How to bleed a bottle-type hydraulic jack with your own hands: video

Like any device that operates on hydraulics, the jack must be periodically checked and, if necessary, added oil and pumped the system. If air bubbles appear in the hydraulic jack, it loses its functionality, so it is necessary to carry out bleeding in a timely manner. Experts recommend pumping equipment at least 2 times annually. This frequency will prevent premature wear of the jack and allow it to last for decades. Since bleeding a hydraulic jack is quite easy, any motorist can perform this procedure.

Application of hydraulic jacks

hydraulic jack

Lifting devices are used for fixing, moving and lifting heavy loads: building slabs, machine tools, cars, columns. Their carrying capacity can be hundreds of tons. Depending on the purpose, the design and dimensions of the machine vary. High performance and ease of maintenance have made jacks indispensable in manufacturing, car service stations, the processing industry, power plants, warehouses and other production areas. Car enthusiasts also cannot do without their own compact lifts. And the ability to move loads vertically and horizontally is used everywhere on construction sites.

Some final tips

The performance of the jack depends on the quality of the lubricants that are poured into it. You should not skimp on oil, as this can lead to serious damage that will not be repairable in the future. If the device will be used in various conditions with temperature changes, it is better to fill the jack with a frost-resistant synthetic lubricant, which will preserve the functionality of the system.

In winter, it is better to refrain from using the device for a long time in the cold, since all gaskets and seals are very sensitive to low temperatures.

A hydraulic jack is a mechanism that allows you to lift an object to a certain height. Most often used in technical maintenance services.

Bleeding a hydraulic jack is required in the following cases: contamination and air ingress into the working area of the jack, the formation of corrosion in the mechanism and its damage, deformation of the hydraulic rod due to heavy loads. And also depending on the type of jack and frequency of use.

Hydraulic lift device

jack elements

The main components of the system are the housing, the movable piston and the liquid medium (machine oil). The body is made of durable metal in the shape of a cylinder. It serves as both a guide for the rod and a container for technical fluid. Additional elements that bring the device into operation:

lever arm;
valves;
plunger.

The use of valves makes it possible to increase the force applied to the lever tens of times. The plunger is necessary to move the piston by transporting the working fluid into the container below it. The valve prevents liquid from flowing back into the common container. Gradually, the plunger pumps more and more liquid under the piston, raising it. And in order for the load to drop, you only need to allow the oil to return to the common container by slightly opening the valve.

Reasons why the jack's performance decreases

Before bleeding hydraulic equipment, it is necessary to establish the reasons why its functionality has deteriorated. Common factors that disrupt the normal functioning of the mechanism are contamination, as well as the entry of air masses into the cavity of the lift.

Frequent reasons why you need to bleed the lifting device:

high load, which provokes bending of the hydraulic rod;
formation of air bubbles;
internal corrosion of the mechanism;
low-quality oil, which is filled into the jack, which causes its rapid deterioration.

To eliminate defects, you must adhere to a number of certain rules. All fasteners are carefully unscrewed, after which the valve is removed, which is responsible for allowing the working fluid to bleed. As for the primary piston, it must be removed and carefully inspected for possible damage. The balls on the valves and gaskets should also be inspected, and if their appearance is unsatisfactory, the components should be replaced.

To remove dirt and other foreign elements, the parts also need to be washed. After the mechanism is assembled, high-quality oil is poured into it and pumping begins.

Pros and cons of hydraulic jacks

Advantages:

high power;
ease of operation and maintenance;
high level of efficiency - about 80%;
ability to move cargo weighing up to 200 tons.

Flaws:

are not able to lift loads from low heights;
the level of lowering the load cannot be determined;
requires constant monitoring and maintenance: adding oil, replacing gaskets and seals;
they can only be transported and stored in a vertical position, otherwise the working fluid will leak out;
they work quite slowly, cyclically, lifting the load to a small height each time;
quite expensive;
they break down more often and repairs are more expensive than their mechanical counterparts.

Basic misuse errors that lead to breakdowns and how to avoid them

A hydraulic jack is a useful thing, but, unfortunately, it does not last forever. If the lift is not functioning properly, you have to wonder what caused it to fail and why the hydraulic jack is not lifting 5 tons under load. The most common reason for this phenomenon is oil leakage. To avoid such a problem, it is necessary to constantly add and monitor the volume of liquid in the cylinder. A decrease in the volume of working fluid is caused by a damaged seal, oil seals, as well as its natural loss.

