I did not purchase but thinking could be harbor freight. Have two. Both same problem. Will go up a couple inches and quit. Says don't add fluid. They do not look abused. Are they junk? Any thoughts.

Thanks guys.

quote:

Says don't add fluid

What says this? Is it a sticker on side, is it the owner's manual, or other?

Any chance you have air trapped in it and it needs to be bled?

How old is it? Sounds like it is not holding the fluid pressure so might need to be bled or gaskets and o-rings might need to be replaced for the piston. I have a 25 year old Sears Craftsman jack that stopped working and I found a website that sells repair kits with all the gaskets and o-rings. I removed the piston and replaced all of the gaskets and o-rings, refilled with Jack fluid, and now it works like new.

Easy peasy. (check)

With the valve open (as in lowering the ram), pump the handle quickly full strokes about 10 times.

Close the valve and see if it goes up, if so, take it to full extension, then open the valve and drop it.

Once it is fully down, remove the filler screw and then replace it.

If it does not lift all the way after the 10 strokes, do the servicing of fluid per the manual, and try again.

Thanks guys. Go up a couple of inches and that's it.
Going for scrap iron as nothing has worked.