Can we fix it? 2-Ton Sears Hydraulic Floor Jack

The jack has stopped holding a load. We will rebuild it - we have the technology.
The seal kit used is available from Amazon: 328.12160 Sears Craftsman Floor Jack Seals, 2 Ton, Seal Replacement Kit - amzn.to/2PaUX3C

[@carltonbrooks2570]

Used this video to help rebuild the exact same jack. The jack originally was my grandfather's, then my dad's and now mine. I rebuilt to give to my son. 4 generations of my family will have used the jack and it holds so many memories. I used it to change oil in my first car at 16. When i touch the handle memories instantly flood back of family members long gone. Thanks for excellent video.

[@fredir3596]

I have the same Jack with the same issues. I bought the seal kit a while back but had no idea how to do the repair. Thanks for this video, straightforward and easy to follow.

[@samsteiner1147]

Great vid MPA. Lacking a heavy duty enough vise to break the cap loose, I improvised by reassembling the power unit body backwards with the big hex sticking out. Threaded the handle thru the base and the extended elevator part, with the handle end that was sticking out under my workbench. Then a 4' cheater on the pipe wrench and it couldn't say no.

[@schutzhund3933]

Same jack just went out. Original seals. I feel better seeing you fix yours. Amazon here I come!!

[@julienrobins4121]

Update ! So today I went ahead and replaced the seals which I bought on Amazon for 49.00. It was easier than expected and took approx two hours or so as I took the time to clean and degrease 40 plus years of dirt and sludge. I had previously replaced the wheels as the others had flat spotted over time. I also used a syringe to add 8oz of fresh jack oil.. Just finished testing it and it works perfect. No doubt this jack will outlast me. Thank you again for the video !!

[@mikeputteringaround]

Glad it helped. Thanks for watching!

[@FinderMI]

Can you tell me where you purchased wheels from? Mine are toast.

[@1925sk]

For that kind of money you could spend a few bucks more , and get a new aluminum, lightweight jack at HF tools.

[@roycepatton1244]

Thank you sir! I have the same jack, but mine is a 3 ton. I also bought it at around the same time, maybe the mid 80's. It's worked trouble free for 35 years, but of course, nothing lasts forever and now I have to replace the seals. Your video is perfectly to the point and easy to follow. I'm going to Amazon right after writing this comment.

[@rickweyersberg9595]

I also had a old Sears 2 ton jack that wouldn't lift anymore. Watched this video and ordered the seal kit, just rebuilt my 2 ton jack today! Very straight forward video on rebuild !

[@mikesutton2883]

Great video! Just finished. And jack holds perfectly. Thank you. Your effort is still helping people.

[@StorminNorminO]

That cap at 2:33 which has to be removed is a MASSIVE PAIN!!!!! I tried everything to get it loose and couldn’t. I had to take it to a shop for them to get it loose and even they had trouble. After that, it was an easy repair and this video helped. My seal was basically disintegrated so I replaced it and all o-rings I came across. Now works just like new. Thanks for the video.

[@flyersrule8918]

Looking for help. We have this jack & the handle is “frozen” we can’t turn it at all. Would the internal seals effect this? Could it be rusted or something? Sorry, my brother left my dead fathers jack outside and now it’s not working. Id like to give it to my son but I have no idea what I’m doing. Thanks

[@StorminNorminO]

@@flyersrule8918 If the handle won’t turn to open or close the valve, then I would recommend taking the valve area apart to clean everything and check seals. This will be WAY easier than having to repair the seals in the piston on a Jack that won’t Jack up or hold the vehicle up. Should be a pretty easy fix for you. You will be able to remove the star dial of the handle that should turn the valve and then also remove the star dial in the Jack that opens or closes the valve and see if anything looks like it needs to be replaced, or possible just removing it and putting it back will fix it. Good luck!

[@RS-me3so]

GREAT video! Very through explanation of the process. I just bought this jack for $20. & now with the rebuild kit I've got a SOLID proven performer.

[@jimball816]

mike, that was an excellent vid as i have a craftsman floor jack. concise w/ good narrative. thanks

[@28tpi]

Great video. I have the same exact jack that I've had for 40yrs and need to do the seals in it. I really like that floor jack. You can't find quality like this one now a days. Thanks!

[@mikeputteringaround]

Thanks 👍

[@davidfrank2824]

I forgot to mention I love your turkey baser idea. I used to have a large needle the kind that they would use in comedies because of how big it is. That thing was unbelievable I cried like a baby when it finally gave up. They're not intended to be used over and over. The doctor who gave it to me is retired and my new doctor won't give me one. I am definitely trying your trick tomorrow. My one Jack that I wrote about before there would work for a while if I put oil in it. It was just too messy to deal with after my needle broke. And I actually have two turkey basers in the garage that I picked up to use a little differently when working on carburetors.

