problems storing bottle jack under rear seat?

A

austinXJ

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Austin Texas

• Jun 22, 2009

• #1

I have read that hydraulic bottle jacks should not be stored horizontally.

Anyone experience problems when storing hydraulic bottle jacks under the rear seat?

I don’t want to be on stranded the trail and discover that the hydraulic bottle jack won’t work!

Many thanks.

 

MrShaft696

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Blue Bell, PA

• Jun 22, 2009

• #2

never heard of that, but ive had a larger aftermarket one there for a few years now and I take it out ever now and again to use it and Its been ok.

 

J

jeepster_259

NAXJA Forum User

Location

West Palm Beach, FL

• Jun 22, 2009

• #3

considering the stock bottle jack is store under the rear seat, I don't see it as being a problem.

 

A

austinXJ

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Austin Texas

• Jun 22, 2009

• #4

The factory jack is not hydraulic. At least mine is not.

 

FordGuy

NAXJA Forum User

Location

San Clemente, CA

• Jun 22, 2009

• #5

All of the Ford 450-550's have there hydr jacks stored that way, and never have I seen a problem. Just like any jack, It helps to pump the fluid around.

 

T3hk1w1

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Houston

• Jun 22, 2009

• #6

Some (maybe all) hydro jacks won't operate when facing horizontally, but I've never heard of any problems caused by storing them that way. Mine is horizontal under the back seat at the moment.

 

3

3XJFamily

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Austin TX

• Jun 22, 2009

• #7

austinXJ said:

I have read that hydraulic bottle jacks should not be stored horizontally.

Anyone experience problems when storing hydraulic bottle jacks under the rear seat?

I don’t want to be on stranded the trail and discover that the hydraulic bottle jack won’t work!

Many thanks.

Click to expand...

Mine seem to leak when stored horizontally, old ones more than new. I think the temperature changes force fluid past the seals. I try to keep them in a plastic bag. They'll loose some of their lift height with the loss of fluid.

 

C

CharlieMopps

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Madison, wi

• Jun 22, 2009

• #8

I think the main concern is that they can leak out the piston. My el-cheapo harbor freight jack leaks like crazy.
Put a sealed bottle of jack oil in there with it (along with a funnel) and I think you shouldn't have anything to worry about other than a possible carpet stain.

 

tbburg

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Scottsdale AZ

• Jun 23, 2009

• #9

3XJFamily said:

Mine seem to leak when stored horizontally, old ones more than new. I try to keep them in a plastic bag. They'll loose some of their lift height with the loss of fluid.

Click to expand...

That's the problem I ran into too, as well as the solution. I have to top up the jack about once a year, and remember to clean out/replace the bag every once in a while to keep the carpet from getting saturated.