Inuendo goes here-Floor Jack Question

"Straightsix9904" (Straightsix9904) 11/03/2016 at 16:06 • Filed to: None

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Ok, somehow in one of my past moves I have lost a floor jack. I am about to buy a new one and was looking for some input. I really don’t want to spend more than 75-100 bucks.

Has anybody used the aluminum harbor freight ones. There is one for $60 that lifts 1.5 tons, only weighs 34lbs and is the rapid pump. I’ll only be lifting one corner of a BMW 335i or Jetta Sportwagen. 3,500 lbs max vehicle weight

Any better bang for your buck? I’ll probably only use it maybe 6-8 times a year, rotating tires and oil changes. I’d like it to be somewhat lightweight as I’m moving back to an apt after I bought my house 9 months ago (long story)

fourvalleys > Straightsix9904 11/03/2016 at 16:08

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Nope, that’s the one to get. I’ve got one, it does the job. It does the job for dozens of my friends, as well. As with any jack, don’t be a dummy - use it for lifting onto jack stands only. It’ll do just fine.

crowmolly > Straightsix9904 11/03/2016 at 16:10

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Heavier than you want but I don’t know anyone who has had a bad experience with this jack. It’s $140 but worth the cash. I’ve busted more than one cheap jack so I wouldn’t bother with anything really inexpensive. JMO.

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Straightsix9904 11/03/2016 at 16:11

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What four valleys said. Shitty (HF) jacks are fine if you’re not a heavy user and you’re promptly putting the car onto jackstands as you should with any jack regardless of quality.

I’ve still not broken down and gotten one of those HF ones, but I probably will shortly.

atfsgeoff > Straightsix9904 11/03/2016 at 16:18

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The aluminum 1.5t is really handy for portability, particularly if you’re picking it up often. My favorite floor jack thus far is the Daytona 3-ton jack, but it’s heavy to pick up. It’s a HUGE time saver though, because it’s low enough and strong enough to slide all the way under a car and pick up on a center point, so you can lift the entire front or back end of the car in one step AND easily place jack stands where they’re supposed to be on each corner, instead of trying to finagle the jack somewhere far enough away from the lift points so that you can also slip a jack stand in there.

It’s been so convenient and such a joy to use that it’s motivated me to work on my vehicles more often!

Textured Soy Protein > Straightsix9904 11/03/2016 at 16:26

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I have the 1.5 ton Harbor Freight aluminum jack and have used it several times to raise a corner of my E92 335xi. You’re only ever supporting maybe half the weight of the car with a jack.

Not sure about the VW but for the BMW you should also get one of those metal hockey puck adapters that sits on the jack pad and fits into the factory jack point. I have one and it works perfect.

I still need to get around to doing something about proper jack stands for this car as my regular old Craftsman jack stands don’t properly mate to the BMW jack points.

facw > Straightsix9904 11/03/2016 at 16:27

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I have that one. Seems nice enough, and lifts the car just fine. wish it had an inch or two more of lift though.

Roadster Man > Straightsix9904 11/03/2016 at 16:43

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I’ve gone through two Harbor Freight jacks, one started to buckle on me and I immediately tossed it in the garbage. If you are familiar with their jacks, you’ll remember that you turn the handle to turn a little square thingy that locks out the hydraulics and lets you jack things up. The second one has totally rounded off the little square thing and the hole it goes into in the handle, making it a little bit sketchy. I would NOT recommend. Save up and buy a nice jack that will last you a while. It’s also worth it to spend a little more for safety.

Straightsix9904 > Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney 11/03/2016 at 16:49

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Yeah, oddly enough I still have my jack stands that will support the weight of my car. I think I’ve made up my mind....Like I said, I’ll probably only use it 10 times a year max.

Straightsix9904 > Textured Soy Protein 11/03/2016 at 16:53

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Ok, I’ve seen that pad. I didn’t even think about the jack stands not being “compatible”

Also, I’ve got the E90 335 xi, It has the n55, absolutely love the car

Bob Loblaw Made Me Make a Phoney Phone Call to Edward Rooney > Straightsix9904 11/03/2016 at 17:00

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I’m in the same boat. I’ve got jack stands coming out of my ears, but for some reason all of my decent jacks have slithered away and I’l left with a tiny, shitty little jack that I refuse to replace for some reason.

DynamicWeight > crowmolly 11/03/2016 at 17:06

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This is what I have and I second it. Never let’s me down. Barely makes it under the miata though that will get better once I replace the breaking windage tray that’s getting in the way.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Straightsix9904 11/03/2016 at 17:08

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I have nothing to add to everybody else’s replies, but I’m here to tell you to POAST MOAR.

Textured Soy Protein > Straightsix9904 11/03/2016 at 17:21

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You should also check to see if the little plastic jack point pads are still attached to your car. I bought the car used and it was missing the pads at all 4 corners. I bought new ones and used the adapter and jack to press them in to the frame rails.

So far I’ve only raised one corner of the car at a time to take a wheel off. Not put it on stands. To do that you need to use the center jacking point on either end of the car and lower it on to stands that will mate to the jack pads.

Straightsix9904 > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 11/03/2016 at 17:34

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Oh gosh, I know. Work blocked me from posting. So I can lurk.

traitor joe > Straightsix9904 11/03/2016 at 17:52

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Bang for your buck, lightweight, and will see minimal use? Get a scissor jack. That or save up for something nice. If you buy a cheap hydraulic jack you’re just asking for something to go wrong.

Decay buys too many beaters > Straightsix9904 11/03/2016 at 18:01

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I’d say jump to one of the steel ones, heavier but mine has endured 3 years of weekly usage.

hellriaser > Straightsix9904 11/03/2016 at 18:33

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The Costco 3 ton jack has served me well the one time I have used to so far. 99$ ain’t half bad either http://m.costco.com/3-Ton-Professional-Grade-Aluminum-And-Steel-Service-Jack.product.100222458.html

just-a-scratch > Straightsix9904 11/03/2016 at 19:43

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At your price range you can get a better jack in steel. Maybe the weight is more important to you.

Any way you go, try to get a jack that’s easy to open or close the valve when the handle is down. Some jacks have crappy heard that bind when misaligned like that.