Harbor Freight Older Style Motorcycle Lift Piston Repair

If you have an older Harbor Freight Motorcycle Lift, and it leaks or just doesn't pump up well, for around $10 you can get it going again. This hydraulic pump/piston is no longer available, so this may help you out. The timestamp is wrong... Ooops

[@richardschaffling9882]

Well done

[@JayTee416]

Great info, thank you. Any idea what size o-ring is needed on the release side valve that goes between the valve and the checkball.

[@skaveman9126]

Sorry didn't take that apart.

[@JoelSc14]

have the same pump, same weeping seal... did the seal replacement get the jack working properly again ?? or is it still iffy ?? thanks for your time and the video

[@skaveman9126]

Worked as it should after the replacement. I have since sold that lift.

[@JoelSc14]

@@skaveman9126 appreciate it!

[@JoelSc14]

@@skaveman9126 last question, did a ton of fluid come out when you took the piston out, or just a little ?? trying to decide how much fluid i need on hand for the repair.. have a few ounces after filling the pump left.. thanks

[@skaveman9126]

@@JoelSc14 Mine had a pretty severe leak so most was gone. I believe if you remove the seal, whatever is in there will spill out. good to put new stuff in anyway.

[@martinhauk1852]

I have pretty much the same lift only mine came with pneumatic piston motor to pump it up with compressed air. The pneumatic motor gave out so I took a slightly different tack and installed a hydraulic cylinder powered by an electric pump. It worked so well that I did the same to my second lift which was identical to yours. Here's the link to the video on the mods I did. kzbin.info/www/bejne/imfIeZ2ej7Oejtk Here's the video on the conversion I did on my second lift. kzbin.info/www/bejne/j3XJm6eQg5p0gNk

[@dennytuma]

thanks I think i have developed the same problem

[@richardgarrison8095]

Thank you, my local hydraulic cylinder shop had the seal as they had repaired this unit for a customer and kept them in stock.

[@skaveman9126]

Excellent! Glad to hear another one is still in service.

[@erwinroman4217]

Mine is 15 years old and died lifting my Harley. Worked great with a 500lb bike. 900lbs? HA! I'll do what you did and see if it fixes it. On thing though, you didn't try and clean out and seal bits before putting the piston back? And how did you bleed the air out?

[@skaveman9126]

I did clean out the bits, just didn't get it on Video. As for the bleed... Just pumped it up and it came back, then topped off the fluid

[@erwinroman4217]

Thanks. Just ordered the seals. My lift is dated 2006 so if this doesn't get the Harley in the air, I'll look for a new lift. It pumps up empty so it "sort of" works.

[@JoelSc14]

@@skaveman9126 for fluid height/ full mark... is that under the plastic cap, screw thing ?? or just fill the rubber plug hole in the down position ??

[@skaveman9126]

@@JoelSc14 I filled it to just under the rubber plug, if I remember correctly. If you overfill it'll let you know :^)

[@JoelSc14]

@@skaveman9126 after all these years 🤦.... Working well now.. Thanks!! 🙂

[@AliciaSchaffer-p6j]

Very informative!

[@williammena7747]

You’re a life saver!

[@skaveman9126]

Glad it helped you!