Problems with Harbor Freight jack

[Sharkey]

I have had the current jack for about 9 months now. http://www.harborfreight.com/1500-lb-capacity-atv-motorcycle-lift-2792.html
For the last few days it has been bleeding down like the release pedal is slighty depressed. It even bleeds down when not loaded. If the jack finally gets high enough it will hold. If was fairly inexpensive around $65. Do I try to fix it or just buy a new one? I followed the directions in the manual to bleed it for air.. no avail. I removed the release pedal and tapped the area slightly incase something was sticking. If I do repair, where to start??

[Walküre]

Judging by the picture, you might be able to just replace the jack itself, with one of a bit higher quality. Or, try to find out if it is an adjustment, allowing it to not totally be "turned off", or whether it's the jack itself, leaking down.

I am planning on getting one of those jacks, in the next few weeks, and I'll be looking hard at it - I have a pretty complete shop, and will probably modify it somewhat, regardless - that's the kind of guy I am!

If you haven't done anything before then, I'll try to remember and report back what I find. I know I can re-build one of these, for a lot less money than SOME of the jacks out there - $200-300+. I'll also be making some of the adapters that you find on ebay...

R

[hueco]

Have you took it back to Harbor Freight? Any jack will "bleed" down. There is a safety catch on these jacks. I have had one for two years and it works fine. I always use the safety latch. Stupid is as stupid does. It is made in China. What do you expect for the price? If it jacks up as high as you need it. Set the safety latch and forgetaboutit. Not exactly rocket surgery.

[Bone]

I have the Sears Jack that worked fine the first season. The second year it started to bleed down slowly with a load. I started always going high enough to use a stop for safety. I did bleed the pump and that helped. Reading the owners instructions they recommended changing the oil every (?) year. Not sure if that is correct I will have to check. I bought a bottle of Hydraulic Jack oil and did change the oil and it works better than new.
That was 3 years or so ago.
Worked for my Jack.

Found the handbook. The oil should be changed "at least " once a year.
The Jacks can get air trapped in the system during shipping and handling.

[Joe Hummer]

Maybe HF uses the same grease they do in their trailer wheel bearings.  (That stuff looked more like vasoline than grease!!).  I would go for replacing the fluid and see where that gets you.  I have a craftsman lift and it bleeds down too so I always use the lock on it.  I have had bikes sit on it for weeks without a problem. 

Joe

[hubcapsc]

I have the Sears Jack that worked fine the first season. The second year it started to bleed down slowly with a load.

Me three... a guy at Church who used to rebuild jacks (apparently, there's no money in it) told me
it would almost certainly start working right again if I took it apart, replaced the O-rings and
put it back together... I guess he never saw all those radios I took apart when I was a kid  ...

-Mike

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

Have you took it back to Harbor Freight? Any jack will "bleed" down. There is a safety catch on these jacks. I have had one for two years and it works fine. I always use the safety latch. Stupid is as stupid does. It is made in China. What do you expect for the price? If it jacks up as high as you need it. Set the safety latch and forgetaboutit. Not exactly rocket surgery.

ditto Mine doesn't bleed down after 4 years of use, but I also use the safety catch just in case.

[Walküre]

There USED to be money in repairing jacks - every 5 years or so, replace seals, etc, and good for another 5. But a good jack was $50, and manufactured (in America) to close tolerances, using good steel, and a rebuild was ~$15.  Now that jack costs $5, cheap, Chinese steel, no tolerances kept, and lasts 5 weeks. I have some 30 year old jacks that work better than a new jack. It's a shame, really. But I don't know of any jacks made in the USA. Does anyone?

I will still try and "fix" the HF jack when I get it. But again, I'm pretty fortunate having a nice shop.

I have the Sears Jack that worked fine the first season. The second year it started to bleed down slowly with a load.

Me three... a guy at Church who used to rebuild jacks (apparently, there's no money in it) told me
it would almost certainly start working right again if I took it apart, replaced the O-rings and
put it back together... I guess he never saw all those radios I took apart when I was a kid  ...

-Mike

[KY,Dave (AKA Misunderstood)]

There USED to be money in repairing jacks - every 5 years or so, replace seals, etc, and good for another 5. But a good jack was $50, and manufactured (in America) to close tolerances, using good steel, and a rebuild was ~$15.  Now that jack costs $5, cheap, Chinese steel, no tolerances kept, and lasts 5 weeks. I have some 30 year old jacks that work better than a new jack. It's a shame, really. But I don't know of any jacks made in the USA. Does anyone?
I will still try and "fix" the HF jack when I get it. But again, I'm pretty fortunate having a nice shop.

I have the Sears Jack that worked fine the first season. The second year it started to bleed down slowly with a load.

Me three... a guy at Church who used to rebuild jacks (apparently, there's no money in it) told me
it would almost certainly start working right again if I took it apart, replaced the O-rings and
put it back together... I guess he never saw all those radios I took apart when I was a kid  ...

-Mike

http://www.usjack.com/

[daytona]

Stop waisting time with that junk lifting this big bike! for a few $ more these work for ever, sturdy, if you can pick it up yourself they cost just over a c note. Shipping is the killer.  Motorcycle/ATV Lift, Hydraulic, 1,500 lb. Capacity, 3 1/2 in. to 16 3/4 in. Lift Range, Steel, Gray, part OTC-1545

[daytona]

http://qualitytoolsforless.com/Product.aspx?ProductID=3179

[fat6man]

One thing everyone should check are the welds on these jacks for the locking Mechanism just to be on the safe side. Wouldn't want to spill your valk     Especially on Yourself!!!


Happy Wrenching     

[tank_post142]

BIG $$$ american made: http://www.pitbullmotorcyclelifts.com/

another http://www.jsjacks.com/products.htm

many people like the sears jack: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950190000P

[KerryNolan]

BIG $$$ american made: http://www.pitbullmotorcyclelifts.com/

another http://www.jsjacks.com/products.htm

many people like the sears jack: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950190000P

I use the PitBull also, expensive, but clearly well made.
Kerry