Hydraulic jack oil seals

Another common cause of hydraulic equipment failure is corrosion. If it appears on the inside of the housing or on the retractable piston, breakdowns will be frequent and serious. A bent stem is also a serious problem. This can be explained by the fact that, with certain design features of the equipment, parts that have become unusable can be replaced. But often a hydraulic or bottle jack with a faulty rod is problematic to repair even in a special workshop.

Regardless of what led to the breakdown of the lifting structure, it is better for an inexperienced motorist to entrust its bleeding and repair to a specialist. After all, even though the services of a professional will cost a little more than repairing it yourself, in a specialized center you can get a guarantee that the repaired structure will function optimally and efficiently. This will also help avoid even greater damage that will no longer be possible to fix.

Types of hydraulic jacks

Several types of devices have been created that are convenient for use in various fields:

bottled;
hybrid;
rolling;
diamond;
hooked.

The bottle jack is the most common and simplest design. It is capable of lifting from two to hundreds of tons, has a large support area and a compact body. Therefore, such mechanisms are usually used when repairing various types of vehicles, especially trucks. Bottle jacks can have a double-rod or single-rod design. Single-rod, simpler devices, are used in the maintenance of railway cars, in construction, mechanical engineering, and in the production of pipe cutters and pipe benders. Double rod models work vertically and horizontally.

The design of a rolling jack resembles a trolley, which during operation moves under the lifted load. Operated by a hand lever and regulated by an oil valve. To open the valve, you must turn the valve screw handle. Very convenient for one-sided lifting of loads. Therefore, it is good when changing a wheel. But it works exclusively on hard and flat surfaces. There is a transmission type that has a rotating frame in its design.

Hybrid jacks are also called two-level jacks and are used in car repair shops. Their convenience is the presence of a couple of platforms for cargo. In fact, it is a combination of bottle and roll-on models. The machine is controlled by a foot pedal and lever.

The diamond jack is also used in car repair shops. The bearings, connected by hinges, form a rhombus. Hence the name of the mechanism. A very compact device, easy to transport and store.

A hook jack is good where it is necessary to lift a load from a small height: moving machine tools, railway rails. The design is based on a bottle design.

Recommendations for use

After finishing use, the jack must be freed from loads. The device should be stored in a warm and dry place. Due to excess moisture, the mechanism may rust, and cold will negatively affect the quality of the oil. It is recommended not to work with a jack in severe frost.

Loads on the device should not exceed those for which it is designed.

With constant use, pumping (oil change) should be carried out every 2-3 months. For rare use - once every six months.

Thus, in the event of a hydraulic jack failure, it is necessary to check 3 components:

Quality and quantity of liquid.
Presence of air bubbles in the system.
Contamination, loose valve fit.

In most situations, to solve all problems with the device, it is enough to clean it and change the oil.

Good day everyone!

During the previous replacement of the pads, my favorite, dearly cherished jack broke, which had been chosen for a long time to replace the diamond in the previous car and reinforced after the gears were shifted in the upper part. The old one was also strengthened in the lower part.

It is reinforced with the same half-inch barrels, at the ends of which a centimeter groove was cut for easier installation inside the jack foot. The studs were removed and their place was taken by powerful Soviet bolts with washers and grommets (not to be confused with Chinese crap from hardware stores)). Now there is nothing to break in the jack, the metal is thick and durable, it will help you out on the road.

Since diamond jacks are still tools for emergency use only, a 3-ton rolling jack was purchased.

Do-it-yourself repair and bleeding of the jack

diamond jack

There are several factors that lead to malfunction of the hydraulic lift:

lack of oil;
air penetration;
accumulation of dirt and rust;
rod deformation.

During use of the device, oil gradually leaks out, so it should be added from time to time. This is done using a repair kit. Before starting work, you should prepare a bucket for draining used and fresh technical oil.

Progress:

use wrenches to remove the fastening;
you get the drain valve and piston;
pistons are cleaned of dirt, rust and checked for chips and deformation;
The bleed valve is thoroughly cleaned inside and out. If chips or bends are found on the valve, it is useless to put it back; it must be replaced. When inspecting the valve, it is important not to lose the metal ball. Its loose fit to the saddle disrupts the operation of the jack;
Now the used oil is drained by pumping: the lever must be moved up and down until the oil passes into the main cylinder. Bleeding the jack is usually not difficult, although it does require patience;
after draining the oil, all other parts are cleaned;
Gaskets and cuffs are replaced, since their defects are often impossible to notice, but under pressure they make themselves felt.

