DIY Cylinder Repair - 2 Post Car Lift

[@federicoagustinmora6830]

This is what a DIY is about, less talk and to the point! Great info! OMW to fix my lift 👍

[@firstrespondergarage]

👍👍 success very good video thank you. I got those same cylinders. I find that boiling the the "seals" makes em more pliable. To put them in the bore. To cover the threads from damaging the seals I use those transparent paper protectors over the threads. Sometimes the paper protector tears if it goes crooked. To clean the cylinders I bought a nylon brush off eBay that was 48" long and put a scotch brite pad on the end, the nylon grabs the scotch pad and I hone with gasoline. Those hook/retaining rings are a pain i find that filing a ramp in the groove helps and lot with the feed. 🚒

[@PerpetualProjects]

Good tips, thank you.

[@600miles]

You saved my bacon on disassembly. My lift only has 1 cylinder but is 3" diameter x 4' long. I made a reassembly video on mine and put a link to you for dismantle.

[@PerpetualProjects]

Thank you, glad to help out. Getting the cap off was tricky.

[@mikeinna2814]

Great video. I have to reseal the cylinders on my lift this week.

[@PerpetualProjects]

Thank you, it wasn't as big a deal as I thought it was going to be, I actually put it off for a long time.

[@strangepursuit]

Thanks. 🙂

[@timwindsor03]

Awesome video brother. Thanks for sharing. Keep the content coming. Hope you have an incredible day. Much love and RESPECT

[@BigBlock402]

Well at least now you know thats done. Great job on the rebuild.

[@PerpetualProjects]

Thank you!

[@WebWheeler]

Thanks for the video! Just what I needed

[@richardpratt6519]

Nice job Sir looks rebuilt to me. No more floor dry piles around for the leak.

[@PerpetualProjects]

Thank you. Hopefully. LOL

[@SquarebodyStuff]

You're now a certified hydraulics expert.🤣😂 THis is good stuff, thanks for sharing it. Kinda jealous now that you have a lift.

[@PerpetualProjects]

😂😅 If you say so lol. I'm definitely excited to use it!

[@600miles]

I got my 7000 pound lift for $700 from a car club member who was too old to work on his cars anymore. Mine has ATF in it, maybe why it failed twice with my car at full height.

[@douglascunningham1840]

Use carburetor cleaner and a plastic PVC pipe and a rag with a string on it to ram in and clean the inside of the cylinder wall and blow it out with air. Hold the cylinder in a vise. Put a oil bucket on the floor to catch any hydrolic oil.

[@Mr601money]

Awesome video 💯

[@PerpetualProjects]

Thanks!

[@genegalpin556]

Chrome socket on a impact! You madman! Hahaha. Great video. Thanks for sharing.

[@paulgoldston6291]

great video thanks it really helped me a lot

[@CliffHubbard]

great job

[@robertovazquez969]

Thank you sir 👏

[@PerpetualProjects]

Thanks for watching !

[@richardsoule278]

great job, my 2 post lift is stuck in the up position can't release chocks. ideas?

[@RonniePerry-yo3yv]

How did u get to the hose that connects on back of ram ? Thanks mine is unreachable

[@011motors]

Obrigado Pela dica

[@douglascunningham1840]

After install run the lift up and down several times to remove any air traped inside.

[@PerpetualProjects]

Good tip!

[@lilscooter1198]

What kit did you use?

[@PerpetualProjects]

I didn't use a kit. I went to a local hydraulic shop and got the seals individually. I tried to get one from carliftparts.com but they didn't have one for that old of a model

[@lilscooter1198]

@@PerpetualProjects I got ya thanks for the info

[@PerpetualProjects]

@@lilscooter1198 no problem!

[@partsisparts9568]

Thanks for posting this reseal project. My 1980’s Weaver has a minor oil leak and the cylinders look very similar. I have seen people use a cone to stretch pre warmed seals up and over a piston lip.

[@brandontscheschlog]

Very cool. Was this a Rotary Lift?

[@PerpetualProjects]

No it is a two post lift. Thank you.

[@philtheheaterguy951]

@@PerpetualProjectsRotary is a manufacturer. He wants to know the manufacturer of the lift. Post a picture of the tag.

