Refilling hyrdraulic camper jacks

sco22 · #1 10-28-2012, 02:06 PM

I have a camper that I use for hunting and the hydraulic oil has leaked out of the seal. . .is there a way to refill that? I see a bolt on the housing, but I have never tried checking the oil. Help?

Cheers.

triguy · #2 10-28-2012, 02:49 PM

Yes. Open that carefully as may be under pressure. Fill to top with leg as short as possible. Trans fluid works great.

borchy · #3 10-28-2012, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by triguy

Yes. Open that carefully as may be under pressure. Fill to top with leg as short as possible. Trans fluid works great.

X2

mooseknuckle · #4 10-28-2012, 03:50 PM

Yep just unscrew the bolt get a small funnel or fashion one up. Trans fluid or brake fluid work well.

deanmc · #5 10-28-2012, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mooseknuckle

Yep just unscrew the bolt get a small funnel or fashion one up. Trans fluid or brake fluid work well.

Brake fluid? I would use transmission fluid, hydraulic oil, or power steering fluid but I dont think i would try brake fluid in there.

Dacotensis · #6 10-28-2012, 04:31 PM

Hydraulic fluid is cheap. About $5 for a L.
Get a squirt can and carry it around.
For the amount of times you will be using the jack, this is a way cheaper option than replacing the jack.

Grizzly Adams · #7 10-28-2012, 05:02 PM

hydraulic oil.

If it's leaking, better fix that first or your camper may be settling into the dust. Used to be able to get them rebuilt, but I'm not sure if you can anymore. As my wife pointed out to me the other day. truck campers are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Been a while, but I think the jack has to be up or you will overfill it.

Grizz

harrydude · #8 10-28-2012, 05:22 PM

Well here is a good sub for oil. Vegetable oil. All the house movers use this cause it if spills on the ground it is ok

I have it in my engine hoist and it works well

harrydude · #9 10-28-2012, 05:22 PM

Ps brake fluid will destroy the seals or what's left of them.

Loggrlee · #10 10-28-2012, 08:40 PM

I use a horse syringe to get the oil through that little hole

mooseknuckle · #11 10-28-2012, 09:03 PM

My bad folks I'm really not that dumb!! Lol. I meant hyrd. Or trans fluid. Duh. I read from the bottom up just now and said brake fluid? Who's the idiot suggesting that? Pardon me I need to get my foot out of my mouth! Or my head out of my azz!! Hey maybe I'll use some brake fluid.

harrydude · #12 10-28-2012, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mooseknuckle

My bad folks I'm really not that dumb!! Lol. I meant hyrd. Or trans fluid. Duh. I read from the bottom up just now and said brake fluid? Who's the idiot suggesting that? Pardon me I need to get my foot out of my mouth! Or my head out of my azz!! Hey maybe I'll use some brake fluid.

Lol

CanuckShooter · #13 10-29-2012, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grizzly Adams

hydraulic oil.

If it's leaking, better fix that first or your camper may be settling into the dust. Used to be able to get them rebuilt, but I'm not sure if you can anymore. As my wife pointed out to me the other day. truck campers are quickly becoming a thing of the past. Been a while, but I think the jack has to be up or you will overfill it.

Grizz

I always topped off with ATF fluid....a rebuild usually just entails taking them apart and replacing the O~rings and putting them back together. Mine would always leak around the pump cylinders. Pretty simple really.

sco22 · #14 10-30-2012, 09:38 AM

Thanks guys - I am so hopeless when it comes to anything requiring mechanical skill that I really should video tape this. . .and post for your entertainment.

Cheers.