Bottle jack keeps coming loose

[HereinDaRockies]

I have tried the prescribed method in the manual of stabilizing the bottle jack in the cargo area - I pump it up so it locks itself into the cavity it’s strapped into. However after a few days the jack lowers again it starts rattling again. I have tried the nylon strap. It does nothing in terms of stabilizing the jack.

Are there other strategies of locking in the bottle jack so it doesn’t rattle?

 

[C-Mack]

I had the same issue and used a couple of pieces of aluminized metal duct tape doubled up to tape over the top of the jack and down either side to keep the top threaded portion of the jack from rattling around inside the hydraulic piston. I also put a small piece of the same tape over the part where you insert the jack handle to pump up the jack as that was another rattling source. The foil tape is easy to remove by hand so it presents no issues if you need to use the jack in an emergency.

 

[Tazzieman]

I have tried the prescribed method in the manual of stabilizing the bottle jack in the cargo area - I pump it up so it locks itself into the cavity it’s strapped into. However after a few days the jack lowers again it starts rattling again. I have tried the nylon strap. It does nothing in terms of stabilizing the jack.

Are there other strategies of locking in the bottle jack so it doesn’t rattle?

I presume you've tested your jack i.e. it holds pressure under a significant load?

 

[HereinDaRockies]

I had the same issue and used a couple of pieces of aluminized metal duct tape doubled up to tape over the top of the jack and down either side to keep the top threaded portion of the jack from rattling around inside the hydraulic piston. I also put a small piece of the same tape over the part where you insert the jack handle to pump up the jack as that was another rattling source. The foil tape is easy to remove by hand so it presents no issues if you need to use the jack in an emergency.

Doesn’t the jack itself jostle in the compartment? The strap does nothing to hold it in place?

Or is the rattling sound purely from these moving parts of the jack?

 

[C-Mack]

Doesn’t the jack itself jostle in the compartment? The strap does nothing to hold it in place?

Or is the rattling sound purely from these moving parts of the jack?

I initially thought it was the jack jumping around in the mount but it was the moving parts on the jack itself that would rattle. The axle cradle that sits inside the piston is threaded and would back out of the piston with road vibration. It would make a jingling metallic sound, sort of like a couple of bolts and nuts rattling around inside a glass jar.

I threaded in the axle cradle in until it was tight inside the piston then put the tape over it with a little bit of tension. This keeps the cradle from unthreading itself and getting loose again. I also put a little tape over the mechanism where you insert the jack handle to pump it up. It’s loosely riveted together and was also rattling a little. Don’t go crazy with the tape just enough to keep things from moving and it’ll quiet things down nicely.

Also, there should be a thin layer of foam padding under the jack to cushion it. If you want you could put a similar thin piece of padding behind the jack then cinch up the strap tight and that should stop any noises.