You are correct jjinatx, you do not have to take off the ring unless it is easier to clean it up as you did. Are you saying yours doesn't have caps?? They seal on the outer part of the socket housing. There is a small lip that the caps snap over..check yours to see if it has the lip. You should really get that taken care of. 54suds has a great cut away veiw..as I had mentioned, oiling the socket has nothing to do with the screw drive part. If you pull the pin on the upper shaft the whole leg slips out of the jack if you feel it needs to be re lubed.