I've just finished completely rebuilding my Hy-lift after my trip to PHILS in feburary (I keep it on the back door with the spare tire). When I got back, it took me an hour to get the key into the lock that holds the mount on, and the HY-lift was really beat up with all the salt and such on the roads (plastic bag next time dummy!). I sandblasted all the parts but the main shaft, and painted them with POR-15. I sanded the release arm so that were it slides on the jack piece, it slides easier. Now I don't have to hit it with a hammer to get it to lower. HY-lift sent me new stickers at no charge, and it looks and works as new. While I was at it, I replaced the cotter pins in the handle and base with 1/4" bolts, and when I installed the handle I wrapped it with electrical tape so it fit nice and snug. I toped the handle off with a rubber tip from the local hardware store, and used plenty of water-proof grease on the sliding parts. Oh, and I added a grade-8 bolt and ny-lock nut to the top mount, so it doesn't loosen up when you aren't using it. It looks better than new, and works great. I also made a new set of Billet steel wing nuts to hold it to my mount, now I can position it so it is further away from the taillight when I open the back door.
Kary
And, YES, they need to be used with caution.