Floor jacks

General chat that fellow COM'ers may be interested in.
Post Reply
User avatar
Mick
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 1088
Joined: Sat Oct 08, 2005 2:55 pm

Floor jacks

Post by Mick » Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:35 pm

My Crafstman 4000 lb jack had been giving me trouble and finally broke. From what I’ve been reading, that model had been plagued with quality problems from the start. In the feedback on their site people are just railing on it. I wish I had seen this before I bought mine.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... yword=jack
It’s too bad because I really liked the jack when it worked. It was light, fit under my car, and was reasonable priced.

Apparently, they’ve stopped production on that model and have introduced a new one with internals from a different manufacturer.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... yword=jack
Anyone seen or used one this new one?
I’m *considering picking one up. I know, I know, I’m a glutton for punishment. But it’s got a higher capacity and costs more, so it must be better right? :roll: Plus it looks cool, look at those racing stripes on the side...

Any other recommendations?

SSNH
Speed Setter
Speed Setter
Posts: 177
Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2005 3:07 pm

Re: Floor jacks

Post by SSNH » Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:06 pm

Mick wrote:Any other recommendations?
http://www.apracing.com/car/airjacks/index.htm

CP
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 524
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:19 pm
Location: West Simsbury, CT

Post by CP » Wed Jan 30, 2008 3:35 pm

I've been happy with my aluminum China special from Costco for $99. Been using it almost daily for the last 6 months with nary a hiccup. However it's not going to fit under the front spoiler for much longer when I install the SM suspension...
-Cy
99 Spec Miata (SM/STU/STL/EP)
2011, 2013, 2014 NER STU Champion

bhoss
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 132
Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2005 8:26 pm

Post by bhoss » Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:36 pm

I had the same problem with the same Sears jack. It was past its one year warrenty so I called the General Manager of Sears in Natick, told him my sad story, also told him that I had done quite a bit of research on the web on this jack and that it was ovbiously defective design - in fact the feedback on sears's own web site was damning evidence.

I told him I was going to the BBB to lodge a complaint - he transferred me the the Manager of Tools and the agreeded to swap it out at no cost for the new style jack - to top it off I went in and exchanged it without the reciept.

Call Sears - make some noise, let them know you want a replacementment - no matter how old it is.
Bill Hosselbarth
COM Secretary 2011
1994 Mazda Miata
#49 PC

User avatar
boltonite
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 504
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2005 12:18 pm
Location: Bolton

$70 racing jack

Post by boltonite » Wed Jan 30, 2008 4:52 pm

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=91039

Buy two of these .. or for $500+ get a nice racing jack (e.g., like this one). The only caveat is to check and tighten (or loctite) the allen bolts, esp the wheels. If you are patient, these jacks are often discounted to ~$69, almost disposable at that price.
FF
Last edited by boltonite on Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Mick
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 1088
Joined: Sat Oct 08, 2005 2:55 pm

Post by Mick » Wed Jan 30, 2008 6:21 pm

Bill, Thanks for the advice I'll give that a try. I probably still have the receipt somewhere. I've only had it for about 14 months.
How do you like the new model?

Fred, I've heard people have had luck with the Harbor Freight Jacks. The only one I've seen in person is Troy V's. The first time he used it one of the wheels broke off. Granted, his Cobra weighs 5 million pounds, but that experience always put me off. ..You do have a point though, at that price I could buy 4 of them.

offcamber09
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 1014
Joined: Wed Jun 01, 2005 6:44 pm
Location: East Kingston, NH
Contact:

Post by offcamber09 » Wed Jan 30, 2008 10:39 pm

Mick wrote:Bill, Thanks for the advice I'll give that a try. I probably still have the receipt somewhere. I've only had it for about 14 months.
How do you like the new model?

