,,, bleedin' trolley jack,,,


Recommended Posts

come on you mechanics out there,,,,

I have a cheap 'mini' trolley jack, that's been worth it's weight in gold,,,,, but just lately, I can't get it high enough (again) - does this happen to all old things ??

It now only has half of the bleeding instructions now,,,, so can you guys fill it in ?

When I jack up the old motor, the jack will only go to about 2/3rds way up. The destructions say:

"open release valve (to lower arm) & loosen Air Vent. Pump a few times then,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"

I'm assuming that at some point I close the Air vent screw,,,, but this is where the correct procedure would be appreciated.

As I'm a bit disabled, I don't want to chance it,,,, Justin Case it fails on the day. If I have the strength to get under the car, I don't want to waste it on re adjusting the jack,,,, or I won't be able to get on with the job in hand !

cheers folks

BAZ

Link to post
Share on other sites

It needs more oil in it! They gradually loose the oil over time so need topping up. Typically there is a fitting on top of the cylinder where you can add oil. Mine has a very small hole so adding oil is a slow process - but it does work. Use power steering fluid!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks mate,

I had always assumed that it was fluid run,,,, but it dosn't seem to be !

It only made sense to me if it was fluid,,,,,,, and that would have been the next question.

I was sure that before the label was rubbed off it only mentioned pumping 'air' (it does mention 'air' vent),,,,, but cos I didn't need the info' then - it didn't register properly (if at all).

No name on it - 'cept Made in Tiawan - so no-one to contact.

Will see if there are conflicting views.

cheers limey

Link to post
Share on other sites

Baz - the procedure you quote in the first post is to bleed air out of the hydraulic system - hence the confusion. You may find that the air bleed screw is also the place to add oil! Then run the jack through several cycles to get the trapped air out, and you should be good to go!

Link to post
Share on other sites
Baz - the procedure you quote in the first post is to bleed air out of the hydraulic system - hence the confusion. You may find that the air bleed screw is also the place to add oil! Then run the jack through several cycles to get the trapped air out, and you should be good to go!

Spot on eric,,,,,, makes sense when someone else says it !

thanks

Link to post
Share on other sites
I've never had any problems in what you were hinting at in your first post Baz....

Bip.

well done mate,,,,,,,

when you walk around holiday resorts down here in mid summer,,,,, jacks always go high enough,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Link to post
Share on other sites

And remember - don't rely on the jack when you get underneath the car. use somat to make sure it can't lower it'sen while you are under it, such as wood chocks or somat similar. Preferrably axle stands. :smile:

Link to post
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...