When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Mark B · 04-09-2012, 10:06 PM

When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do:

Don't look in the manual or search for any how-to information. We are guys who just inherently know how to do these things. Jump right in. How hard can it be?

Take out the two screws in the body.

Turn jack upside down to drain the oil. At the same time an unknown number of balls, springs, and other bits will fall onto the floor.

Spend at least an hour trying to determine where and how all the balls, springs, and other bits go back into the jack body.

Look up jack repair on internet and read that only "idiots" take out the two screws, and this is a great way to screw up your jack.

Still uncertain, take a guess at where everything goes.

Dismantle most of the jack frame so as to reach the oil filler plug.

Remove the plug and refill the oil reservoir with fresh oil (this in fact is OK).

Crack open a beer.

Test the jack and find that it does lift!

Enjoy a short feeling of success (because it won't last long).

Find a tiny steel ball smaller than a BB on the garage floor.

Re-test the jack and find out that it won't support any downforce. Assume the new found steel ball belongs inside the jack.

Take all the screws, balls, springs, etc. back out (for the 20th time) to see if the tiny ball fits anywhere.

Take a guess at it.

Reassemble

Test

Find out it still doesn't work.

Look for more parts overlooked on the floor and find nothing.

Say **** it.

Time to get a new jack and learn something (about reading user manuals perhaps).

Mark
aka
The Fixer
(now isn't that ironic!)

Lower · 04-09-2012, 10:10 PM

trac209 · 04-09-2012, 10:36 PM

Thanks for posting that I'm sure somebody will be saved some grief by your experience.
Posted via Mobile Device

Slinger60 · 04-09-2012, 11:44 PM

awsome post sounds just like something I would do.

BruthaMan · 04-10-2012, 12:14 AM

The story of my life. While I aspire to be like Bob Villa, my wife suggests I'm really more like Tim "The Toolman" Taylor.

oldschool18 · 04-10-2012, 12:23 AM

last jack i got was from Cornwell and if the pump ever goes bad they just give you a new pump so hopefully I never have to go through what you did except for the drinking beer part.

DorianB · 04-10-2012, 09:14 AM

Thanks Mark! I think we all feel your pain!!!

ctandc · 04-10-2012, 09:47 AM

You're a better man than me. I would have used to the jack handle to beat the rest of the jack into submission.

GMR-PERFORMANCE · 04-10-2012, 11:21 AM

I bought an aluminum jacl from Oreillys for the sand rail. It was cheap and did not weigh anything. I never thought that it would still be working. I have had it buried in the sand, and never took care of it. I needed it to swap the tires when I loaded or un load the rail from the toy hauler. Well 5 years later the jack still works like a charm. The handle breaks down , has the single wide roller in the front. I think I paid 80 bucks for it?? The ac delco jack looks just like mine... dunno maybe re lable. But cheap and works great and does not weigh a ton. maybe 25 lbs??

50bomb · 04-10-2012, 11:58 AM

Not to long ago I found out my jack wasn't workin to well. I had bought some Original steelies off a board memeber. I has jackked the first side up and was takin off first wheel to put new one on and I noticed it was lowering. Being I didn't want to fix it I had to do a "Pit crew tire change". Man I was sweating it literally. haha Still havent fixed the jack.

fastwillie 696969 · 04-10-2012, 02:02 PM

this is where i like snap on tool dude

kray59 · 04-10-2012, 02:27 PM

rats, i thought no one was watching.

Axle · 04-12-2012, 07:20 PM

Handy links for the would-be floor jack surgeon.
noidontknowwhyihavetheselinks...youdidntseemedoit.ididntseemedoiteither.waddayameanyouseeaballbearin g

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...1105&showall=1
http://www.thegaragegazette.com/index.php?topic=3822.0
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...8055&showall=1
http://www.hyjacks.com/H7.HTM

Alex.

x ReAcT x · 04-29-2012, 07:30 PM

haha story of every mans life

ETsC10 · 05-06-2012, 02:32 PM

Great thread. Cool of Axle for the links too...very good info!