The best way to clean the jack from dirt is to wash it with kerosene. After bleeding the oil, kerosene is poured into the working container and the jack is pumped. The locking needle is first removed. After which the kerosene is released and the device is filled with new working fluid.

Air penetration

Air in hydraulics always leads to disastrous consequences. This is because air pockets can change their volume when compressed. Many manufacturers create a sealed design, with the exception of a few valves.

Air enters the cylinder due to mechanical damage or improper operation of the valves. Problems also arise if the oil is not filled correctly.

Bleeding the jack

How to change a hinge at home

Now let’s talk about how to properly install silent blocks. Since the lever includes a rubber component, it is simply impossible to hammer the hinge (the rubber will dampen). At the service station, to carry out this kind of operation, a hydraulic press for silent blocks or a set for pressing out silent blocks is used. With their help, replacement is not difficult.

Press for pressing silent blocks

To carry out work in a garage, it is not necessary to purchase a special tool; the available tools will suffice:

Bench vice;
Percussion instrument (hammer);
Metal attachment;
Screwdrivers;
File;
Soap solution;

Read also: Templates for a wood router with your own hands

Using a regular vice and a piece of pipe of the required diameter, we get a pretty good press for pressing silent blocks in with our own hands.

Tool for replacing joints in your car yourself

But before you press the silent block into the lever, you still need to remove the worn element. And for this you can use several methods, but in any case the lever will have to be removed from the car. And then you can:

Holding the lever in a vice and using a hammer with an adapter, knock out the hinge, first cutting off the rubber protruding beyond the edges of the lever eye (so that it does not create resistance);
Use a vice. We take a piece of pipe (it should be larger in diameter than the silent block and its walls should rest against the eye). We put this segment on the hinge on one side, and on the other we use an attachment. We place this structure in a vice. When tightening the jaws of the vice, the attachment will push the element inside the pipe section;
Fire out the silent block. Using an open fire (burner), we burn out the rubber component, and then knock out the remains with a hammer (this method is not recommended);
Use a silent block remover (purchased or homemade);

Before pressing the silent blocks, its seat should be cleaned with a file to remove rust and remnants of the old hinge.

Now let’s talk about how to properly press silent blocks using a vice. Before starting work, it is advisable to make a chamfer on one side of the rubber component (cut it off with a knife), which will allow you to more accurately match the hinge with the eye.

You should also generously lubricate the seat and hinge with soap solution. It is not recommended to use lubricants based on petroleum products for this, as they have a negative effect on rubber.

The correct installation of silent blocks is done like this: we match the hinge with the eye, and holding them like that, we place them between the jaws of the vice. Then we carefully tighten it, periodically inspecting it from all sides to make sure that the hinge runs smoothly and without distortion.

After the silent block passes through the eye and rests against the bushing, remove the lever from the vice. You can finally seat the hinge with a hammer. In this case, you should make sure that the silent block is located exactly in the middle and does not protrude to any side. If necessary, we adjust its position with the same hammer.

In this simple way, without special equipment, you can change silent blocks in a garage without spending money on service stations.

By assembling a press for silent blocks with your own hands, you will save yourself from the need to visit a service station, wait in line and pay a lot of money for the services of auto mechanics. Carrying out some repair work on your own car is often limited by the banal lack of necessary equipment. It is not necessary to buy a hydraulic press. You can assemble the structure with your own hands.

Instructions

Initially, it is worth deciding what exactly is meant by “pumping” in relation to modern lifting mechanisms. We are talking about a set of actions aimed at displacing air from hydraulic cylinders. In this case, the whole process comes down to pumping the working fluid with a pump. This was precisely the determining factor in the appearance of the name of the procedure, which is one of the most important points in the maintenance of lifting devices.

Those who have at their disposal an old hydraulic jack or a relatively new model of modern lifting equipment with obvious signs of airiness need to know how to quickly deal with such a problem. Nowadays you can find a large amount of relevant information on the Internet. First of all, it should be noted that to effectively restore the functionality of the device, you will need a standard arsenal of tools, as well as about 300 ml of ordinary mineral oil or special fluid for hydraulic systems.

To effectively bleed a bottle-type hydraulic jack, you will need to perform the following steps.

