A hydraulic jack, whether a trolley jack or a bottle jack, works in the dirtiest conditions: on the garage floor, at the roadside, in mud and in salty winter slush. Dirt packs into the pivots and wheels, rust forms on the ram and the mechanism starts to stick.
Regular cleaning takes a few minutes and needs no specialist. Afterwards the jack lifts smoothly and the metal has a protective layer against moisture.
What you will need
Important: Do not spray anything into the hydraulic oil filler or the release valve. Never work under a vehicle supported only by a jack: always use axle stands.
Step 1
Lower the jack and prepare the area
Make sure the jack is not under load. Lower the ram or saddle fully by opening the release valve. If the jack is powered, disconnect it from the supply.
Stand the jack on a level surface with cardboard or a rag underneath to catch the dirt.
Step 2
Remove loose dirt
Use a stiff brush to remove dried mud, sand and snow from the body, lifting arm, wheels and saddle. Pay particular attention to the arm pivots and wheel axles, where abrasive grit speeds up wear.
Step 3
Apply the product to the metal parts
Spray WD-40 Multi-Use generously on all metal parts: body, arm, pivots, wheels and springs. It gets under dirt and old grease, loosens them and displaces moisture. On large trolley jacks, WD-40 Trigger Pro with its trigger spray makes the job quicker.
Leave it for a few minutes to work.
Step 4
Wipe it clean
Wipe off the loosened dirt and excess product with a clean microfibre cloth. A thin protective film stays on the metal to prevent corrosion.
Wipe the ram with a separate clean cloth so no dirt is drawn under the seal when it lowers. Inspect it: scratches and rust on the ram damage the seal.
Step 5
Lubricate moving parts
Apply WD-40 Specialist White Lithium Grease to the wheel axles, arm pivots and handle socket. It stays put under metal-to-metal load and is not washed off by rain. Raise and lower the jack a few times without load to spread the grease.
Look for signs of hydraulic oil leaks. Check the oil level and type according to the jack manufacturer's instructions.
Tip: Store the jack with the ram fully lowered: the polished surface is then not exposed to damp air, it does not rust and the seals last longer.
What next
Clean the jack after every use in mud or on salted roads and give it a full service once a season. In workshops and fleets it is handy to keep WD-40 5 l with sprayer for regular treatment of all your tools.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».