completely removed, and the mechanism will again be able to operate at full capacity.

If such a procedure helps little or does not help at all, you can repeat it again. If necessary, you can use some other methods to eliminate the presence of air.

Another fairly effective way to help the jack is to unscrew the locking needle, use the screw to lift the plunger to the upper position and release it so that it returns to its original lower position. This procedure should be repeated several times for maximum effectiveness.

To prevent such problems from arising again in the future, you should often check the presence of a sufficient amount of liquid in the working cavity, and, if necessary, top it up in a timely manner.

Another reason why the jack may not work well or not work at all is if dirt gets into the main cavity. In this case, you need to remove the housing head, pour kerosene inside without installing the locking needle, and bleed the mechanism. After this, the kerosene is drained and clean liquid is poured into the device.