leaking floor jack

cantdrv55 · 10-23-2004, 10:57 PM

My floor jack lost most of its fluid so I went to Kragen to find some more. The sales people there had no idea what to sell me and I have no idea what type of fluid is in that thing. Can you help? Thanks.

HarryD · 10-24-2004, 12:33 AM

My old jack started leaking and I found a bottle labelled "hydraulic jack oil" at my one of my local Auto Parts stores. Call a few, one of them will have it. Failing that, go to an industrial hose/filter shop.

Steeve · 10-24-2004, 06:31 AM

Sears sells it. It is hydraulic jack oil, IIRC.

COLDBASS · 10-24-2004, 08:36 AM

Although this is not an endorsement, My cherry-picker was leaking when I was taking the 2.2 w/trans out of the truck. I was PO's at Murphy (law), I grabbed a bottle of power steering fluid and did a refill. Seemed to hold (thank God), as I lifted the everything completely onto a steel table. Scared the **** out of me when the chain slipped a litte.........

10-24-2004, 01:44 PM

I used auto trans fluid on my 8-ton hoist. Worked fine and is back to normal. I think that either AT Fluid or PS Fluid would work just fine.

klaucke · 10-24-2004, 04:11 PM

I've been using ATF for years.

cantdrv55 · 10-24-2004, 07:42 PM

Thanks guys. I bought hydraulic jack fluid at Pep-Boys tonight.

RickM · RickM's Garage

Chris,

Why did it leak? Could be a bad seal and therefore an unsafe tool.

john70t · 10-25-2004, 06:06 AM

A $100 jack gives a lot more peace of mind than a flattened ribcage or a bent suspension.

cantdrv55 · 10-25-2004, 04:26 PM

Good point. The seal around the fill plug is intact but the plug itself was loose. I've used it since refilling and it seems to work OK, no leaks. I don't crawl around under the car when it's only supported by a jack so I think it's OK. Thanks for the tip though.