Craftsman Floor Jack problem

[Touring5]

About 10 years ago I bought a 3.5 ton Craftsman "professional" floor jack (model 214.50145). I only used it a few times until two years ago when I attempted to use it to help get a post out of the ground. When I did so, it was out in the hot summer sun and the black finish made the thing get so hot I couldn't even touch it. I was able to drag it back to the garage when I noticed that it was leaking fluid, but just put it away.

This past summer I got it out and tried to use it and it couldn't lift anything, even me if I stood on the lift pad. It also dripped more fluid. So, fast forward to today when I was going to put it out for heavy trash pickup and I decided to try it out. The thing easily lifted the front end of my '87 Buick, didn't drift down or leak anything.

So here's my questions: There are three screws near the pump/rotate gears that have (mostly obscured) stickers that say do not adjust. I'm sure I turned those a bit last summer. Is the jack safe to use now? Secondly, I know it lost some fluid and I'm not sure where the fill plug is. The instruction booklet has a diagram, but it appears to be some rebranded chinese product and the diagram is very unclear.

Any opinions on where the fill plug is, and why is the thing working today when it didn't over the summer? (note that the garage/jack were at about 40 deg F today as opposed to typical summer ambient).

 

[Lead Shoes]

I wouldn't even bother messing with it IMO... Full warranty aka bring it back to sears for a shiny new one on the house.

 

[Touring5]

Originally Posted By: Brenden
I wouldn't even bother messing with it IMO... Full warranty aka bring it back to sears for a shiny new one on the house.


I wish that were true, but things have changed with Craftsman. This thing was made in China and has a whopping 1-year warranty (I bought it in 2004).

That's the reason I put "professional" in quotes.

 

[Lead Shoes]

Wow, didn't know they stopped warrantying the jacks that soon... I figured with "Craftsman Quality/lifetime warranty" it would be 5+ years for the "professional" model. That's b/s.... I bought the 70 dollar low pro 2.5ton floor jack from China-freight and it works well after 3 years of hard use.

I only use Craftsman ratchets now since they do replace those, but I just keep rounding the gears off and exchanging these Chinese built ones for more [censored].

 

[dlundblad]

Originally Posted By: Touring5
Originally Posted By: Brenden
I wouldn't even bother messing with it IMO... Full warranty aka bring it back to sears for a shiny new one on the house.


I wish that were true, but things have changed with Craftsman. This thing was made in China and has a whopping 1-year warranty (I bought it in 2004).

That's the reason I put "professional" in quotes.


2004.. i guess that nearly was 10 years ago.

If your 3.5 ton jack is any like ours, the fill plug should be on the bottom i believe? It was on the main housing of the cylinder. The fill plug was a bolt that took a flat headed screw driver if that helps narrow it down. Ill have to take another look at ours.

Ours acted up right after we bought it. It lost its lifting capability and lost some oil. I recall my dad tinkering with some bolts under it and adding more fluid. Since then its worked great.

 

[Eddie]

I think the Craftsman lifetime warranty refers to had wrenches, sockets etc and only a few specialty items. I'm sure jacks and electric drills etc were never included. If it lifts to the height it should, then don't add any oil. Never, in any case get under a lifted auto or whatever, while depending on a jack only. Ed

 

[Dufus2]

This jack may have air trapped in it making it weak and not holding any weight. Most of the jacks I have are fitted with a rubber plug on the cylinder. Use a pump can to add some light hydraulic fluid in it, P/S fluid is suitable if you don't want to buy ISO 22-32 jack oil. Work the pump to maximum height and stand on it until it goes down all the way, this helps purge the air out of the cylinder. Repeat several times with a few minutes in between to allow the air to rise.

I bought a Sears floor jack in 1986 and back then it had a 1 year warranty. Only Craftsman hand tools have the non-existing warranty today. You may end up with Evolve tools (consumer grade) as a replacement.

 

[NHGUY]

Best jacks I ever had were Allied brand blue ones with a side pedal for fast pad lift.I bought 2 over a decade ago,still have one working.Great jacks.I'm sure they arent made anymore.

 

[Touring5]

Originally Posted By: Dufus2
This jack may have air trapped in it making it weak and not holding any weight. Most of the jacks I have are fitted with a rubber plug on the cylinder. Use a pump can to add some light hydraulic fluid in it, P/S fluid is suitable if you don't want to buy ISO 22-32 jack oil. Work the pump to maximum height and stand on it until it goes down all the way, this helps purge the air out of the cylinder. Repeat several times with a few minutes in between to allow the air to rise.

I bought a Sears floor jack in 1986 and back then it had a 1 year warranty. Only Craftsman hand tools have the non-existing warranty today. You may end up with Evolve tools (consumer grade) as a replacement.


OK. I found the plug - it was on the top of the cylinder and painted black (I originally thought it was a rivet).

With your procedure, I assume to do this after adding the oil and replacing the plug?

Thanks.

 

[The_Jeff]

I think you're supposed to just (lightly) bend that plug sideways and pump with the valve in "lower" to burp some air.

Not sure. They must have instructions on line? Mine had a sticker saying I had to do it before 1st use.

 

[Donald]

I am still curious about the "do not adjust" screws you messed with.