Servicing the brakes today I used the suicide jack to get the wheels off. Lifting was more difficult than it should have been. Stiff, and a half-a-turn backlash in the handle.
So it was time to have a look at it. I drilled out the 5 rivets holding the top on the gearbox. Inside there is a worm and pinion which drives the screw thread. The pinion was very worn one one edge only, and if left too much longer would have failed completely.
The reason for this was that the thrust bearing at the bottom of the screw thread had collapsed, so the whole thing was several mm too low. I can imagine the gearbox failing with the van partialy lifted on the hard shoulder in the dark and rain somewhere, and not being able to get the van up or down. Embarrassing and dangerous!
Fortunately the pinion can be pulled off and turned over, to use the unworn side of the teeth, and new bearings are available cheaply. The bearing is 51200 (or thrust bearing 10x26x11mm). It's 1.5mm thinner than the old bearing, so will need a washer.
So this is a "heads up" for everyone still using the original equipment jack. Check it still has a complete thrust bearing at the bottom. If not, best get it sorted before it lets you down.
So it was time to have a look at it. I drilled out the 5 rivets holding the top on the gearbox. Inside there is a worm and pinion which drives the screw thread. The pinion was very worn one one edge only, and if left too much longer would have failed completely.
The reason for this was that the thrust bearing at the bottom of the screw thread had collapsed, so the whole thing was several mm too low. I can imagine the gearbox failing with the van partialy lifted on the hard shoulder in the dark and rain somewhere, and not being able to get the van up or down. Embarrassing and dangerous!
Fortunately the pinion can be pulled off and turned over, to use the unworn side of the teeth, and new bearings are available cheaply. The bearing is 51200 (or thrust bearing 10x26x11mm). It's 1.5mm thinner than the old bearing, so will need a washer.
So this is a "heads up" for everyone still using the original equipment jack. Check it still has a complete thrust bearing at the bottom. If not, best get it sorted before it lets you down.
Now dead easy to lift the van. As the top and bottom races aren't as thick, we'll just have to wait and see how long it lasts.
