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08-04-2007, 04:49 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2002 25' Classic
Oro Valley
, Arizona
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 835
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Should I trash my Sears floor jack?
I have a Sears 4-ton floor jack that will not lift; the jack leaks/squirts oil because of a blown seal, I suspect. The jack is out-of-warranty. I actually only used it about 4 times. It cost me $99 on sale; was supposedly $129 regular price.
Not knowing where to obtain parts or how to fix it or where to have it fixed, shall I trash it? I have my trusty old bottle jack that I used before and now am using again to raise individual wheels of my tv and Jeep to clean the insides of the rims.
What really discourage me was on the Sears.com website I was "shopping" and happened to see the jack. The reviews were actually rants--6 people at least have found the jack to be junk.
__________________
Kistler & Brenda
2002 Classic 25'
2003 Expedition EB 5.4L, AWD, AdvanceTrac Class IV hitch pkg. Reese dual cam/Prodigy
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08-04-2007, 05:07 PM
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#2
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3 Rivet Member
2005 16' International CCD
Ogden
, Utah
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 221
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Here are a couple of other things to consider, besides trashing the jack:
1) Go to the local auto parts store and buy a bottle of hydraulic jack oil. When you want to use the jack, add some oil. Better buy some rags to wipe up the oil that leaks out, too. I have used jacks like this, sometimes for years - but you have to be careful. I always put jack stands under a car or trailer, after it's jacked up. This is a must-do step if you use a jack that leaks, because it will let the load down - the worse the leak, the faster the jack lets down.
2) This is probably the preferred solution - check the yellow pages for a small repair shop that works on hydraulic jacks. The problem you describe is almost always a leaking seal, and urusally not a big deal to fix for a place that knows jacks and has a supply of seals on hand. My experience is the cylinders seem to last a lot better after they've been repaired, than they do when they are new.
3) The last resort - take it to a flea market or garage sale, and get $20 (or whatever) for it - somebody will want a little-used jack like that. It will be good again after the repair.
But use extreme caution if you must use it while its still leaking.
Good Luck!
Bob
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08-04-2007, 05:08 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2005 28' Safari S/O
Paradise
, California
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,446
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Sounds like there are now 7 people that found the jack to be junk. I don't know what's involved with replacing the seal on one of those or if it would even be worth it. If it were me I would chalk it up to lesson learned and buy a new one. I have used Craftsman products for years and have had some problems, but most have been able to be resolved. I am wary of Sears (now K-Mart) products now as they are less likely to stand by their product. Even lifetime warranted defective Craftsman tools now need a receipt to be returned.
__________________
Steve
"THE OLDER I GET, THE BETTER I WAS"
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08-04-2007, 05:08 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1972 27' Overlander
Longmont
, Colorado
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 951
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blown seal
this reminds me of a joke: a guy in far northern Canada, above the arctic circle, comes across another guy working on his snowmobile, a smear of oil in the snow under it. He stops, and asks: "whadja do, blow a seal?" To which the other guy wipes his face and replies "Nah, that's just frost on my moustache!" I know, I don't get it either. Your jack sounds jacked, though.
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08-04-2007, 05:46 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1967 22' Safari
MILAN
, Illinois
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,013
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Seal replacement
If you are handy at all with tools (which I'm sure you are owning a A/S) you could take the jack apart and remove the bad seal. Afterall the jack is already out of warranty so you have nothing to lose. There are plenty of bearing/seal companies out there that will sell you a new seal if you have the old one that they can match up with a replacement. Make sure before you remove the leaking seal that you know how it seats into the hydralic cylinder. and how it fit onto the piston. Carefully re-install the new seal and (TahDah) no more leaks. You know you can do this so get the Yellow Pages out and find a local bearing and seal dealer like Timken Bearing etc. NEVER use a leaking hydralic jack to lift anything! You are just courting disaster and possible personal injury or DEATH!!! Hope this helps you out. Happy Trails, Ed
__________________
1967 Safari Twin "Landshark" w/International trim package
2014 GMC Sierra 1500 Double Cab SLE
FORUMS MEMBER SINCE 12/16/2004AIR#7110
"My tire was thumping, I thought it was flat. When I looked at the tire, I noticed your CAT!" Burma Shave
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08-04-2007, 06:01 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2011 34' Classic
Westchester Cty.NY
, / Miami FL
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 3,122
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it could mean death or worse, damage to you trailer
it is easy to get them rebuilt by a rebuilder. there might be a burr where the seal rides that needs some attention. also, make sure you use jack oil.
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08-04-2007, 06:48 PM
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#7
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
.
, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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If it's Craftsman, it's a lifetime warranty. Have you brought it to the local Sears store?
I would NOT use a jack that is leaking. It's just begging for something to happen.
I have the same jack and totally love it. Have had it for 5+ years. I could lift my car or my truck totally off the ground with it if I could only balance it!
Bring it to Sears and see what they say, if they say no way, then either get a new one or try to find a repair place.
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08-04-2007, 07:15 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2005 25' International CCD
1954 22' Flying Cloud
1957 22' Flying Cloud
Simi Valley
, California
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,251
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Sears...