[@tomtinhan9707]

You might try a marinade injector syringe/needle kit. You can find them at the grocery store or hardware store where they sell bbq/grilling supplies (or on Amazon).

[@schutzhund3933]

My same jack went out today! Thanks for the video.

[@mikeputteringaround]

Glad you found it helpful.

[@waltschannel7465]

Very thorough and detailed instructions including where you found the kit. I have this exact same Jack and although there's nothing wrong with it at this point, I'm going to order the kit just to have on hand because who knows how long it's going to be available.

[@anthonycrognale3967]

Have the same Jack think I'm going to order the kit and rebuild it. Great video 👍

[@rylos737]

I've had the exact jack for 40 years and it finally gave up the ghost! I feel so much better about fixing mine. Thanks for the video!

[@mikeputteringaround]

Glad to help!

[@shggydg9100]

I have the same jack also...bought it back in the early 80s (can't be exactly sure any longer though!). Same issues and looking forward to the fix also!

[@rylos737]

@@shggydg9100 it worked like a charm!

[@jimmypadgett1460]

Great video! I was able to rebuild my 30 year old jack with this video. Thanks

[@davidfrank2824]

One question I have is why are these seals so expensive? All it is is rubber put into a circle. I have a repair kit that for the most part I can make a lot of different size of rings and the entire kit on eBay did not even cause $30. I do like your video you really get into what it takes to fix it. I do know that today Jack's like this have gone up. I still have my first large shop Jack. About 8 years ago it developed a leak and I went to find new seals for it and could not get over the cost of them. Today they're even more. I definitely gave you my thumbs up and I hit the subscribe button. I figure that's the least I can do when someone's giving good information out.

[@1967250s]

Exact video I needed, same exact Jack. Thanks!

[@fitzmeister5992]

Excellent video. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@artsnow8872]

The lip-seal (with the metal band surround) at the top of the pump plunger hole may not come out with a screwdriver. I used a thin, sharpened corner of a putty knife and a small hammer to push the lip-seal metal away from the hole. Worked very nicely.

[@captaincrunch1707]

Nice. I’ve been offered one of these for few that’s in excellent condition except it’s broke. The fella bought it new and said it never worked correctly. He was gonna take it in for scrap but I said I’d look into a repair kit and maybe take the Jack from him.

[@carmelpule6954]

Well done for a good video. At 5:06 I am glad that you stated that the top cap, " we shall snug it down as much as we can." and no more than that. I had occasions where those repairing such jacks overtighten the upper cap at the expense of lifting the power cylinder off its bottom copper seal. This week I had a colleague who called me to help him with his floor jack as he had taken it for repair but it was not done successfully. There were "four steel ball-bearing valves" in this particular unit to take care of and investigate.. * One steel ball for the return path for lowering. * One steel ball loaded with a spring for the overpressure control. * Two steal balls working together to bring about the pumping action from the reservoir to the pressure cylinder. I easily managed to get at three balls, but the fourth final one which was on the pumping action and which held the power cylinder in place after each pump action could not be gotten at without taking off the power cylinder. The outside surface of the power cylinder was gored with marks of the pipe wrench. Someone did try hard to get that power cylinder off but could not!! In order to get the power cylinder off, we had to use heat on the block and cool the power cylinder and gladly it worked. After taking the bottom copper washer seal, the last ball was located and it was found to be surrounded with the remains of the bits of the power piston which over the years got under the ball and so it would not seat back as it should so It leaked. The small pumping piston showed evidence of its aging. The seal was on the end of the piston and not on the cylinder as an 0 ring. After ensuring that all was well, we threaded back on, the power cylinder in the lower block and tightened it as much as we could for the tightening of the top cap at a later stage could lift the power cylinder off the lower copper seal which also holds the ball valve from dropping into the power cylinder. So in this type of ground jack one needs to tighten the power cylinder in its block as tight as possible, but the upper cap should be," tightened snug it down on the seals" as the upper cap is not a high pressure-sensitive item but only deals with the oil in the reservoir. Again, well gone and thanks heavens you did not need to take the power cylinder off as we had to do, and found what we found, as tightening it back would need more torque than tightening the reservoir upper cap

[@artsnow8872]

You are right. The reservoir cap doesn't need all that torque since it's under very little pressure; after all, a rubber plug is used to plug the small fluid fill hole. If there were any pressure in the reservoir, that pressure would easily push that plug out and all the fluid would be pushed out. There isn't a good reason why the designers made the reservoir cap nut 2 3/16 inch (56 mm). A smaller nut would allow more commonly available tools (open-end or adjustable wrench) to be used....maybe, use a grinder to reduce two flats on the nut (to 2" or less)?