77c10 · 05-07-2012, 09:23 PM

Last floor jack I bought was from Harbor Freight, when I went to checkout the kid running the register asked me if I wanted to buy the extended warranty for when it breaks. I laughed and declined his offer.

local13hutch · 05-15-2012, 06:31 AM

30 years ago I paid 49 $ for a jack that looked just like the 350$ jacks I learned...I just paid 100$ to get my 350$ jack rebuilt it's about 15 years old made in USA worth every dime....Thank you for the tips........

04-09-2012, 10:06 PM	#1
Mark B Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 145	When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: Don't look in the manual or search for any how-to information. We are guys who just inherently know how to do these things. Jump right in. How hard can it be? Take out the two screws in the body. Turn jack upside down to drain the oil. At the same time an unknown number of balls, springs, and other bits will fall onto the floor. Spend at least an hour trying to determine where and how all the balls, springs, and other bits go back into the jack body. Look up jack repair on internet and read that only "idiots" take out the two screws, and this is a great way to screw up your jack. Still uncertain, take a guess at where everything goes. Dismantle most of the jack frame so as to reach the oil filler plug. Remove the plug and refill the oil reservoir with fresh oil (this in fact is OK). Crack open a beer. Test the jack and find that it does lift! Enjoy a short feeling of success (because it won't last long). Find a tiny steel ball smaller than a BB on the garage floor. Re-test the jack and find out that it won't support any downforce. Assume the new found steel ball belongs inside the jack. Take all the screws, balls, springs, etc. back out (for the 20th time) to see if the tiny ball fits anywhere. Take a guess at it. Reassemble Test Find out it still doesn't work. Look for more parts overlooked on the floor and find nothing. Say **** it. Time to get a new jack and learn something (about reading user manuals perhaps). Mark aka The Fixer (now isn't that ironic!)

04-09-2012, 10:10 PM	#2
Lower Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Depew, OK Posts: 204	Re: When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: __________________ ~Jon Ol Green 1970 K10ish LWB,454/400/205, been in family since new. My build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=516056

04-09-2012, 10:36 PM	#3
trac209 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: winnipeg Posts: 1,107	Re: When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: Thanks for posting that I'm sure somebody will be saved some grief by your experience. Posted via Mobile Device

04-09-2012, 11:44 PM	#4
Slinger60 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redding Ca. Posts: 207	Re: When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: awsome post sounds just like something I would do. __________________ 1969 C10 LWB GMC. 1970 K5 Blazer 1971 K10 Burb Build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=529970 Shawn

04-10-2012, 12:14 AM	#5
BruthaMan US Army Veteran Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,049	Re: When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: The story of my life. While I aspire to be like Bob Villa, my wife suggests I'm really more like Tim "The Toolman" Taylor. __________________ 1972 C10 Highlander - The making of a daily driver

04-10-2012, 12:23 AM	#6
oldschool18 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Hollidaysburg, PA Posts: 785	Re: When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: last jack i got was from Cornwell and if the pump ever goes bad they just give you a new pump so hopefully I never have to go through what you did except for the drinking beer part. __________________ _________________________________ 62 Impala 70 C-10 LWB 71 K-10 SWB 85 C-10 LWB==SOLD 01 2500 HD Members Met......2003Silverado (Dave)

04-10-2012, 09:14 AM	#7
DorianB Registered User Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Buford, Ga Posts: 205	Re: When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: Thanks Mark! I think we all feel your pain!!! __________________ In my opinion, it works best to have the seat out so you have room to flop your body around while standing on your head. -ashx2

04-10-2012, 09:47 AM	#8
ctandc Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: VA Posts: 284	Re: When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: You're a better man than me. I would have used to the jack handle to beat the rest of the jack into submission. __________________ ____________________________

