Halfords trolley jacks
Discussion
GC8 said:
Costco Arcam alloy and steel hybrid.
Nealio said:
Seconded. This thing is awesome.
Thirded. And I've had the Halfords one and the SGS one...caelite said:
Cheers lads, I really love the look of those aluminium units (the SGS and Costco ones) but really can't justify paying twice as much for a lightweight jack that will just sit in my shed, if it was for my car boot I would definitely consider it though.
The aluminium ones aren't any lighter - but they are much much much better built but barely heavier.
Op I bought a kit similar to the one you linked. I returned it the next day
The jack was utter s
te. I mean awful. My Tvr is pretty low (obviously) and even though I could get the jack under it I couldn't lift it due to so much vagueness in the handle. It has 60 degrees of movement but 15 degrees at either extreme do nothing. With it under my golf I had to use a long handle screwdriver for the first 15 pumps because the handle didn't have any effect, it didn't have enough room to take out the slack.
The Axle stands are great, just like any other ones and I've had another halfords set for 10 years and well used and abused.
But honestly, the jack is soooooo st it is the worst I've ever used. I would rather use a bottle jack.
The jack was utter s
te. I mean awful. My Tvr is pretty low (obviously) and even though I could get the jack under it I couldn't lift it due to so much vagueness in the handle. It has 60 degrees of movement but 15 degrees at either extreme do nothing. With it under my golf I had to use a long handle screwdriver for the first 15 pumps because the handle didn't have any effect, it didn't have enough room to take out the slack.The Axle stands are great, just like any other ones and I've had another halfords set for 10 years and well used and abused.
But honestly, the jack is soooooo s
t it is the worst I've ever used. I would rather use a bottle jack. I have a Clarke one from Machine Mart as do many people I go rallying with.
They do them in several sizes. This is the one I have and would buy another tomorrow if needed.
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-ctj1250ab-1...
If you can wait until the next bank holiday, they usually do a "VAT free" special on Bank Hols.
Bob
They do them in several sizes. This is the one I have and would buy another tomorrow if needed.
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-ctj1250ab-1...
If you can wait until the next bank holiday, they usually do a "VAT free" special on Bank Hols.
Bob
R11ysf said:
Op I bought a kit similar to the one you linked. I returned it the next day
The jack was utter ste. I mean awful. My Tvr is pretty low (obviously) and even though I could get the jack under it I couldn't lift it due to so much vagueness in the handle. It has 60 degrees of movement but 15 degrees at either extreme do nothing. With it under my golf I had to use a long handle screwdriver for the first 15 pumps because the handle didn't have any effect, it didn't have enough room to take out the slack.
The Axle stands are great, just like any other ones and I've had another halfords set for 10 years and well used and abused.
But honestly, the jack is soooooo st it is the worst I've ever used. I would rather use a bottle jack.
You'll probably find that air has got in the jack, this can happen when the release valve is left open.The jack was utter s
te. I mean awful. My Tvr is pretty low (obviously) and even though I could get the jack under it I couldn't lift it due to so much vagueness in the handle. It has 60 degrees of movement but 15 degrees at either extreme do nothing. With it under my golf I had to use a long handle screwdriver for the first 15 pumps because the handle didn't have any effect, it didn't have enough room to take out the slack.The Axle stands are great, just like any other ones and I've had another halfords set for 10 years and well used and abused.
But honestly, the jack is soooooo s
t it is the worst I've ever used. I would rather use a bottle jack. The instructions for my Arcon one say to bleed it, lift it up to full height with a >250KG weight on it, then let it drop and pump as it goes down, being careful to close the valve before it hits the bottom. Usually only takes a few pumps. Happened a couple of times.
Jakg said:
caelite said:
Cheers lads, I really love the look of those aluminium units (the SGS and Costco ones) but really can't justify paying twice as much for a lightweight jack that will just sit in my shed, if it was for my car boot I would definitely consider it though.
The aluminium ones aren't any lighter - but they are much much much better built but barely heavier.
Mine must be at least 30kg, but it's a very nice bit of kit.Jakg said:
You'll probably find that air has got in the jack, this can happen when the release valve is left open.