[@jeddidiahmalachai7436]

Thanks for the walk through!

[@mikeputteringaround]

You bet! Thanks for watching!

[@BrutusJones]

One of the few video's I've seen that is done correctly.

[@mikeputteringaround]

Thank you

[@fordracer1415]

Thank you so much I’ll have to check my model number but I bought mine about the same time. You make it look easy and do a great job explaining everything. I will use your amazon link to get parts. Thanks again

[@mikeputteringaround]

Thanks for watching

[@steventhechef1538]

Just what I need. Thanks for posting

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

Really enjoyed the tempo of your video. Thanks for making it. I have four of these jacks.....I suppose I'm a collector?

[@djscoville]

Excellent video, thank you! I have the same jack, but mine still works. The seal kit is currently unavailable on Amazon. I’ll. Keep checking back tho. I’m sure my 36 y. o. jack won’t last forever.

[@HB-yq8gy]

Thank you just what I was looking for!

[@barrygoodson4952]

I had that exact Jack for 20 plus year until I let some one borrow it. They never brought it back and I haven't been able to locate them. Those were great floor jacks !

[@altonrowell613]

I sure thank you for that information. I have 2 floor jacks doing the same thing. Great video Man. Thanks again.

[@joeguadian8674]

Good work sir 👍

[@fosty.]

I wish seal kits weren't so expensive. I just spend $220 on John Deere steering cylinder seals. Less hope I don't need this tutorial for the 3 ton Sears Jack the neighbors gave away.

[@Navajo-man]

Thanks excellent video now I can do my

[@pault3449]

Good video...thanks. A 55mm wheel bearing socket can spin that power unit nut off. I got it at the local NAPA store for $20.

[@josephplatania5593]

Thanks a lot perfect bud.

[@artsnow8872]

It's easier to loosen that big nut on the piston reservoir with a 2 3/16 inch socket. You may be able to rent / borrow the 2 3/16" socket from a tool rental or auto parts store. Place the socket on the nut (after pushing the piston all the way in). Put your breaker bar on the socket and give the breaker bar a few gentle raps with a hammer in the off (counterclockwise) direction; or, use an impact wrench on the socket. That nut won't seem so awfully tight, now. When tightening the nut, it doesn't need a lot of torque -- it's not a structural component.

[@TimothyReeve-py3be]

I watched another rebuild video by "Dr. Joe". He had a ring in his as well, and he just knocked it out the hammer/screwdriver. I just did the same - not at all difficult. I have shelved the rebuild for now, but will get back to it later.

[@arthursandoval147]

Very helpful.. I fixed my Jack !!

[@jakester455]

Helpful hint/warning: He kind of cheated on showing the removal of the large cap on top of the ram (that releases the piston). He made it look like it's hand tight. If that's been on there for 26 years, like mine was, it's going to take a hell of a lot of torque to break it. You'll need a monster vise attached to a monster steel table, and don't use a monkey wrench unless you have no other options. It'll tear up the hex on the ram (which I did to mine, and I didn't even get it loose LOL). Use a large crescent wrench or a socket wrench.

[@mikeputteringaround]

What you saw is what there was.. but yes, it was incredibly tight and the pipe wrench was the only thing I had large enough to do the job.

[@tigertank88m]

Same here, but i needed a little heat and pipe on the big pipe wrench. I actually bolted two bolts to the piston assembly on the outside of the jack to use for leverage.

[@jpcheco]

I had to,take mine to a hydraulic cylinder repair shop, yes he had those big wrenchesmand steel table. On the other hand, the internet outfits sell these kits charge too much, more than what the jack is worth (between $50 and $60). I went to a seal and gasket store and paid around $20 for the same seals!

[@jacksprat8677]

@@tigertank88m I too had to use heat and extension pipe on huge pipe wrench and still came close to ripping the vice from the table. However, my jack was a 3 ton model.

[@williamsnellen4901]

Awesome info 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸👍

[@stephenwickline4330]

Excellent video. Thanks. Just curious what the two plugs on either side of the star wheel are for?

[@stevew9563]

One is a safety pressure release. wont let you jack over a certain weight.

[@guydill2555]

What about the 1 1/2 ton floor jack pump ?? To rebuild this unit ??

