I've got this old floor jack that was given to me about 5 years ago. It's worked great, until recently it's been acting like it's low on oil. It will only jack up at the very end of the handle travel, and now won't raise under load at all.

So I went and got some jack oil for it, but when I open the plug, oil comes pouring out. I've tried it raised, lowered, locked, unlocked, everything. If I hold the jack vertically, I can open it, but it will only take a few drops.

Is there some trick I'm missing, or is it full, and it's just time to buy a new jack?

It sucks, because I just did my brakes, and now I can't get the Blazer off the jack stands. Guess it's time to get out the hi-lift.

 

sounds like the seals are gone in the jack. Dont quote me on it tho

 

Yeah, that's what my googling has led me to believe, also. I think I might try and find a seal kit for it, before I trash it.

 

Sometimes its not worth fixing... I got like 3 out back that I threw in the scrap pile....

 

I'm just cheap! I'll try and fix it, it probably couldn't cost much for some o-rings.

 

Apparently the tow hooks aren't a suitable jacking location. Now my passenger side has a nice upward rake to it, and I didn't even get it off the jack stand. My cobalt jack, plus a couple bricks got the job done, though.

Now I see the need to fab up some rock sliders. Other than the trailer hitch, I don't really have any good jack points.

 

Is the jack handle turning the bolt for lowering and raising. My jack handle hex end wore out and would not turn the jack bolt. I ended up drilling the end of the jack handle out and pressed in the correct size socket.

 

It's turning it. It has a sprocket on one end of where the handle goes in, and it mates with another sprocket mounted on the main block. I can visually see it turning.

 

floor jacks dont like being put in other positions than flat on all wheels

it sounds like you might have an air lock

Try standing on end ,ram up ,valve open for 24hrs
Maybe even take out the fill plug at the same time