need advice on a new racing jack

[Chris]

so my harbor freight (US General) jack finally blew a seal a while ago and doesn't work. I thought about looking into getting it repaired, but I doubt its worth the money.

Has anyone had good luck with a lightweight racing jack? I need it to be at least 3000 lbs, but 4000+ would be better now that I use it sometimes on the 4Runner. It should have a max lift of 18" or more, and I would like to stay around $200.

Here are ones I'm considering:

This Sears one has mixed reviews. My dad has one, but doesn't use (abuse) it like I do.

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950239000P?mv=cf&vName=Tools&cName=Mechanics+Tools&sbf=Brand&sbv=Craftsman">http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1260 ... =Craftsman</a><!-- m -->

This looks like the next step up from the one I have:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92782">http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=92782</a><!-- m -->



Haven't seen these before, but they are a little more expensive:

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.asedeals.com/aluminum_jack.html">http://www.asedeals.com/aluminum_jack.html</a><!-- m -->



Is this one a joke or the real thing?

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.jackstoolshed.zoovy.com/product/CMT-40527?meta=FRG&utm_source=GBASE&utm_medium=CPC&utm_content=&utm_campaign=">http://www.jackstoolshed.zoovy.com/prod ... _campaign=</a><!-- m -->


Another consideration:
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[NTIman]

Just go out and buy a Brunhoetzl single pump like the NASCAR teams use.

Sure, it may be expensive, but hey, it'd be badass.

[Maengelito]

Did it really blow a seal or do you just need to bleed the air out of it? Mine was getting kinda bad at lifting stuff a few years back and I bled the air out of it and since then its been working great again. I've had the thing for like 6 years now with that only incident.

[kcook]

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/mtn5015.html">http://www.sjdiscounttools.com/mtn5015.html</a><!-- m --> just picked this up, ive had 2 craftsman jacks and they both failed

[xvxax]

The Craftsman racing jack has a 2 year rule associated with it, 2 years and they break. For $109, I think I will spend more for something better next time.

The most annoying part about low profile jacks is they have a low jack point, but they are way taller at the rear so unless you jack from the rockers, its pointless. I jack up from my subframes, so I have to use phone books. HELLA ANNOYING BRO.

[.RJ]

but they are way taller at the rear so unless you jack from the rockers, its pointless. I jack up from my subframes, so I have to use phone books.

Cut up some 2x6 squares and drive on to them - problem solved

[Maengelito]

but they are way taller at the rear so unless you jack from the rockers, its pointless. I jack up from my subframes, so I have to use phone books.

Cut up some 2x6 squares and drive on to them - problem solved

You can also use old brake rotors. I just put them down on the ground and drive up on them. It gets me just enough clearance to slide my jack under.

[.RJ]

Old brake rotors... brilliant :lol:

[Maengelito]

only problem is if you're on smooth concrete, they can slide if you dont hit them with enough speed.

[xvxax]

2x6's slide too, I have used plywood cut into "stairs" with grip tape on the bottom, but then I have to preplan where my car will sit in the garage. Basically I'm just here to bitch.

[Chris]

Did it really blow a seal or do you just need to bleed the air out of it? Mine was getting kinda bad at lifting stuff a few years back and I bled the air out of it and since then its been working great again. I've had the thing for like 6 years now with that only incident.

so if there was oil all over the ground from the jack, I probably blew a seal, right?

how do you bleed the jack, I should at least try that.

[JustinG]

I got the Costco aluminum jack and I love it.

[Ole]

Costco jack has worked reliably for me for the past 4 years in grass, dirt, gravel etc.

[Maengelito]

Did it really blow a seal or do you just need to bleed the air out of it? Mine was getting kinda bad at lifting stuff a few years back and I bled the air out of it and since then its been working great again. I've had the thing for like 6 years now with that only incident.

so if there was oil all over the ground from the jack, I probably blew a seal, right?

how do you bleed the jack, I should at least try that.

its possible you blew a seal. To bleed the jack, I took the little bolt out where the oil goes in and put more oil in. I then pumped it providing resistance for the arm to go up. I saw bubbles coming out of the hole where the oil went in and continued to do that until I didnt see any more bubbles. I dont know if thats the proper way but its worked for me.

[D_Eclipse9916]

+1 for costco jack.

Mine has been going strong for 5 years. My friends husky jack just blew out after half a year.

[Chris]

so is this the Costco jack?

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11186866&search=jack&Mo=12&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=jack&Ntt=jack&No=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1">http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.as ... opnav=&s=1</a><!-- m -->


I have seen a few of these Torin brand jacks and haven't been impressed. I hope there is another one I'm missing.

[Mike]

so is this the Costco jack?

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11186866&search=jack&Mo=12&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=jack&Ntt=jack&No=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1">http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.as ... opnav=&s=1</a><!-- m -->


I have seen a few of these Torin brand jacks and haven't been impressed. I hope there is another one I'm missing.

that's the same as a harbor freight... just a different sticker on it.

[Chris]

Did it really blow a seal or do you just need to bleed the air out of it? Mine was getting kinda bad at lifting stuff a few years back and I bled the air out of it and since then its been working great again. I've had the thing for like 6 years now with that only incident.

so if there was oil all over the ground from the jack, I probably blew a seal, right?

how do you bleed the jack, I should at least try that.

its possible you blew a seal. To bleed the jack, I took the little bolt out where the oil goes in and put more oil in. I then pumped it providing resistance for the arm to go up. I saw bubbles coming out of the hole where the oil went in and continued to do that until I didnt see any more bubbles. I dont know if thats the proper way but its worked for me.

thanks Maeng. I knew it wasn't that hard, just never took the time to see how to bleed it. I'll give this a try and see what it does.

[Chris]

well I bought a new jack today from harbor freight. I found a store 7 miles from my apartment and damn that place is a money pit. good news- jack was listed for $200 online, but rang up as $160 in the store!

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92782">http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/d ... mber=92782</a><!-- m -->


I'll try and fix the old jack first, but I'll prob. keep this new one since it can lift 1000lbs more.


Anyone want my old jack for cheap? Maybe you can fix it...