Sears will take back or replace darn near anything. it's all in how you approach them, even if you bought it online. no problem.
kevin
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08-04-2007, 07:20 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2005 28' Safari S/O
Paradise
, California
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,446
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Silvertwinkie
If it's Craftsman, it's a lifetime warranty. Have you brought it to the local Sears store?
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Sorry Twink, but the lifetime warranty only applies to Craftsman hand tools, like wrenches and screwdrivers, and even that has come under fire since Sears and Kmart merged.
__________________
Steve
"THE OLDER I GET, THE BETTER I WAS"
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08-04-2007, 07:25 PM
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#10
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Aluminut
2004 25' Safari
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, Illinois
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,477
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Quote:
Originally Posted by slowolf
Sorry Twink, but the lifetime warranty only applies to Craftsman hand tools, like wrenches and screwdrivers, and even that has come under fire since Sears and Kmart merged.
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You may be right....just since the merger, because I use to bring everything but the kitchen sink to them and they gladly exchanged them, no or few questions asked. I would at least ask them before I junked it. Kevin might be right, it's all in how you approach it. The squeeky wheel gets the most oil. Worth a shot IMHO before garbage pickup.
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08-04-2007, 07:30 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2005 25' International CCD
1954 22' Flying Cloud
1957 22' Flying Cloud
Simi Valley
, California
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,251
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Quote:
Originally Posted by slowolf
Sorry Twink, but the lifetime warranty only applies to Craftsman hand tools, like wrenches and screwdrivers, and even that has come under fire since Sears and Kmart merged.
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bring it to simi valley.
i'll exchange it.
kevin
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08-04-2007, 08:55 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2005 28' Safari S/O
Paradise
, California
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,446
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevbo10
bring it to simi valley.
i'll exchange it.
kevin
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Kev,
Thanks! You da man!
__________________
Steve
"THE OLDER I GET, THE BETTER I WAS"
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08-04-2007, 10:11 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1951 21' Flying Cloud
1960 24' Tradewind
West Coast
, BC
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,790
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Leaky floor jacks are dangerous! I know of at least one death and of other serious injuries. If Sears won't repair/replace it, and you can get it repaired elsewhere for a reasonable to you fee, do so. Floor jacks are far more practical in most situations than a bottle jack. Of course you always use jack stands as well ( ) so we won't even mention them, as no one would just trust a jack no matter what.
I do not buy cheap jacks from the cheap tool sales guys. There's too much risk of damage to vehicle or body to quibble over a couple of bucks - usually less than an hour or two worth of wages at most.
Replacing seals is no big deal so if nothing else Sears should sell a rebuild kit for you to use. As noted, check for the reasons the old one went away. And always store your hydraulic jacks with the seal tight, not loosened off.
Let us know how you make out.
Barry
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08-04-2007, 10:33 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2005 25' International CCD
1954 22' Flying Cloud
1957 22' Flying Cloud
Simi Valley
, California
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,251
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drive to sears.
exchange floor jack.
drive home.
camera pans out.
hi!, i'm home!
wild cheers....
cut to commerical...
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08-04-2007, 10:36 PM
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#15
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,616
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This plan is better:
Drive to Phoenix
Drop it off at my house
I'll dispose of it for you
No charge
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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08-04-2007, 10:39 PM
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#16
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Rivet Master
2005 25' International CCD
1954 22' Flying Cloud
1957 22' Flying Cloud
Simi Valley
, California
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,251
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True Blu... FFA Buddy...
Quote:
Originally Posted by azflycaster
This plan is better:
Drive to Phoenix
Drop it off at my house
I'll dispose of it for you
No charge
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\
richard,
your tru blue
and
green
all at the same time...
i might just buy a sears floor jack so i can show up at your door step to drop it off.
kevin
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08-04-2007, 10:59 PM
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#17
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,616
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Kevbo10
i might just buy a sears floor jack so i can show up at your door step to drop it off.
kevin
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That would be great. Jan does not like the setup I have now, she does not think it is safe ....
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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08-04-2007, 10:59 PM
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#18
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Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,159
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All's well that ends well. I really like the joke about the guy under the snowmobile. I guess that shows my mind is in the gutter.
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
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08-04-2007, 11:02 PM
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#19
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Rivet Master
2005 25' International CCD
1954 22' Flying Cloud
1957 22' Flying Cloud
Simi Valley
, California
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,251
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Hillbilly Jack System...
Quote:
Originally Posted by azflycaster
That would be great. Jan does not like the setup I have now, she does not think it is safe ....
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mr caster,
as the lead inspecter for OSHA here in the southern part of the other part, the Hillbilly Jack System is time honored and considered to be quite safe from an OSHA point of view.
flat man
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08-04-2007, 11:05 PM
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#20
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Site Team
2002 25' Safari
Dewey
, Arizona
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 15,616
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Quote:
Originally Posted by moosetags
All's well that ends well. I really like the joke about the guy under the snowmobile. I guess that shows my mind is in the gutter.
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Now I get it! It took a while, but when you mentioned mind in the gutter, the light turned on.
Thanks!
__________________
Richard
Wally Byam Airstream Club 7513
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