[@PerpetualProjects]

@@philtheheaterguy951 There are no manufacturers tags on the lift.

[@philtheheaterguy951]

@@PerpetualProjects In the future it is a good idea to put those rubber seals that are difficult to slip on and install in a pot of clean hydraulic fluid compatible with the lift and heat the oil. Don’t boil the oil, just bring the temperature up enough that the seal becomes softer and increases in size just enough that it will install easier. Some guys will try to use a torch. I like to use the can or pot of oil method and let the seal sit in the fluid for a little while so it gets equally and thoroughly heated so it doesn’t cool too quickly. Also, you won’t damage the seal by heating it that way, while an open flame could damage the seal reducing its lifespan.

[@brianb5779]

I have a question that i hope you could answer. The top big cap of the cylinder (the part that the ring has to be rotated off to remove the cylinder). Are you able to notice when rack goes up under load if there is a slight amount of movement up/down. Ive been having issues and have pump and everything out but before i pulled all that i noticed while looking at that area right at bottom of the top piece that when i actuate the lift it would separate from the cylinder a little less than a 1/16" of a inch. Wasnt sure if possibly it was a internal bypass issue or it was normal and was hoping you could watch yours and let me know if there was zero movement or yours had some movement. Thank you for the video because it will help me if i have to do mine. Take care

[@PerpetualProjects]

Once the cap is locked in with the ring it has no movement up and down. These cylinders are dry on the top and have a vent to let the air in and out when they go up and down. Hope that helps.

[@brianb5779]

​@Perpetual Projects Yep, well damn. Def looks like my problem then. Really appreciate the info and again your video helps alot. Ive done cylinders before but not this style so def not a concern now knowing how it comes apart. Thanks alot brother for the info and reply. Now im not guessing. I just now have to hope that mohawk stocks the seal kit since its their oldest model.

[@quinton3997]

Are the seals the same on these cylinders

[@PerpetualProjects]

The seals are specific to the cylinder size and piston design.

[@bobreichel]

I have a harbor freight scissor lift and on 1 cylinder it's pissing out a hole. I'm assuming a vent. It's rated for 6000lb but after lifting my truck 4000lb a couple of times it started pissing out the hole. It's doing it wile lifting my car now as well. Could it be a bad seal? I'm not sure so I'm trying to get more info before attempting to fix it.

[@PerpetualProjects]

That is the vent and yes there shouldn't be oil in there. That is the same thing ours was doing.

[@bobreichel]

@PerpetualProjects ok, but what is causing it to shoot out the vent when lifting my car? My car is 3000lb and the lift is rated for 6000lb.

[@PerpetualProjects]

@@bobreichel The fluid leaks past the piston and fills the air cavity. Then when you lift it the fluid gets pushed out the vent.

[@philtheheaterguy951]

@@bobreichel The answer to your question is two words. Harbor Freight. I have seen many lifts that weren’t capable of lifting their listed “rating”. I have also seen cases of lifts that were sold as one rating but the sales company/installer changed the cylinder(s) with smaller units. Increased profits are the goal. Well manufactured lifts are usually capable of lifting at least 20% more than their rating. This is engineered so that the lift will be safe and last longer. Much of the equipment sold today is made in “Chy-na” and is under engineered. An example is the Harbor Freight Jack Stand recall. They sold Jack stands that were so bad that they were failing so often that they were recalled by the Government. In my experience the lower rated lifts (6000 lbs and under) sold for DIY market are often most susceptible to the under engineering. You should not have fluid escaping from the air vent purge on the hydraulic cylinder. I would take the unit back to Harbor Freight and have it replaced. If you can get a refund, do so and then buy a better quality lift. You’re the one working under that vehicle. If you only get a repair or replacement make sure they give you accurate paperwork describing their solution. Replacement entire unit NEW. New replacement cylinder. Rebuilt cylinder, etc. If it fails again, take them to small claims court. Good Luck.

[@singhgagan9741]

12 k rotary lift shakes when lowering down any advice

[@PerpetualProjects]

Sorry I have no idea, or experience with rotary lifts.

[@roadwarrior1157]

put seal in hot water to soften it up

[@PerpetualProjects]

Good tip, thank you.

[@deannak1841]

We can't get the piston out! WTF is the problem