[megapixel]

Hi

Austinpike's how-to post about getting your car up on jackstands prompted me to ask this question... it was (sorry for almost hijacking!) OT, so I'm posing here.

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good, affordable hydraulic jack? I had a craftsman (black/yellow - older than the one pictured), but it crapped out on me. I found out that it was not covered by Craftsman's famous "lifetime" warranty.

Jack Model and Place of Purchase? Sears is where I'm leaning...

[upncummr]

Bought this one last year @ Sears. It works perfectly.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...cemldffidfmm.0

Speedy-Lift™ design: only 2 pumps bring the saddle to the chassis. Aluminum lightweight construction means jack weighs less than 44 lbs. Lifts from 3-3/4 in. to 18-1/2 in.

• 3 pc. welded aluminum lifting arm for additional strength and durability
• Low-profile design for low pick-up accessibility
• Handy magnetized tray keeps lug nuts and parts close at hand
• Push button two-piece handle for convenient storage
• Side and rear handle make for easy carrying

Gary

[eXstasy]

I found out that Craftsman covers everything with their lifetime warranty EXCEPT for torque wrenches and hydraulic jacks, which should have at least a 1 yr warranty.

I just ended up buying another Craftsman though. It is the same exact one that upncummr posted above, also from Sears.

[megapixel]

Originally Posted by eXstasy

I found out that Craftsman covers everything with their lifetime warranty EXCEPT for torque wrenches and hydraulic jacks, which should have at least a 1 yr warranty.

Yeah, that's exactly what I found out.... *after* my jack died.... I had always assumed that all craftsman stuff was fully covered, now I know better.

Thanks for the input!

[megapixel]

Also, according to reviews on sears.com, that jack suffers from the same issue my old craftsman jack had... lost pressure after only a few uses... Any other recommendations? (like NOT a craftsman jack maybe?)

[xrocket21]

Originally Posted by megapixel

Also, according to reviews on sears.com, that jack suffers from the same issue my old craftsman jack had... lost pressure after only a few uses... Any other recommendations? (like NOT a craftsman jack maybe?)

really??? My jack did that after like 3 uses! i returned it and got another. I read the manual this time, and it was due to not bleeding it when I first got it home.

[austinpike]

My first one crapped out after a couple years, but I got lucky and they replaced it anyway.

Costco, Harbor Freight, Northern Tool all sell similar aluminum jacks for a bit less $.

[megapixel]

Originally Posted by xrocket21

really??? My jack did that after like 3 uses! i returned it and got another. I read the manual this time, and it was due to not bleeding it when I first got it home.

Hey! Maybe that's why mine and so many other's have crapped out so easily!!! Always helps to read the damn manual.

[NewGenSTi]

I picked up a michellin 3 1/2 ton at sams club for $65 thing is built like a tank, has speedy lift and seems to work better than my crappy old craftsman did

[kungura]

I bought a generic one from a autozone, and it's the smaller kind, but as i lift the car up, the wheels under the jack dont move it as the car is being raised, so it pulls the under lining of the car outwards... like bending the metal under the car because the jack wont move in... needless to say i stopped using it...

[Good2Go]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94629

Harbour Freight FTW!

[upncummr]

If you're interested in a high-quality hydraulic jack and don't mind paying a bit more than average (alright maybe quite a bit more) there's:

http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog....3030&SKU=77739

http://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/p...roducts_id=864

Gary

[nonissan]

i have the craftsman one, and i can't get to my front crossmember without driving up on blocks first. i'm thinking of taking it back for that reason because i'm also thinking of dropping the car a little. does anybody have any suggestions for one of these jacks that don't require you to roll up on blocks first (esp. when lowered with a lip...)? from what i've heard, the harbor freight one has better clearance than the craftsman one.

thanks,

tim

[emanteno]

Originally Posted by nonissan

i have the craftsman one, and i can't get to my front crossmember without driving up on blocks first. i'm thinking of taking it back for that reason because i'm also thinking of dropping the car a little. does anybody have any suggestions for one of these jacks that don't require you to roll up on blocks first (esp. when lowered with a lip...)? from what i've heard, the harbor freight one has better clearance than the craftsman one.

thanks,

tim

Tim,

If you want to try the Harbor Freight before you buy, I've got one.

[nonissan]

Originally Posted by emanteno

Tim,

If you want to try the Harbor Freight before you buy, I've got one.

cool, is that what we used at my house? what are your opinions on clearances with your lip?