HI- LIFT JACK PROBLEM

[Aussiebushman]

I searched the forums but can't find anything on this subject - apologies if I missed something.

My H-Lift jack is a wonderful tool and has got me out of a lot of trouble, but recently, the lever SLIPS from the "up" position to the "down" position without warning. It is obviously difficult to hold the lever in place while jacking and potentially bloody dangerous

I have examined the pins etc and can't find anything obviously wrong. Any suggestions and links to repair information most appreciated

Alan

 

[oosik]

Hmmmm - - from your pics, I can see nothing wrong. My Hi-Lift is probably a lot older than yours - wooden handle & not the fancy shift lever - purchased in '67. I would suggest going to the Hi-Lift web site and accessing the Instruction Manual. Scroll down to the parts page with the exploded view of the jack. There is part # 13 - reversing switch spring. I would suggest that yours is either all gummed up or bent/missing/broken. Start by spraying this entire area with something like WD40 and "work" the mechanism. This - very likely - will loosen & lube things and you will be back in business. Otherwise, you may have to replace either this spring or a bent part, such as, #14 - reversing switch cam bar. I've torn mine down several times to clean & lube and with the exploded parts picture its not difficult to reassemble.

 

[Budweiser John]

I purchased a tune up kit for my jack at Tractor Supply. Works like new now.

 

[chim]

The weight of that homebrew handlebar extension for the switch might not be helping.

 

[Gary Fowler]

If you raise the handle too high, it will automatically kick the lever into down position. I suspect that is what you are doing.

 

[Aussiebushman]

Thanks guys - good advice

Don't think I'm raising the handle too high but I'll watch out for that. Part # 13 - reversing switch spring could be the problem - I'll check it out and yes, I could have bent a bar by overloading

Thanks again

Alan

 

[bcp]

Your jack has less of a notch than I usually see.



Photo from jack rebuild page here:
Hi-Lift Jack Rebuild

Bruce

 

[Wesj62]

Hi Aussiebushman,

+2 on what oosik posted. I have found in the past that a good flush with WD40 works great.

Cheers

 

[Aussiebushman]

I've cleaned out any remaining crud with degreaser and used Rostof as a lubricant (better than WD40 by far), but I think Bruce has hit on the cause of the problem. This is a Chinese knockoff - not a Hi-Lift original and as usual, they never get it quite right. Looking at mine again, it is really not a notch at all - just a curved indentation so it is no wonder it slips.

My first thought is to take an angle grinder to it but on reflection, maybe adding some weld and reshaping the notch to make it deeper might be even better

Thanks again

Alan

 

[Aussiebushman]

Actually, the switch handle is not "homebrew" It came that way. Wonderful Chinese innovation!