I just bought this jack from a store who's initials are HF. I have an identical one that has served me well for years.

This one mechanically works fine, does not droop, and the movement is smooth. However, the pistons below the handle that compress when you put the jack handle down seem to be leaking a thick grease.

My question is whether they were simply overfilled at the factory or if there is a grease seal inside them that is blown out which would then indicate I should return it.

Thanks.
Derf

 

Better picture after 15 pumps of the handle piston open.


Hydraulic piston open, Jack not lifting


Hydraulic piston closed, jack lifting, six pumps, full travel of Jack. I wiped off the grease from the test above so any grease you see in this picture is new. It all seems to be reappearing from the right side of the left piston center moving part.

 

I don't have a jack like that one, derf, so I'm not sure. I don't recall any of my hydraulic jack having grease around them like that, though. Is it holding pressure and not leaking down if you have weight on it? All I can say is if you don't feel safe using it like that, return it and get a replacement and see if it does the same thing.

 

Assembly lube? The jack has hydraulic fluid in it not grease.

 

Indeed it does have 22 weight hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic piston. Just don't want to run out of lubricant 5 years from now so I wondered if there was a seal or if it's just between moving parts.

Thank you

 

My 40+ year old floor jack let me know that it wants a new seal by leaking on the floor. I bet that jacks up quickly then shifts gears when the weight is on. I might look next time I am in HF. How do you like it?

 

I never thought of assembly grease, Andy. That makes sense because, like you, I've always known when I have a leak. Hydraulic fluid has a totally different viscosity than grease! Wipe it off as best as you can, derf, and keep an eye on it. If it doesn't bleed down when you have weight on it, I'd guess it's okay.

 

That looks to be the same design as my Pittsburgh Automotive 4-Ton jack from Harbor Freight. Mine doesn't have any grease coming out of the pistons; which now makes me wonder if it has any assembly grease? I agree with Rubehayseed though; if it holds weight and operates smoothly it's a good to go (in my book).