First of all, you have to find the filler hole, which is sealed as tightly as possible with a rubber stopper. In the vast majority of cases, it is located at the top of the device. Taking into account the design features of different models, the plug can be recessed into the body or protruding above it.
Open the oil fill hole, carefully removing the plug to avoid damaging it.
Completely drain all working fluid. It is worth considering that this measure is relevant in cases where it is necessary to service an old hydraulic jack that has been actively used for a long time without maintenance. To completely remove any remaining oil, unscrew the bypass valve and lower the piston all the way.
Rinse the cylinders using special liquids, as well as kerosene or oil, which will be filled afterwards. To do this, you need to pour the flushing agent through the previously mentioned hole, pump the piston to the top point, and then open the valve and lower the rod all the way. This procedure must be repeated several times.
Fill the hydraulic cylinder with oil by placing the bottle hydraulic jack in its working, that is, vertical position. Experienced users and specialists advise using a syringe.
After the container is filled to the maximum level, screw the bypass valve all the way. At the next stage, use up/down movements to raise the piston of the device until it stops.
Then you need to unscrew the valve a little and manually lower the piston with the filler hole open. This sequence of actions is repeated several times.
If the described algorithm does not lead to the desired results, and air remains in the system, then you can unscrew the shut-off valve several turns, lift the piston manually and sharply lower it. In this case, the use of a pump is excluded. Such manipulations are repeated several times, and with each approach the length to which the rod extends is reduced by 1 cm. As a rule, such radical measures allow you to quickly get rid of air in the hydraulic system.

Hydraulic lifts of the rolling type are characterized, first of all, by increased load capacity. In this case, the main performance indicator directly depends on the tightness of the system and the pressure created in the working chambers. To maintain full functionality of rolling models, they need to be periodically pumped.

The source of problems with this category of hydraulic jacks can be contamination and air ingress. There are several ways to correct the situation. The first option for pumping rolling equipment involves the following steps:

open the oil filler plug;
unscrew the bypass valve;
Bleed the working cylinder with quick movements;
Screw the valve all the way and close the filler hole tightly.

Unfortunately, in some situations, the manipulations described above cannot completely squeeze out the air from the hydraulic system. At the same time, many are interested in how to identify its remains in the jack cylinders.

In such cases, you will need to find a locking needle, which is an integral part of the design of any modern rolling hydraulic jack. It is turned out 2-3 turns, after which, in manual mode, the piston should be extended several times until it stops and returned to its original position. As a result of such manipulations, as in the situation with bottle models of equipment, the air will be completely squeezed out of the system.

Disassembly

Taking into account the simplicity of the design, in the vast majority of cases, if you have the knowledge, skills and tools, it is quite possible to repair a faulty hydraulic jack with your own hands. Difficulties arise most often when it is necessary to overhaul and repair non-demountable structures. However, now you can easily find a sufficient amount of materials on the Internet.

They are devoted to the work described, as well as the materials used in their implementation, including repair kits. To disassemble almost any hydraulic jack, you will need:

hammer and chisel;

This list in each specific case will depend on the jack model and its design features. This means that in some situations it is very easy to get to the “insides” of the lifting mechanism. However, disassembling the device will often require some time and effort. The process of disassembling a hydraulic jack can be considered using the example of a classic bottle-type model.

In a simplified form, the sequence of actions will look like this:

First of all, you will need to completely drain the working fluid (oil). To do this, use a special drain hole or a bypass valve. You will need to unscrew the upper nut (hexagonal), as well as the lower valve. The next step is to remove the housing. At this stage, an inspection is carried out to detect faults and damage. We are talking about the tightness of the housing and the condition of the lower o-ring

It is important to remember that these structural elements are not subject to loads and perform the functions of a reservoir. Then you will need to unscrew the working cylinder itself and remove the piston.

After all of the above manipulations are completed, unscrew the plunger.

Rules of care

If a 2-ton rolling jack does not lift, repairs can be carried out at home. But to prevent this from happening, timely prevention must be carried out. Of course, no one says that the device will last indefinitely, but you can extend its service life several times.

Provide good storage conditions for the jack. Monitor the quantity and quality of the working fluid. Clean the device from dirt in a timely manner. Do not forget that it is not recommended to overload the device.

Refueling mechanisms

Next, we’ll look at how to properly fill the recommended oil into a jack. Sometimes, if transported incorrectly, hydraulic fluid can spill out and the voids can be filled with air. This will cause the jack to fail. In this case, an oil change is necessary.

The rack and pinion mechanism is quite large; it is used not only for lifting the body, but also for repairing old buildings. Before changing the lubricant, the mechanism must be completely lowered. To verify this, you can relieve residual stress by turning the exhaust valve counterclockwise.

The neck into which the filling is made is usually located on the tank body, usually in the lower part of the cylinder. It is necessary to free the neck from the bolt or plug that reliably protects the oil in the container. Then you will need an oil can, the nozzle of which must be inserted into the neck and filled.