Fifthpro
Adventurer
SAR Squid79,
What you experienced with your HLJ is really quite common. It is the Cross Pin Spring and Cross Pin that is not functioning properly.
Maintenance is the key to prevent this but if it happens again there is a simple field fix that will allow you to continue with your recovery/jacking. I do suggest that you try this with a un-loaded HLJ first to see how it works mechanically before trying this in the middle of the night in poring rain. Keep in mind all of the safety concerns and the fact that a loaded HLJ requires 150 lbs to lower step by step or it will simply slide and drop your load.
When you are lowering the load, often times the "climbing pins" will bind in the holes of the main bar. This is a result of being exposed to the elements, gathering road grime, etc. When this happens all you have to do is grab a Leatherman Tool or Needle Nose Pliers and grab the pin and pull it into position, it will click and allow you to move the handle again, lowering the load on stop. Repeat as necessary until your load is no longer on the HLJ. Again for safety sake and so you do not hurt yourself, try this while the HLJ in not under load first but the next time it does you will not be slowed down, just whip out a Leatherman Tool and you are back into operation.
Of course this is a Band Aid fix to a larger problem, the bound pin…..Prior to every 4x4 excursion I go through a “Pre Run Check” of my rig and all recovery gear (of course I have a Post Run checklist as well). When it comes to recovery gear I check for accountability and to ensure that all gear is functional. This includes climbing up on my TJ and pulling off my HLJ from the roof rack, lube and inspect it. (THis may be asking to much for some folks I guess but I can not afford for a piece of gear to fail when I need it so I will go the extra mile.)
Obviously, the amount of crap the HLJ is exposed to the greater chance of grim binding the cross pin and climbing pin spring. By having it mounted on my roof rack it is exposed to the elements 24/7 and has direct contact with sand, dirt and mud. For those who mount he HLJ on the front of their bumper the amount of crap it gets exposed to increases, simply due to the proximity to the road. Other choose the rear of the vehicle in a verity of mounting locations. Those with horizontal mounts on the bumper get the Full Monty of road grim and dirt. If a poll was taken I would assume that those with the HLJ mounted there suffer from more HLF failures but that is just my guess.
As far as cleaning and lubricating; you can/should use white lithium grease, light penetrating oil, or a silicon / Teflon spray on the Steel Bar, Pitman Pin, Shear Bolt and of course the Climbing Pins and Springs. I do carry a a "Fix It Kit" for my HLJ just in case but have never had to use it.
Once again, just my opinion and it may differ from others with their own hard earned experiences….
What you experienced with your HLJ is really quite common. It is the Cross Pin Spring and Cross Pin that is not functioning properly.
Maintenance is the key to prevent this but if it happens again there is a simple field fix that will allow you to continue with your recovery/jacking. I do suggest that you try this with a un-loaded HLJ first to see how it works mechanically before trying this in the middle of the night in poring rain. Keep in mind all of the safety concerns and the fact that a loaded HLJ requires 150 lbs to lower step by step or it will simply slide and drop your load.
When you are lowering the load, often times the "climbing pins" will bind in the holes of the main bar. This is a result of being exposed to the elements, gathering road grime, etc. When this happens all you have to do is grab a Leatherman Tool or Needle Nose Pliers and grab the pin and pull it into position, it will click and allow you to move the handle again, lowering the load on stop. Repeat as necessary until your load is no longer on the HLJ. Again for safety sake and so you do not hurt yourself, try this while the HLJ in not under load first but the next time it does you will not be slowed down, just whip out a Leatherman Tool and you are back into operation.
Of course this is a Band Aid fix to a larger problem, the bound pin…..Prior to every 4x4 excursion I go through a “Pre Run Check” of my rig and all recovery gear (of course I have a Post Run checklist as well). When it comes to recovery gear I check for accountability and to ensure that all gear is functional. This includes climbing up on my TJ and pulling off my HLJ from the roof rack, lube and inspect it. (THis may be asking to much for some folks I guess but I can not afford for a piece of gear to fail when I need it so I will go the extra mile.)
Obviously, the amount of crap the HLJ is exposed to the greater chance of grim binding the cross pin and climbing pin spring. By having it mounted on my roof rack it is exposed to the elements 24/7 and has direct contact with sand, dirt and mud. For those who mount he HLJ on the front of their bumper the amount of crap it gets exposed to increases, simply due to the proximity to the road. Other choose the rear of the vehicle in a verity of mounting locations. Those with horizontal mounts on the bumper get the Full Monty of road grim and dirt. If a poll was taken I would assume that those with the HLJ mounted there suffer from more HLF failures but that is just my guess.
As far as cleaning and lubricating; you can/should use white lithium grease, light penetrating oil, or a silicon / Teflon spray on the Steel Bar, Pitman Pin, Shear Bolt and of course the Climbing Pins and Springs. I do carry a a "Fix It Kit" for my HLJ just in case but have never had to use it.
Once again, just my opinion and it may differ from others with their own hard earned experiences….