The instructions for my Arcon one say to bleed it, lift it up to full height with a >250KG weight on it, then let it drop and pump as it goes down, being careful to close the valve before it hits the bottom. Usually only takes a few pumps. Happened a couple of times.
Well it was brand new. I've experienced this before in cheap jacks but this was the worst ever. I only bought it as an emergency as my proper jack was at my mum's house.The instructions for my Arcon one say to bleed it, lift it up to full height with a >250KG weight on it, then let it drop and pump as it goes down, being careful to close the valve before it hits the bottom. Usually only takes a few pumps. Happened a couple of times.
On a side note I also took back the latex gloves which split the moment I put them on or very quickly after. Turns out they were for food hygiene!
Ooft, you guys arnt making it easy, those aluminium units look good. Although I'd really want something rated for at least 2 ton, my only car currently is an Mx5 but I do like to dabble in ropey 4x4s. However all the aluminium 2+ ton units go into the £100+ price range which really is too much for me considering I was initially looking at a £35 Halfords unit with some tat thrown in.
EazyDuz said:
lickatysplit said:
. I always try and fit the wheel(s) I've taken off under the car just for added insurance but nothing has given me the slightest doubt yet
Thats dumb, if the car falls it will ruin your wheels.Just pay the £20 and get some axle stands.
"I've got the trolley jack and axle stands from Halfords and never been let down yet. I always try and fit the wheel(s) I've taken off under the car just for added insurance but nothing has given me the slightest doubt yet"
He has.
caelite said:
Ooft, you guys arnt making it easy, those aluminium units look good. Although I'd really want something rated for at least 2 ton, my only car currently is an Mx5 but I do like to dabble in ropey 4x4s. However all the aluminium 2+ ton units go into the £100+ price range which really is too much for me considering I was initially looking at a £35 Halfords unit with some tat thrown in.
I bought the lifting kit you've linked to.Creeper is useless - the jack and stands don't get the car anywhere near enough for that to be a practical work space
The stands are good - but they are £15 for a set anyway
The jack isn't great - while lifting half a 1.6 ton saloon (MG ZT) it bent to the side such that the arm fouled on the legs when coming down and I couldn't get the car off the jack. Yes, I got a refund - but a jack is a serious safety item. Not worth risking.
I bought an SGS one, it was better built in most areas - except one, where it broke (design flaw). They told me to get stuffed, basically.
Jakg said:
I bought the lifting kit you've linked to.
Creeper is useless - the jack and stands don't get the car anywhere near enough for that to be a practical work space
The stands are good - but they are £15 for a set anyway
The jack isn't great - while lifting half a 1.6 ton saloon (MG ZT) it bent to the side such that the arm fouled on the legs when coming down and I couldn't get the car off the jack. Yes, I got a refund - but a jack is a serious safety item. Not worth risking.
I bought an SGS one, it was better built in most areas - except one, where it broke (design flaw). They told me to get stuffed, basically.
Ooft, might just go for the Halfords one then, at least they have a good reputation for warranty support provided you file your receipt somewhere. Creeper is useless - the jack and stands don't get the car anywhere near enough for that to be a practical work space
The stands are good - but they are £15 for a set anyway
The jack isn't great - while lifting half a 1.6 ton saloon (MG ZT) it bent to the side such that the arm fouled on the legs when coming down and I couldn't get the car off the jack. Yes, I got a refund - but a jack is a serious safety item. Not worth risking.
I bought an SGS one, it was better built in most areas - except one, where it broke (design flaw). They told me to get stuffed, basically.
motco said:
Jakg said:
... it bent to the side such that the arm fouled on the legs when coming down and I couldn't get the car off the jack. Yes, I got a refund - but a jack is a serious safety item. Not worth risking.
My ten year old Halford's cheapie does that - bloody annoying!I even maneuvered an 1800kg car (carefully) across 20m of block paving, supporting the front N/S after a suspension collapse. No ill effects.
Krikkit said:
Jakg said:
caelite said:
Cheers lads, I really love the look of those aluminium units (the SGS and Costco ones) but really can't justify paying twice as much for a lightweight jack that will just sit in my shed, if it was for my car boot I would definitely consider it though.
The aluminium ones aren't any lighter - but they are much much much better built but barely heavier. Mine must be at least 30kg, but it's a very nice bit of kit.Gassing Station | Home Mechanics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff