Using axle stands and hydro jacks

[Gooly]

Hi guys,

I've got a "big red" jack and axle stands set from halfords, seems decent enough. Anyway, when jacking the car up and putting the axle stands under, I can't seem to figure out a smooth way to actually let the car onto the stands? When I open the jack valve it just lets go straight away effectively dropping the car onto the stand which can't be good, and the same when taking the axle stands off, which is probably even worse as I'm essentially dropping the car from a good foot straight onto the ground. There must be a better way to do this? How do you guys do it?

[kambites]

You should be able to open the jack valve partially so the jack drops quite gently.

[Gooly]

Hmm, did try to last time but it might be just me being cack handed then. Will try that next time.

[BliarOut]

The trick is to crack it open then nip it back up then slowly release the pressure

Practice lifting and lowering before you use the jacks. Top tip, if you take wheels off place them under the sills as an additional safety measure.

[jimxms]

The Halfords jack is very on/off when releasing the valve, but if you're really careful when you crack it back open it should be possible to drop the car slowly.

I tend to drop the car onto the stands, but also leave the jack pumped up touching the sils just in case the stands give way, or I need to jack the car back up in an extreme emergency.

EDIT: And I just remembered that when I first got my jack I didn't realise that the jacking bar was also the valve release tool. So instead I used a pair of mole grips to release the valve. Ironically these offered much greater granuality (sp?) in releasing the valve than using bar.

Edited by jimxms on Tuesday 11th December 09:31

[v8250]

Where jack is new it needs a little bedding-in; they're often like this. If you know what you're doing check hydraulic oil is topped up - if not don't! Put some spray grease over external cogs/mechanism and work-in. This should free up jack stickiness. They do get better over time.

[TheTurbonator]

My Halfords jack is the same and has been for the 6 years I've had it. It is possible to lower it a little more gently, if you turn the release valve very very slowly. Also don't turn it until it begins to lower, as by then it's too late and it will just drop. Instead leave a slight pause after every little turn and see how it behaves.

[Davie]

Perhaps it's just me, but my jacks always seem worse when it's cold. Anyways, I digress... I don't use the handle to release then, a small shifter or a pair of pliers offers way more control and stops the inevitable 'nothing, nothing, nothing, slam into the tarmac' situation.

[S0 What]

thats why decent jacks cost more i guess?
my 50 year old bradbury is as sweet as a nut to use in all temps.

[kambites]

S0 What said:

thats why decent jacks cost more i guess?
my 50 year old bradbury is as sweet as a nut to use in all temps.

So's my cheap Clarke jobby, although that's only about ten years old.