Fred, I've heard people have had luck with the Harbor Freight Jacks. The only one I've seen in person is Troy V's. The first time he used it one of the wheels broke off. Granted, his Cobra weighs 5 million pounds, but that experience always put me off. ..You do have a point though, at that price I could buy 4 of them.
I had good luck with the Harbor freight for 2 or 3 years, then it developed a loud clicking sound as it started to sink very slowly. As Fred stated, I disposed of it. I've had this so called defective Craftsman for 2 years with no problems- yet.
Scott Rosnick
#09 BMW 318ti-6

Scooter70
Rookie Racer
Rookie Racer
Posts: 82
Joined: Thu Jan 25, 2007 12:19 am
Location: Detroit, MI
Contact:

Re: $70 racing jack

Post by Scooter70 » Wed Jan 30, 2008 10:41 pm

boltonite wrote:http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=91039

Buy two of these .. or for $500+ get a nice racing jack. The only caveat is to check and tighten (or loctite) the allen bolts, esp the wheels. If you are patient, these jacks are often discounted to ~$69, almost disposable at that price.
FF
I've broken the rear casters on my HF jack at least 3 times in the last few years. The shank of the attaching bolt breaks right at the bottom. It's easy to replace and costs less than $10 but it took a while to get them the last time I ordered them. For the price, it can't really be beat. I would just make sure to have a few extra casters on hand for when they break.
2001 Corvette Z06
2005 Pontiac GTO LS2/T56 ST1 #52 (sold)
1970 Corvette LS1/T56 ex-SSGT (sold too)

http://www.kmmotorsports.com

APD
Rookie Driver
Rookie Driver
Posts: 17
Joined: Thu Nov 16, 2006 11:13 am
Location: Newton, MA
Contact:

Post by APD » Thu Jan 31, 2008 11:54 am

In 2007 I bought the RFJ-3000AL as seen here. Held up very well through the 2nd half of the COM season.
'91 Sentra
Hey, where'd my turbo go?!?!

User avatar
StephanAlfa
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 1646
Joined: Tue Jun 27, 2006 6:01 am
Location: Merrimack, NH

Post by StephanAlfa » Thu Jan 31, 2008 1:53 pm

I have my HF "aluminum racing special" and I am extremely pleased with it. Granted my car is light _ :shock: _er than some Pontiacs and US Iron monsters 8)
Sometimes similar deals for these jack can be found on Advanced Auto Parts (saves you on shipping when there's no promo).
Bonne chance!

User avatar
ctkag
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 227
Joined: Mon Oct 10, 2005 11:29 am

Post by ctkag » Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:33 pm

The Costco jack looked decent - though it felt a bit heavier than my Craftsman aluminum jack. Brunnhoezl jacks are fabulous - but waaay pricey.
-Keith-

SPB116

TroyV
Administrator
Administrator
Posts: 1522
Joined: Thu Jan 12, 2006 3:02 pm
Location: Salem, NH
Contact:

Post by TroyV » Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:41 pm

Mick wrote:Bill, Thanks for the advice I'll give that a try. I probably still have the receipt somewhere. I've only had it for about 14 months.
How do you like the new model?

Fred, I've heard people have had luck with the Harbor Freight Jacks. The only one I've seen in person is Troy V's. The first time he used it one of the wheels broke off. Granted, his Cobra weighs 5 million pounds, but that experience always put me off. ..You do have a point though, at that price I could buy 4 of them.
I remember that. That wheel got hung up in a rut in the pavement and tore off. I bought a replacement wheel, and have been jacking on smoother surfaces.. I haven't had a single issue with it since.

...and my car doesn't weigh 5 million pounds. Quit rounding up! :)
Troy Velazquez
#5 T50

User avatar
John F
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 325
Joined: Thu Sep 06, 2007 1:56 pm
Location: Dartmouth, Ma

Post by John F » Thu Jan 31, 2008 10:20 pm

That is the same jack as the $80 Harbor Freight jack with different paint. HF only rates it to 3000 pounds. Mine has been working fine since I got it in 03. It's the only one that fits under my Factory 5.
John F
#167 SA FFR roadster

CP
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 524
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:19 pm
Location: West Simsbury, CT

Post by CP » Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:37 pm

Make that $90 for the Costco AL jack, not $99
-Cy
99 Spec Miata (SM/STU/STL/EP)
2011, 2013, 2014 NER STU Champion

agrabau
Speed Racer
Speed Racer
Posts: 278
Joined: Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:19 pm
Location: Boston

Post by agrabau » Sun Feb 03, 2008 10:02 pm

Mick, since no one's mentioned it I thought I'd suggest the AC floor Jack. We've been using ours every day for 5 years and it hasn't missed a beat.

http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part ... bdb0ea985c

The Sears jack lasted 1 week for comparison.

It's $400 bucks but it will be the last jack you buy. The piston is made by Koni.

Alex
Alex Grabau
BMW E30 M3 FIA GR.H

Post Reply

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Bing [Bot] and 1 guest