[@chadfield376]

I was looking to see what jack rebuild videos were out there and came across yours on a random search. Since 1 of 2x 3 ton jacks I bought with a shop lot purchase does just what you described yours did in that it would pump up and then immediately fall back down, instead of trashing the jack, thought I would see if I could fix it first. From your video, glad to know all I need is a seal kit and this jack will be back in business for another 20+ years :-) What oil type did you use to refill with? Thanks ahead of time!

[@canuckfixit7722]

With the rebuild kit, there are bearings and other seals for the control valve. With this repair, why not replace the seals for the valve too?

[@williamsantiago7303]

Make sure you put oil on it because you never want to go in dry😂

[@jamesphillips1872]

Have a rapid lift Sears how do you adjust the lifting screws

[@jonathanwalrond3776]

that very imformative i love it

[@antongorrio]

Hello I removed the two caps and come out a string and two steel pellets but I did not see from which hole they come out any guess about??

[@austincole9310]

I have the same Jack but its a 3 ton model number 328.12050, im having trouble finding this seal kit on amazon. Is this seal kit a universal kit? If not do you have recommendations?

[@bestamerica]

' what country made this pump jackfloor... i have one orange pump jackfloor and put 2 handles on the both side... much help alot

[@TonyGeraghty]

How do you remove and replace the saddle?

[@martinsmythe3414]

After watching your vid I thought you may be able to provide some guidance MVP F301 jack It was working but leaking oil like crazy through the pump shaft. When I removed the shaft I Think I lost the o ring on the bottom end of the shaft if there was one appears like there is a slot.. I have a manual but it doesn't provide the size of it or show it. Give me some advise on how to determine the size? There is also an O-ring on the inside of the shaft that I can't seem to get out. Any advise. Thanks

[@joenunuk]

Could someone send the link to buy the repair kit. I can't read the numbers on my jack. I have that same one

[@jimmyhuffman6802]

I wonder if I can apply some heat to that bid nut with my oxygen, acetylene torch. ?

[@farmerboyjohnny1]

Please what type of fluid did you refill the jack with?thx

[@TimothyReeve-py3be]

Perhaps the metal lip (ring) around the top of the cap can be removed? Mike's showed the top of it right after he installed the seal, and there is definitely no metal ring present. Perhaps he removed it, although I don't know why he did not mention this. Mike - did you knock the metal ring out when you knocked out the seal?

[@forkhorn77]

Anyone know if these rebuild kits are universal to other old floor jacks? I have an old yellow jack that needs a rebuild , it doesn’t have any letters or numbers left on it , I don’t even know what brand, but the cylinder looks identical to this one in the video

[@jaydee3046]

Thanks I have one of these and this info will be useful. The jack bleeds down unless there is a load on it. I have to pump it up in a hurry to keep it going up and once there is a load on it, no problems staying up. Could it just be something is just dirty?

[@markjewell7973]

Mine does the same darned thing! How did you correct it?

[@jamesrogers8880]

Why side cutters to remove a spring?

[@privatename8888]

Where can I buy the kit?

[@chrisgaskey7934]

Just feel like I should say that you did get my Sears 80s jack working again. But putting it back together. I feel like you skip video on how to put it back together. Still a good video on how to rebuild

[@TimothyReeve-py3be]

The metal ring mentioned in my previous comment is welded in place, so to get the seal in, one must use a special hydraulic seal installation tool. This tool (around $20 or so) will deform the seal into a more compact, heart shape, so that it can be inserted down into the groove. Once it's there, you press it into the groove, all the way around, restoring the original circular shape. I've shelved this project for now, but at a later date I may get the seal installation tool to complete the job. I will have to re-order the seal kit - in frustration, I returned this ridiculously overpriced kit (Lazzar's HCRCnow), $70. Perhaps the price will come down. I'd like to restore my floor jack, but it can wait.

[@ymidnightblue9543]

So where do you find the model number. On your Jack

[@pauldunay7415]

Why is the rebuild kit so many pieces ?

[@TimothyReeve-py3be]

I have not been able to install the new seal in the power unit cap. You used a 1-1/4" socket to tap it into place. On my unit, there is a metal lip the reduces the diameter of the hole from 1-11/16" to 1-1/2". This lip made it difficult to remove the old seal, and now, I find it impossible to get the new seal into place. It is pretty rigid, so there is no way to deform it to get it underneath that lip. I can tell that the new seal, diameter 1-11/16" would fit perfectly -if I could get it in. I'm out of ideas on this. Anyone have any suggestions?

