Suggestions for a decent trolley jack
Discussion
As above - would like to see the Panel's suggestions for a decent trolley-jack to suit light cars and an amateur like me.
Yes, I've already accumulated two of those standard design (they're always red, aren't they?) trolley-jacks which you can see retailed all over the place (at Halfords, et al). Those heavy lumps whose out-of-copyright design appears as ubiquitous as an AK 47 does in Afghan and are presumably churned-out in not dissimilar workshops.
But since neither of them now work, this time I'd like to buy one that will last.
A jack of all trades, I'd say. One that won't cost me much (natch'...) but that can actually offer me enough lift to outrun your normal car's degrees of suspension-droop - by which I mean at least manage to lift a car off its wheels, say? One that won't lose all its pressure within eighteen months of purchase, either...
Because I've been on U-Tube and learnt how to rebuild & replace that rubber 'O' ring which seems to be the Achilles Heel of all these devices (their metal bodies will, of course, last another 2000 years in the ground...) but - in terms of more lift - the results of my efforts still remain pathetic.
Oh, and it's got to be a low-rider too, to get under the more sporty kinds of car. (And ideally a lightweight, like me).
And, yes, I've already looked at that blue alloy £116-er which Machine Mart currently retail, but have read some bad stuff online about its wheels falling off. Not to mention losing all its pressure within eighteen months of purchase....
So the Panel's suggestions are respectfully invited.
(Did I mention 'cheap", too?)
Yes, I've already accumulated two of those standard design (they're always red, aren't they?) trolley-jacks which you can see retailed all over the place (at Halfords, et al). Those heavy lumps whose out-of-copyright design appears as ubiquitous as an AK 47 does in Afghan and are presumably churned-out in not dissimilar workshops.
But since neither of them now work, this time I'd like to buy one that will last.
A jack of all trades, I'd say. One that won't cost me much (natch'...) but that can actually offer me enough lift to outrun your normal car's degrees of suspension-droop - by which I mean at least manage to lift a car off its wheels, say? One that won't lose all its pressure within eighteen months of purchase, either...
Because I've been on U-Tube and learnt how to rebuild & replace that rubber 'O' ring which seems to be the Achilles Heel of all these devices (their metal bodies will, of course, last another 2000 years in the ground...) but - in terms of more lift - the results of my efforts still remain pathetic.
Oh, and it's got to be a low-rider too, to get under the more sporty kinds of car. (And ideally a lightweight, like me).
And, yes, I've already looked at that blue alloy £116-er which Machine Mart currently retail, but have read some bad stuff online about its wheels falling off. Not to mention losing all its pressure within eighteen months of purchase....
So the Panel's suggestions are respectfully invited.
(Did I mention 'cheap", too?)
I've got a Clarke steel one that is quite low profile. its got quite a large pad on it too.
The problem with it is its a twist the handle to release type. When its got weight on it this is difficult to do, you do have to apply a fairly amount of effort to get it to turn, which then results in it releasing suddenly, which means the car then plummets to the floor. I thought it would get easier as it ages, it has not.
I've also got a Sealey, much smaller pad and doesn't go as low as the clarke, however its better engineered, its got the usual twist valve to release it, which is no effort at all and works very smoothly. I forget how much I paid exactly, but it was a fair bit less than the Clarke one.
The problem with it is its a twist the handle to release type. When its got weight on it this is difficult to do, you do have to apply a fairly amount of effort to get it to turn, which then results in it releasing suddenly, which means the car then plummets to the floor. I thought it would get easier as it ages, it has not.
I've also got a Sealey, much smaller pad and doesn't go as low as the clarke, however its better engineered, its got the usual twist valve to release it, which is no effort at all and works very smoothly. I forget how much I paid exactly, but it was a fair bit less than the Clarke one.
Scrump said:
My Sealey jack did not last long.
The Arcan low profile alloy Jack from Costco has been much more durable.
My Arcan one was great but died recently.The Arcan low profile alloy Jack from Costco has been much more durable.
I bought a Sealey one which is very similar, I even used a spare seal kit for it to repair my Arcan.
Specifically, I bought a Sealey RJAS2500 at £115.
Bear in mind that this class of jack is much heavier than the cheap ones - even my lighter aluminium one is 26KG, the steel ones much more.
Mine lives in the shed at the end of the garden and it's not fun carrying it around.
These Halfords ones are perfectly serviceable, and only £40 with a trade card:
https://www.halfords.com/tools/garage-workshop/axl...
https://www.halfords.com/tools/garage-workshop/axl...
I purchased one of these to get under my Gallardo. Very well put together and does the job superbly.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154107554546
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154107554546
I have the motamec which is brilliant.
https://www.motamec.com/motamec-tools/pit-rally-eq...
I also have a sealey and a halfords own.
Make sure you use axle stands.
https://www.motamec.com/motamec-tools/pit-rally-eq...
I also have a sealey and a halfords own.
Make sure you use axle stands.
I have an Arcan one from Costco, low entry, double piston, certainly not lightweight in its build, as its bloody heavy to lift, been impressed with it.
Just checked, its 35kilo so sturdy, but yes out of stock currently.
https://www.costco.co.uk/Tyres-Automotive/Garage/T...
Just checked, its 35kilo so sturdy, but yes out of stock currently.
https://www.costco.co.uk/Tyres-Automotive/Garage/T...
Edited by rigga on Saturday 1st May 22:10
BobsPigeon said:
p4cks said:
Some will recommend SGS Engineering although I found the quality of them appalling. Thankfully though you can get away with putting it in your standard wheelie bin
I'll second that.Belle427 said:
Surprised to hear the sgs stuff being slated, I've used one of theirs for a good few years lifting all sorts and it's been fine.
Sealey I wouldn't touch with a bargepole.
Machine mart is probably your safest bet.
Agree, have had no problems with their stuff, but the 2 sealey jacks Ive bought have both been bad for creeping down in use and back up service from them has been a total waste of time. Sealey I wouldn't touch with a bargepole.
Machine mart is probably your safest bet.
You can’t guarantee quality even if you want to spend extra nowadays. Everyone has sold out. The best Jack’s £ for £, were the old arcan 3 tonne xl jacks from Costco. I got mine in 2009 it’s never missed a beat. They were so good all the smart repair guys/ mobile mechanics got them, and to my knowledge they just don’t wear out probably because they weigh a lot! . I think at some point the quality went downhill, because for the newer ones, there were issues.
Quattromaster said:
BobsPigeon said:
p4cks said:
Some will recommend SGS Engineering although I found the quality of them appalling. Thankfully though you can get away with putting it in your standard wheelie bin
I'll second that.I bought a jack and it failed, but their support was useless.
The handle of the jack broke off because the little metal clip that held it together looked like it was off a coke can.
They said I'd have to pay £20 to send it back, and then maybe it'd be repaired. Or maybe not. The jack was only £40 in the first place... hence I splashed out on a fancy Arcan one.
And when that broke I bought a Sealey one because they sell spares for all their jacks, hence I got a pair of pistons, seals and caps with change from £10.
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