Damaged Jack Pad
 

I was setting up yesterday any miscalculated where the pad from the jack was landing. One of my pads straddled the concrete pad and sand and bent the pad. It is still operational and can retract but doesn't perform as well due to only half the pad engaging the ground. Anyone have ideas on how best to bend it back?

I'm going to say extend the jacks on a level surface, then use a mallet. :D

You're not alone, I did the exact same thing a few weeks ago, but in my case, one spring fell and the pad came off the end of the jack and then the jack wouldn't retract all the way. Drove 110 miles with the warning bell chiming the entire way (turned the radio up loud!). Anyway, long story about how I did it, but I got it back together. If you're careful, you can take the pad off and either bend it with a hammer or in a vice - or just replace it.

My pads are held on the piston by a large bolt. You may have the same type and if so you can remove the bolt and take the pad to a machine shop and have them bend it back into shape. I don't thin a mallet will do it. Maybe a 6 pound sledge hammer.

Or turn it upside down in front of a tire and roll over it. Even then I don't think you will bend it much.

Happy trails.

Mine was bent. With the jack up I got a bottle jack under the lowest side of the bent pad and jacked the pad back straight. You might have to move the bottle jack around a couple of times but if you take your time it will straighten it easily.

Just curious. Are your pads not held in place by the springs that help raise the jacks?

Thanks for your comments.

Is this a Power Gear jack? Or other brand? I got a replacement pad for my Equalizer brand jack after catching an edge on a stone buries in soft soil. I assume Power Gear has them available as well.

I did the same stunt as I learned a 31 foot MH is not a good rig for Four Wheeling. My fix was to remove the pad and run a weld bead on the one side where it contacts the hydraulic ram so as to level the pad in relationship to the shaft.Bolt the pad back in place. Easy half hour fix (and cheap)

I would use PAT. He is my 6 lb, ball peen, Permanent Adjusting Tool

Yes the brand is Power Gear.

I also did the same thing ...but a broke the bolt that holds the pad to the piston...the springs kept in place till I replaced the bolt...nice to know your not alone huh!

Very good to know I'm not alone!