Floor Jack/Jackstands

[10kken]

I'm looking to buy a floor jack and set of jack stands, first to do some suspension work, and then for ongoing maintenance. Sears has has a 2 1/4 ton floor jack/jackstand combo for ~$45. And I saw this today on the J.C. Whitney website.

Anybody have experience with either of these, or comments about them as a low cost car raising system?

[buttuh]

I think Kragen has the same package deal for $30. I am not sure if there's a Kragen near you though.

[Keda]

Make sure that a little jack like that will lift the car high enough to get on the stands.

[abakos]

Originally posted by Keda
Make sure that a little jack like that will lift the car high enough to get on the stands.

Yeah that's all I'd caution you against. I have a little one and I have to put 2 2x4's on the pad to get a truck or SUV high enough to take a wheel off. They can handle the weight, just not the height.

I bought it before my wife got the Cherokee when it wasn't an issue. Doesn't hurt to plan ahead with these things... ;)

[shragon]

kragen is part of csk auto, which also operates checker and schuck’s.

[10kken]

Thanks for all of the good advice folks. Although I don't have an SUV in my stable, I had thought about the height issue.

What I also want to know is, are these products of decent quality (or are they pieces of sh*t)? Or do I need to be looking at jacks that will be priced higher?

[Keda]

I mentioned the height issue because I recently picked up a $25 jack from Advanced Auto to supplement my 100+ lb, get-a-workout-and-fix-your-car jack. I use it to do things like support suspension, etc while the car is on stands. I stuck it under the back to see how high it would go and I ended up short.

As far as quality of the little guy...I wouldn't get under the car whith it as the only support, but it seems decent enough.

[10kken]

What kind of maximum lift height should I be looking for? 18"? 20"? more?

[Jim O.]

I had a little jack like that - bent its frame about the 4th time I used it. Went to Sears, looked at the jacks, and picked the mid-size jack with the thickest frame and widest wheels that they had - it happened to be a 3 ton jack, came in a set with two jack stands for a bit under a hundred bucks. Small and light enough to haul to the track/autox. Goes low enough to fit under a lowered M3. Sturdy enough for me to use it almost every weekend for the last 4 years without any problems - no bending, no leaking.

I've always found those little jacks to be scary. Their wheels are too small, so they dig into the asphalt when you use them. They're pretty narrow, so tend to tip fairly easily, especially if you use them on an uneven or slanted surface. The sheet metal that they're made of is fairly thin, and the hydraulic mechanism just isn't very robust. Usually the lowering mechanisms are a bit touchy, too, and don't let you lower the car very gently or precisely. They're also so short that trying to jack up an end of the car using the subframe is a real pain.

I'd recommend paying a little more, and getting something built better. Make sure the jack goes low enough to get under your car. Make sure that you can reach the subframes with it, so you can raise an entire end of the car. And make sure that it can raise the car high enough so you can get it on tall enough jackstands so you can work underneath easily.

Jim

[10kken]

Thanks Jim. Sometimes low price means low quality, which just ends up costing more in the end. I'm going to look at some of the Sears jacks this weekend to seei f I like any.

[DesmoBob]

i second that for sears jacks. they often run package deals that include jack stands, i think they may even have a sale going right now.

however, if you do end up getting a jack that's too big to fit under a lowered car, you can drive the car up some makeshift ramps for a little added clearance for a big jack:

http://www.bimmerforums.com./forum/showthread.php?postid=441429#post441429

[Uj2]

Got a small jack and stands from walmart for about $40 the set. Been working fine so far. Used 'em about 2 dozen times with no problems. For a small car they're pretty good.

[Keda]

As I mentioned in a previous post, I have a a very large jack and a small one. The big jack has been around for a while.

Do any of you konw how to service a jack? Or can you tell me where, or what type of shop to take it to?

The jack scared me the other day. I had the the rear of the M in the air and the jack didn't want to release. This is a really big jack and I'd rather have it serviced than replaced.

[abakos]

Originally posted by Keda
As I mentioned in a previous post, I have a a very large jack and a small one. The big jack has been around for a while.

Do any of you konw how to service a jack? Or can you tell me where, or what type of shop to take it to?

The jack scared me the other day. I had the the rear of the M in the air and the jack didn't want to release. This is a really big jack and I'd rather have it serviced than replaced.

They're pretty simple inside...I don't know of any places that service them. You could probably take it apart and just change O-rings and seals to get it back to new condition.

Just don't ask me where to get the parts... I'd try to get ahold of the manufacturer, they might have a rebuild kit.

[alexd]

Sean - parts will be going out Friday the latest. Call me when you get a min. 724-940-5520 ext 320

Thanks

[Dinan330ic]

I got my jack and jackstands from Sears. It was like $100. It's black and the max load is 3 tons. Works very well.

[RacermeX]

I got a pretty decent floor jack from Costco for about $65 and a set of jacks for $17.
Everything is heavy duty. Lowest point is 3.5 inches and has a lift of about 21" I believe.
I feel very safe with this setup. I've seen a few broken smaller jacks.

[Pinecone]

The things to watch for are not only max lift, but also minimum height and reach. To put jack stands under the car, the easiest way is to jack from the middle and put the jack stands at the normal jack points. Those short little jacks won't reach.

Also consider a lightweight jack if you ever think you might track or serious autocross. You will like the lower weight.

I have a Walmart jack. It works, but it is not low enough to get under the sills of an E46 M3. You have to lift the body a bit to get the jack under.

I have a Harbor Freight Aluminum racing jack. It works very well for all uses, plus is under 35 pounds.

Then there is the top of the line, jacks from the Ultimate Garage. LONG reach, low minimum height. Probably the best single shop jack out there. But not cheap. One day I will get one.