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Old January 9th 16, 06:42 PM posted to rec.autos.tech
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Default How to refill a leaking Sam's club "Michelin" floor jack

On Sunday, December 20, 2015 at 11:41:15 AM UTC-8, wrote:
> On Sunday, March 1, 2009 at 6:23:08 PM UTC-5, Comboverfish wrote:
> > Way back when, in one or more newsgroups, I suggested the blue 3.5 ton
> > quick rise jack as sold by Sam's Club, to those who were looking for a
> > cheap, functional, and strong floor jack for home use. I wanted to
> > offer some tips I recently discovered when confronted with the problem
> > of fixing or replacing mine due to low fluid level. It should be
> > noted that I didn't "fix" it per se, but gave it a longer life. The
> > seals, even if available, wouldn't be worth spending money on when
> > this jack only leaks fluid a couple drops per year.
> >
> > Here's a pic I found so you know which jack I'm talking about:
> > http://www.supermotors.net/getfile/3...e/P1010044.JPG
> >
> > Having topped off hydraulic jacks and other types of chambers before,
> > this one turned out to be a bit more diffcult to fill than in past
> > experiences.
> >
> > The symptom was that the jack would 'quick rise' OK, but after about
> > 8" of loaded lifting, the functional stroke of the handle would start
> > decreasing, and by the time it was near fully lifted, there would
> > hardly be any stroke left.
> >
> > Here's how to refill it (there may be easier ways but I couldn't get
> > it to work any other way):
> >
> > 1) Locate the magnetic parts bin and remove it from the jack frame.
> > This will uncover the three threaded plugs that are used to adjust or
> > service the jack. Look for the one "by itself"... IOW, two will be
> > close together, and the third one will be spaced apart from them.
> > Aquire at least one pint of new hydraulic jack oil. Don safety
> > apparel and position the jack over some rags or something very
> > absorbant. With the jack pad down and the handle valve released,
> > unscrew this plug, accurately counting the turns until it is
> > completely unthreaded. Do this slowly as fluid will come out under
> > slight pressure; it will make a mess. If you pulled out the correct
> > plug, it will have a small tip on the end of it that engages with a
> > spring inside the plug hole. Be sure to remember the number of
> > turns. Mine was threaded about 6.5 turns.
> >
> > 2) Kneel on the jack frame or otherwise keep it from lifting off the
> > ground, then grab the lift pad/saddle with one hand while holding the
> > oil bottle in the other hand. Keep in mind that as you lift the pad
> > through it's arc, there are braces going through complex motions, so
> > keep your fingers clear of this potentially pinchy situation. To
> > avoid moving parts, you can grab only the pad and lift up this way,
> > since it is made to stay in place (unlike with most jack saddles that
> > are designed to interchange easily).
> >
> > 3) Very slowly lift the pad while drizzling oil into the plug hole.
> > As you lift the pad/arm, the fluid level will lower in this hole. If
> > you hear an "air sucking" noise, you went too fast and/or didn't add
> > enough oil. Slower is better here.
> >
> > 4) Once you reach the top of the arm's range, you can push it slightly
> > further and it will go into the "service lock" position. This will
> > hold it up while you complete step 4. Now reinstall the plug
> > temporarily, atleast a few turns to make sure it doesn't leak.
> >
> > 5) "Unlock" the arm and let it fall to the bottom under it's own
> > weight and return spring pressure. Tighten the handle valve. Put
> > pressure on the pad with one hand so the quick lift feature doesn't
> > engage, and pump the jack up as high as it will go before the stroke
> > becomes less than 100% effective.
> >
> > 6) Postured as you were in step 2, grab the pad with one hand and keep
> > it in this position. Now open the handle valve with the other hand
> > and lower the handle to the floor if it isn't there already. Remove
> > the plug again while still holding the pad at this height. Repeat
> > steps 3 through 6 until you find that the jack exhibits 100% strokes
> > all the way up to full loaded position. This took me more steps than
> > I cared to count, but probably because of all the trial and error. I
> > would think you vould get it done in about 10 steps. It might take
> > 1/2 hour at worst.
> >
> > I think the internal quick rise feature is why A) there are 3 service
> > plugs and B) a standard reservoir fill and bleed wouldn't work for
> > me. HTH.
> >
> > Toyota MDT in MO

>
> Or you can just pop the rubber plug at the top of the cylinder (visible with the magnetic tray removed), and add oil. I do it al the time until I rebuild it with new seals.


I did this with mine and it worked fine for an hour or so, then the plug popped out. It did it twice. Why is this happening?
Thank you!
Jorge
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