Every motorist sooner or later is faced with the need to use such an important automobile unit as a rolling jack. Repairing a car or replacing wheels very often cannot do without this device. But first you need to figure out what kind of mechanism.
A jack is a special device that allows you to lift and fix a heavy weight at a certain height. Each owner of the car will be able to appreciate its advantages.
The most convenient and effective device is considered to be a hydraulic jack, which works thanks to a special hydraulic oil and piston. Such a rolling jack, the repair of which is very easy to carry out, is useful not only to car repair masters, but also to every owner of an iron friend.
The principle of operation of the rolling jack
The rolling jack is considered hydraulic, but has a slightly different structure. The appearance of the case distinguishes it from others, since it adds two pairs of new wheels. The device is able to gradually raise the car, while it itself rolls under it. The rolling jack (device and repair can be studied independently) is set in motion by swinging the lever. But to lower it, you need to use a special valve screw, turning it.
There are various types of rolling hydraulic jacks. They are divided according to the weight of the cars that they have to lift. It can be both cars, weighing up to three tons, and trucks, weighing about twenty tons. Despite such enormous weight indicators, a hydraulic jack-lift performs its work quickly and efficiently.
The main causes of breakdowns
A rolling jack, which can be repaired at home, can have several causes of breakdowns. The most common of them are: complete or partial failure of the device to lift heavy loads, as well as oil leakage. Each of these problems requires immediate repair.
A rolling jack (repair, oil change, characteristics are described in detail in this article) very often fails as a result of oil leakage. In this case, you have to completely disassemble the device. Be sure to remove the pistons and check for corrosion on them. Thoroughly clean all structural elements and remove all possible contaminants. Now check the stock. If you find that it has a curved and broken shape, then you can not even try to repair it yourself. In this case, most likely you will have to purchase a new jack.
Another common cause of failure of the device is the clogging or breakage of special valves, which, in fact, are responsible for lowering and raising the mechanism.
Rolling Jack: Valve Repair
Starting to repair the oil leak valve, unscrew it and check for accumulated dirt. Also, do not forget to pay attention to the presence of various types of deformations. If you find even the slightest change in the appearance of the valve, immediately replace it with a new one.
If you find a large accumulation of contaminants, then without cleaning the valve, you will begin to notice how the oil flows out. This is due to the fact that the ball does not fit very tightly into the socket.
Flushing valves
Repair of rolling hydraulic jacks should begin with a thorough flushing of the valves. This is done in order to thoroughly clean the device from all accumulated contaminants. Before carrying out this procedure, prepare a special container in advance in which you will merge the old liquid. While the fluid will drain, be sure to bleed the system. This must be done using the working lever by lowering and raising.
After this procedure, which in no case can be ignored, should be flushing the valves, cleaning the device from the remnants of the old working fluid and accumulated contaminants. Do-it-yourself car jack repair implies the mandatory replacement of all cuffs and gaskets. If contaminants are directly on the work surface, clean it by unscrewing the housing head.
Now fill the tank with special flushing liquid or kerosene and pump. After you do this, fill the tank with clean working fluid.
Air bubble malfunction
Very often, the jack can start to function poorly for a reason such as an accumulation of air bubbles in the work area. Most often, this phenomenon is observed with a very small amount of oil.
Repair of rolling hydraulic jacks with such a problem can be carried out at home. First you have to remove the plug in the oil tank, while opening the bypass valve. After this procedure, you should quickly pump the pump of your jack. By the way, you need to do this at a very fast pace. With this procedure, you can transfer the bubbles into an oil tank.
Now that you have completed this procedure, be sure to close the oil tank cap and the bypass valve itself. If you strictly follow all the instructions, then your jack will begin to work perfectly, as well as only after purchase. If after this procedure you were able to detect residual air, then repeat these steps one more time.
Another way to remove air
The method described above is not the only one for removing air bubbles. This can be done in another way. To do this, unscrew the locking needle two turns. Now raise the plunger by hand, bringing it to the extreme point. After raising it, he will return to his lower position. Perform this action several times.
In order to prevent air from entering the work surface, do not forget to monitor the oil level and top it up on time.
Choosing and buying a quality jack
If you want to buy a rolling jack 3t, then, despite how expensive your tool is, it will still break periodically. Therefore, you just need to familiarize yourself with the basic rules for its operation, as well as with the basics of home repair. In order to do the repair work yourself, do not forget to buy a special set of wrenches, as well as special flushing fluid and oil.
When choosing a hydraulic rolling jack, several parameters need to be considered. If you want to use it at home, then you can buy a unit that will ideally fit the weight of your car. Most often this is a rolling jack 3t. If you want to buy a device for work in a workshop, then a device with a large payload and a high lifting speed will come in handy. When buying a jack, it’s better not to save money, since a quality product will break less often and will last you much longer.
Care Rules
If the rolling jack does not lift 2 tons , repairs can be carried out at home. But to prevent this from happening, timely preventive measures should be taken. Of course, no one says that the device will last infinitely long, but you can extend its service life several times.
Create good storage conditions for the jack. Watch the quantity and quality of the working fluid. Clean the appliance from contamination in time. Do not forget that the device is not recommended to be heavily overloaded.
How to fill in oil
To get started, prepare the jack. Check that it is completely omitted. Now find the hole designed to fill the oil. Remove the bolt and begin the process of filling the barrel. Fill with oil until it starts to leak. Once you find this, stop the process immediately. Complete the process by closing the neck with a cap.
Useful Tips
Immediately before the oil filling process, carefully read the operating instructions for exactly your model of a rolling hydraulic jack. Indeed, sometimes there are cases when the oil filling process is slightly different from that described above.
Before using it is recommended to get rid of excess accumulated air in the device. Raise the device and lower it to a minimum. This way you remove all unnecessary air.
Use only time-tested fluids. Do not use liquids containing alcohol.