[@quackattack357]

I got the same one but in silver

[@murphytoadster9864]

That's the old one in my dad's garage we never got brig of it but it doesn't work

[@28tpi]

I need to do mine. They don't make them like that anymore.

[@tomstiel7576]

you missed a few o rings

[@silverrush481]

floor jack will not raise when pressure is applied i can hear fluid is by passing in the cylinder

[@douganniewall3429]

Anyone know if I can save $ on seals by just buying them at industrial supply store? Would take the old seals for sizing. Maybe cheaper than the Amazon kit?

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

I wanted to do the same. I have four of these jacks and would prefer to just change the seals I need. This is a hobby for me so doing the repair twice would not matter.

[@edwardnemec7611]

I agree the kit is way over priced. That old greasy Jack repair guy most likely a multi millionaire. My experience decades ago.

[@jpcheco]

I just went this afternoon to a nearby hydraulic seal and gasket store in Fontana, CA. Took the jack with me and a helpful young lady measured all seals and gaskets (all 6 of them). Total bill was $21.10. This is less than half all these online merchants want for their kits!

[@Dancing_Alone_wRentals]

@@jpcheco tHank you for this, this is info and help that no one has offered in the last years of jack videos!

[@douganniewall3429]

@@jpcheco Good ole customer service! Thanks for letting us know it can be done. Did you get them all installed and everything jacking good?

[@korkyCSOR]

The pump plunger pressure seal wasn't changed, it was only the wiper seal that was changed, no release seal was changed either. 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@jpcheco]

I was going to make the same comment. I have exactly the same jack and noticed the seal on the plunger wall as well as a wiper washer that were not replaced. On the other hand the main cap is so hard that I have not been able to loosen it!

[@florazhu936]

We have the new one,Not expensive😀

[@jonathonchalk6603]

Replacement kits are $50. Why repair when you can buy a brand new replacement for less than that at pretty much any big box store?

[@michaelthomas2916]

A decent 2 to 3 ton floor jack is about $150 to $200 (even at Harbor Freight and the jacks there are actually very good) depending on exactly which model you buy. One cannot realistically buy a decent one (comparable to the one in the video) for less than $50 at a "big box" store, unless it's just a very small one you can carry in the trunk of your vehicle. I have a 3 ton bought at Harbor Freight in January 2004 and it still works fine (never needed any jack oil etc.) and it was only about $100 to $110 back then but that was also quite a while ago.

[@kdcing]

I inherited the exact same Sears 2-ton jack from my father. Awesome jack and has worked leak free for 35 years. The wheels/casters on the front are worn down and need replacement. Does anyone know where to get replacements? All of my searches for replacements have ended in deadends. Any alternate casters/wheels out there?

[@alantorchia6674]

Why shouldn't you roll an o ring into place?

[@maxheadroom224]

The twisting will damage it's ability to hold fluid. It makes stretches and tears in the rubber.

[@byCarlsJr]

Spring is on backwards.

[@ack0011]

would not trust my life with that

[@artsnow8872]

True, one doesn't trust one's life to ANY jack to be the sole support for anything. One (you) put your trust into jack stands and any thing else you can put under the supported object. I am not bench-pressing a two ton vehicle!

[@edman1015]

I rebuilt the same jack but I also replaced the o-ring and the backup ring down inside the plunger. The top seal won't stop leaks on the plunger this just stops dirt around the plunger.

[@djscoville]

Hello, were these parts included in the seal kit or did you have to order them separately? Thanks.

[@lylejt]

I have a jack where I can’t get the gear attached to the cylinder to turn.

[@edwardnemec7611]

Just fixed mine. the star wheel teeth were not meshing do to one being bent. i used a grinder to shape the bent tooth. I also used a 1 1/8'' wrench to remove the assembly to check the threads. Didn't see anything wrong. Now working it needs seals as it won't hold a load.

[@darellsunderlin4670]

According to another video I watched with a sears jack there are several "o" rings you missed and some seal facsimiles. Just sayin!

[@jimmyhuffman6802]

Didn't show enough details on a complete rebuild. Try it again and show us where all the other o rings go, not to mention all the ball bearings that are left over in these kits.

[@julienrobins4121]

Excellent ! I have the 1.5 ton version " Green Jack " that I've had since the 70's. It just last week started to not hold weight and now only lifts a few inches and then sinks. After watching this video I am going to reseal it instead of buying a replacement. THanks again for showing us how it's done. Cheers !!

[@jpcheco]

I believe mine is also the green type 1.5 ton model made in Japan. As I said , took the old seals to a hydraulic parts store and paid around $20 for maybe 3 seals.