Trolley Jack and Axle Stands

[xreyuk]

Hey guys,

I'm in the market for a trolley jack and set of axle stands. The only time I'll probably be doing anything with them is to do servicing on the car, so they probably won't get used too often, but at least a couple of times a year. I am planning on trying to attempt a few other things as well, such as brake pads/discs.

I was looking at these Axle stands at halfrauds, and wondered if they'd be good enough? http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

I was also looking for some advice on trolley jacks? I've heard that the machine mart ones are good (Clarke branded), and the halfords ones are also half decent. I also wondered, would it be worth paying a touch extra for the quick lift feature on the trolley jacks? (only a couple of quid mind).

Ideally, I wouldn't want to pay much, but also want to make sure what I'm using is pretty safe.

I have a Seat Leon 1.6TDI Ecomotive for those wondering.

[GC8]

Costco for jacks.

[Viperz888]

Just a few thoughts of mine as it sounds like I was in your situation about a year ago.

These style axle stands are better as the cups can rotate freeley from the base (useful when lifting onto chassis/outriggers)
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/...

Halfords stuff is fine, I have a fair bit of kit from them, but make sure you get hold of a trade card (thread running on this recently) as it will save you a small fortune on Halfords brand stuff, not much on other brands.

I dont like using quick lift jacks as I like to slowly guide exactly where the jack lifter is going on the car (need to be careful on rusty old Fords, but you may not have this problem as your car sounds new)

Cant speak for Clarke brand stuff.
HTH

[Perd Hapley]

I have the cheapest Clarke jack from Machine Mart. I've used it loads over the last couple of years and it's been really good. Doesn't have the quick lift feature but can't say I've ever missed it. I've found myself using it in all sorts of confined spaces so I'm glad I didn't buy a bigger one.

A lot of people on here swear by the aluminium Costco jacks, but they're about eighty quid and I'd need to be using it several times a day to justify spending that on a jack!

edit: This is my one.

Edited by Perd Hapley on Saturday 9th June 03:18

[GC8]

The alloy jack hasnt been available for ages. They have an excellent steel jack though.

[Spitfire2]

Viperz888 said:

These style axle stands are better as the cups can rotate freeley from the base (useful when lifting onto chassis/outriggers)

Eh? So how do you get the pin in if you've rotated the cup out of line with the base. The best kind are the ratchet ones IMO. Much more adjustment.

[Garvin]

Spitfire2 said:

Viperz888 said:

These style axle stands are better as the cups can rotate freeley from the base (useful when lifting onto chassis/outriggers)

Eh? So how do you get the pin in if you've rotated the cup out of line with the base. The best kind are the ratchet ones IMO. Much more adjustment.

There are two types - one has a screw threaded cup head which 'screws' out of the tube to allow fine adjustment of the height (usually a lot bigger/heavier type than these cheaper ones being looked at here); the other just allows the cup head to rotate within the tube.

I much prefer three legged axle stands as all three feet always do sit on the ground - all ground is not billiard table flat! I also prefer the rotating cups as, in conjunction with the three legged variety, you can always find a good position in tight spaces - prime example is trying to get under the front suspension bottom strut location when the wheel and tyre are still on!

[markbuck14]

I've got two clarke strong arm jacks, 1 three ton one two ton and ratchet stands. all bought from machine mart when they had a sale on. If you register with them on line they send you vouchers for vat free X% off etc. Think the jacks were about £90 each but far superior to the usual pressed steel budget items. The handles are twisted to lower the jack so no messing around taking handles off to unscrew release valves etc. Had them a couple of years now and, so far, 100% reliable.

[eltax91]

I have the folowing axle stands in the garage, I find these better than the "3 stage" one's as you get about a dozen different heights to use, much handier:-http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cax-3tbc-3-ton-axle-stands?da=1&TC=SRC-axle%20stands

I have this jack, which if you are not working on low-slung cars, is excellent. One tip, if you buy a metal cupped one, they can damage sills, so I bought a hockey puck on eBay to use as a pie key rubber cover:- http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/...

[Viperz888]

Spitfire2 said:

Eh? So how do you get the pin in if you've rotated the cup out of line with the base. The best kind are the ratchet ones IMO. Much more adjustment.

I've never used them on a higher setting than the very lowest where no pin is required, never needed to.