Has anyone ever rebuilt the factory bottle jack? Mine exploded over the weekend.

 

Easier to just replace it I would think

 

I know there is a thread going back more than a few years where this was discussed along w/ the seals used. I opted for a Big Red bottle jack and for around 20 bucks called it done. If you like to use the factory location to store it (by the battery) I can see the need to restore it vs. buying a new one. I have used that space long ago so storing a Big Red in the rear cubby is what works for me.

 

Seals difficult to obtain. Underhood heat deteriorates them. Better off getting a screw jack off full size domestic truck.

 

Examples? What to look for at the boneyard?

 

I got a bottle jack from O'Reilly and store it in the driver side space behind the vent in the trunk. Not worth to rebuild a bottle jack unless it is a collector car and you want to keep everything original.

 

Am after a mechanical bottle jack as I dumped the original crap. Something like :

----> https://www.ebay.com/itm/19553737851...3ABFBMwLiXhtdi

----> https://www.ebay.com/itm/23491422013...Bk9SR4jpsIbXYg

From a boneyard, without the price abuse.

 

I rebuilt mine. pretty easy really. went to a hydraulic shop and matched internal o-rings. trickiest parts were 1) removing the saddle from the piston (just tap it off with a hammer and tap a bit on each side of the saddle) 2) unscrew the 'nut' holding the body to the base (found at where the ram enters the body 3)removing the base from the plastic body (just hold the jack in your hand and tap the base with a hammer moving around to all sides). Don't hit the body, it is plastic and will break.

After that you unscrew the largest ram from the base and the others will remain inside it.

A professional in the shop spent 15mins with me to find the correct o-rings. I bought multiples of each.

There was a thread in which I posted the sizes of the orings needed but I can't seem to find it. It may be on discoweb but I can't seem to find it there either.

 

Interesting stuff, Walt! I have two of these now, so this could be a nice pass-the-time activity.

 

It is harder to describe than it is to do. Someone should make a youtube video of it. I used to have an extra but I cracked the body.