Difficult 3/4" jack ram guide

Time to replace the ram 'O' ring as it's become incontinent.

The ram guide wont budge using normal ratchet and 3/4" socket.

The flats are only 1/8" thick so am very reluctant to go at it like a bull in a china shop.

Have applied both freeze spray and penetrant but need advise please on best way to I loosen it.

Rattle gun I have but reluctant to use too soon.

Geoff - Nearly back to normal at last.

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 28/09/2018 20:50:55

I wouldn't bugger about - a chisel would fit in there very nicely. If that doesn't get it moving, nothing will. You can tidy up the damage afterwards and reuse it but surely won't need to do it again for many a year / ever. Looks as if you've had your money's worth out of it already!

Murray

As a last resort if other measures fail, you could weld a rod to the nut in a couple places, having cross drilled the rod for a tommy bar first, or having welded a second cross rod handle onto the first rod, above the linkage. The rod should be a close fit to the nut hole. If welding, do it well outdoors and with an extinguisher nearby - the oil in the area may flare up under weld heat.

This method would likely permit re-use of the hex fitting by grinding off the welds and poking out the remaining bit of rod in the hole.

If you used the welding approach first, you could spare the hex fitting the indignity of severe rattle wrench rash or chisel torture. The welding heat often helps free stuck threads as well.

The weld method is often a lot faster than rattle wrenches or chiseling on stuck old fastenings.

If you still have no luck even after trying the weld method it may be wise to look at a new oil tight jack - they are not terribly expensive.

Thanks for the quick suggestions, something I treasure about this forum

Indeed Murray, can't complain as I've been using it since the mid 60s, and it did stirling work when preparing and racing my 105E and now working on the '35 Seven.

Jeff, will see what metal I can use, maybe a bit of hex, if the chisel fails.

Will apply heat in the morning, but no naked flame, just a powerful heat gun and see if that loosens things up.

Geoff - Feels good to be active again at last.

There I was lying in bed and I thought "left hand thread!"

Just thought I'd mention it

IMO you're probbly better off buying a new jack though, metal fatigue after 60 years?

Edited By Ady1 on 27/09/2018 23:24:38

Somehow, I doubt it will have metal fatigue unless really stressed over that 60 years. Far better, if it is repairable, to fit new seals. Not many (if any) of the cheap jacks available now would last 60 years.

With no risk of any turning forces, I doubt it would be a different thread than normal.

It is likely far more stable than many current jacks on the market. Only downside might be its extra weight, as we get older, to lug around.

Lidl have trolley jacks for £20:

https://www.lidl.co.uk/en/MiddleofLidl.htm?articleId=16451

It’s not going to last 40 years but neither are we.

Why waste your time

Why waste resources?

If it is broke, fix it.

Only if you can’t fix it, buy another.

There are too many ‘throw-away’ items made these days.

There are too many out there that cannot fix a fuse, let alone a simple hydraulic seal.

The lidl version is only guaranteed for three years. Lifting vertically is one thing, resisting side forces is another.

Hi Geoff, it is quite possible that is has been put in with a sealing compound similar to Loctite. Some of these compounds require heating to break the bond.

Regards Nick.

Another thank you for responses.

Well, it came loose after applying heat then having a go using a chisel, but without it budging.

Placed a lump of steel on top of it and gave it a wallop with the persuader, then another go with socket and using the persuader once again and bingo it came loose.

The 'O' ring is 5/8" Ø that I do not have, mine being metric, so ordered one.

I did try various metric ones but they did not seal of course.

Geoff - I thought I had used portrait mode!

Edited By Neil Wyatt on 28/09/2018 20:50:32

Good result! well done. Glad you were able to get the bugger out.

Update.

Had to use two 'O' rings to stop the leakage, as one didn't.

The guide screwed right down squishing the rings against the ram.

Will only find out once I use the jack in anger and real pressure applied.

Geoff - Have asked for suggestions in making a vacuum wheel.