04-10-2012, 11:21 AM	#9
GMR-PERFORMANCE Registered User Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Keller TX Posts: 836	Re: When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: I bought an aluminum jacl from Oreillys for the sand rail. It was cheap and did not weigh anything. I never thought that it would still be working. I have had it buried in the sand, and never took care of it. I needed it to swap the tires when I loaded or un load the rail from the toy hauler. Well 5 years later the jack still works like a charm. The handle breaks down , has the single wide roller in the front. I think I paid 80 bucks for it?? The ac delco jack looks just like mine... dunno maybe re lable. But cheap and works great and does not weigh a ton. maybe 25 lbs?? __________________ 62 long box with a little SBC http://www.67-72chevytrucks.com/vboa...d.php?t=510631 http://good-times.webshots.com/album/561798652HdwqzG

04-10-2012, 11:58 AM	#10
50bomb Registered User Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Hemet,Ca Posts: 1,502	Re: When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: Not to long ago I found out my jack wasn't workin to well. I had bought some Original steelies off a board memeber. I has jackked the first side up and was takin off first wheel to put new one on and I noticed it was lowering. Being I didn't want to fix it I had to do a "Pit crew tire change". Man I was sweating it literally. haha Still havent fixed the jack.

04-10-2012, 02:02 PM	#11
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	Re: When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: this is where i like snap on tool dude __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex

04-10-2012, 02:27 PM	#12
kray59 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: mauriceville texas Posts: 164	Re: When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: rats, i thought no one was watching.

04-12-2012, 07:20 PM	#13
Axle Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SW Ontario Posts: 1,200	Re: When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: Handy links for the would-be floor jack surgeon. noidontknowwhyihavetheselinks...youdidntseemedoit.ididntseemedoiteither.waddayameanyouseeaballbearin g http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...1105&showall=1 http://www.thegaragegazette.com/index.php?topic=3822.0 http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/s...8055&showall=1 http://www.hyjacks.com/H7.HTM Alex.

04-29-2012, 07:30 PM	#14
x ReAcT x Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia Posts: 219	Re: When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: haha story of every mans life __________________ 1986 GMC K15 4.3V6/SM465/NP205 will be converting to 5.3LS E-ROD/AA adapter/SM465/NP205 10 Bolt Axle Rebuild Tutorial: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=536415

05-06-2012, 02:32 PM	#15
ETsC10 Hand Crafted C-10 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Burien, WA Posts: 5,180	Re: When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: Great thread. Cool of Axle for the links too...very good info!



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05-07-2012, 09:23 PM	#16
77c10 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Gallatin, TN Posts: 782	Re: When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: Last floor jack I bought was from Harbor Freight, when I went to checkout the kid running the register asked me if I wanted to buy the extended warranty for when it breaks. I laughed and declined his offer. __________________ 77 C10, 6.0LS/4L80E, 3:73 12 bolt. Boss 338's 20" x 10" w/ 285/50/20 rear. 20" x 8.5" w/ 245/40/20 front. Vintage Air. Full Autometer gauges recessed in factory bezel (Thanks bigblock73!) Gm Storm Grey Metallic paint "Cool ain't ever cheap and cheap ain't ever cool"

05-15-2012, 06:31 AM	#17
local13hutch MEMBER Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: garden grove, ca Posts: 185	Re: When your floor jack stops working, here's what not to do: 30 years ago I paid 49 $ for a jack that looked just like the 350$ jacks I learned...I just paid 100$ to get my 350$ jack rebuilt it's about 15 years old made in USA worth every dime....Thank you for the tips........ __________________ 86 sub 4wd, 1 ton, duallie, big block th475 72 c10 short fleet, pro street 72 K/5 blazer,2x4 almost stock 72 3/4 ton sub 4x4 61 morris minor pickup, chevy 4.3 v6 03 escalade, 24" momo's wifes 96 2wd 2door tahoe 67 2wd suburban 72 4wd k5 99 vortec 14bolt/d60 205/th400- 72 4wd crewcab 1 ton sb cummins allison -2012 2ss camaro black hard top- 8 yamaha quads- 05 4wd one ton duramax dually, family limo.

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