Why Does an A-Frame Trailer Jack Get Difficult to Crank

Updated 03/01/2016 | Published 02/29/2016

Question:

I have one of these on my trailer. Its grease is all gummed up making the cranking up and down extremely hard. How do I take it apart to clean and re-grease? In looking closely at it, If I take the swing handle off from its top, It doesnt appear it would do anything as far as coming apart? thank you in advance.

asked by: Dennis W

Expert Reply:

I spoke with my contact at Fulton jacks and he stated that what you are describing is a symptom of the jack screw inside the jack seizing up.

Jack companies don't make the internals of their jacks easily accessible for cleaning and lubrication. Typically to get them apart requires quite a bit of work and then they are nearly impossible to get back together properly. You can try lubricating the jack from the bottom of the inner leg up into the top of the jack, but it's going to be much easier to just replace the jack with one like the part # PSEA20000103 that you referenced.

Chances are the screw of your jack has been damaged so replacing it will be the only option.

expert reply by: Jameson C