Floor Jacks

aahmes57 · Post by **aahmes57** » 01 Feb 2011, 12:18

I'm not sure if this is the apropriate section but I was wondering if anyone out there has had any luck with parts and repair of hydralic floor jacks?

I found a fairly good size one the other day, It will jack up with me on it (165 lbs) but it said no way to the car.

I looked on line but they just have the regular how to, check the oil and bleed the air. Is that all there is?

Still waiting for parts so I have to find something to do.

Thanks for your imput.

Post by **JDS60R** » 01 Feb 2011, 12:36

Throw it out.
A jack is a hydraulic ram and a piece of safety equipment. If you are not skilled in repairing high pressure hydraulics then throw it out.

A jack is a safety item and may be the only thing that can lift a car off of you in an emergency. You don't want one you can't trust. Even then you need jack stands to assure some measure of safety.

They are so cheap - just buy a new one. Do a few oil changes for the neighbors and it will be paid off.

aahmes57 · Post by **aahmes57** » 01 Feb 2011, 13:21

I'll take your advice and scrap it for metal. I was under the impression they were easily repairable.
I only use timbers now to support a vehicle. A jack is only used to get the timber under.

Thank for the response.

Post by **jimmy57** » 01 Feb 2011, 17:35

If the jack is a 40 year old Hein-Warner Ingersoll-Rand then it is made of stuff that doesn't rust so readily in important places.
AND those have repair kits available. The newer jacks don't tolerate getting wet and the cylinder rusts and it's done.
Go to Northern Tool. They have a great 3 ton model that has low clearance and high lift range too. It's $159 but it goes on sale often for $129.

Post by **jblackburn** » 01 Feb 2011, 19:43

I miss my 15-yr old Craftsman jack, but it stopped holding pressure after I started using it again a lot.

I found a decent one at Harbor Freight for $60 on sale that fits under my car pretty well, with a 3 ton capacity.

Stay away from the $30 models - I used one all of twice and the seals blew out as I got it high up and my car came down in a big thud.

aahmes57 · Post by **aahmes57** » 02 Feb 2011, 07:22

It's a mess up here in the NE as I'm sure it is in many other states. I thought they were easily repairable. Guess not. Maybe I can cannibalize it for some parts. The gear teeth are in good shape. Not sure what kind of jack it is yet. I bought one at harbor freight for 50 bucks but it struggles to lift the hole end of a car or truck (3000lbs). I guess I needed a bigger one.
I'll eventually find a good garage jack. I've seen them on a GSA auction site before.

I will check that one out at Northern tool. Thanks

Thanks