Does anyone else think our stock jack just plain sucks?
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,782
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From: Orlando, FL
Does anyone else think our stock jack just plain sucks?
I've heard from other G owners in the past complaining about the weakness of the factory scissor jack. I thought it would never happen to me until yesterday when I wanted to check the pad/rotor life of my rear brakes, I jack the car up, went to my trunk to get my work gloves, and all of a sudden, the car shifted out of the jack position and dropped to the ground. I found out that the scissor jack is slightly bent, and there's no way I can close up the jack as the bent threaded rod prevents it from happening. Yep, this jack is completely useless 
So what is a recommendation for a good strong jack for changing tires, checking/servicing brakes, etc.? Right now I'm using the jack from my other car (Corolla) but of course that's not gonna last long
So what is a recommendation for a good strong jack for changing tires, checking/servicing brakes, etc.? Right now I'm using the jack from my other car (Corolla) but of course that's not gonna last long
Yes...stock jack sucks! I've only used it once when I first got my car. I typically do all the work/modding on my G (always swapping wheels) so I got one of the alluminum craftsman jacks. We also do alot of DIY days at my house so that jack has more than paid for itself 10 fold.
On top of my big floor jack, I have this set:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950138000P
That will let you do pretty much whatever you want, and it's relatively small.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950138000P
That will let you do pretty much whatever you want, and it's relatively small.
wow, that sucks to hear that happen, good thing you werent under it, i used the jack only once since owning the car, and damn i hate that little compartment in the trunk, it takes me longer to put the jack back in place then it did to change my wheels...
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What's the best way to rotate tires though? I did it last month by jacking up one side of the car (factory jack in front and hydralic jack lift on the rear under that round suspension metal thing). Then just quickly swap the tires around. I did have doubts about the factory jack but it worked out.
I have a hydralic jack and two jack stands but didn't use the jack stands.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950138000P
I have a hydralic jack and two jack stands but didn't use the jack stands.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950138000P
Originally Posted by 8ROOKLYN
wow, that sucks to hear that happen, good thing you werent under it, i used the jack only once since owning the car, and damn i hate that little compartment in the trunk, it takes me longer to put the jack back in place then it did to change my wheels...
+1. Though I have used mine several times without a problem. The problem with scissors jack is that they are so slender, you have to make sure it's completely straight before you apply weight to it or it will slip. i hate them too and will definitely invest in another floor jack.
Remember that the jacks in most every car is strictly an emergency jack and is not intended for multiple uses. The jack should not be used for maintenance and especially any activity that involves getting any portion of your body under the car.
I've had numerous jacks over the years. I had one of those 3 ton Craftsman low profile jacks and it was an utter POS. The reliability of those jacks is dismal. Look at all the reviews. I used mine 10 times over the course of a year before a seal blew which is the #1 problem with the jack. Since the jack was 11 days outside the 1 year warranty, I was stuck with a hunk of metal and great 4' cheater bar. Right now I have a 2 ton 14" jack ($30, weighs 20lbs), a 3 ton 16" jack ($80, weighs 40lbs), and then a 4 ton bottle jack ($20). My favorite jack is the cheap 14" jack. It's perfect and I plan on retiring the 3 ton jack to a friend and buying another 14" $30 jack. It easy to move, it's low enough for my dropped G, it raises the car plenty high, lets me jack up from the rear diff, etc. There's no need for a heavy duty jack because these cars only weigh 3,300-3,600lbs and you're only lifting 1,000-1,800lbs at a time which is more than within the capabilities of a 2 ton jack.
I've had numerous jacks over the years. I had one of those 3 ton Craftsman low profile jacks and it was an utter POS. The reliability of those jacks is dismal. Look at all the reviews. I used mine 10 times over the course of a year before a seal blew which is the #1 problem with the jack. Since the jack was 11 days outside the 1 year warranty, I was stuck with a hunk of metal and great 4' cheater bar. Right now I have a 2 ton 14" jack ($30, weighs 20lbs), a 3 ton 16" jack ($80, weighs 40lbs), and then a 4 ton bottle jack ($20). My favorite jack is the cheap 14" jack. It's perfect and I plan on retiring the 3 ton jack to a friend and buying another 14" $30 jack. It easy to move, it's low enough for my dropped G, it raises the car plenty high, lets me jack up from the rear diff, etc. There's no need for a heavy duty jack because these cars only weigh 3,300-3,600lbs and you're only lifting 1,000-1,800lbs at a time which is more than within the capabilities of a 2 ton jack.
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From: Pothole Central and still ridin slammed...Boston
All stock jacks suck! They are good if your car is super slammed and you need a starter to get underneath your car but other than that thats all they are good for.
Originally Posted by DaveB
Remember that the jacks in most every car is strictly an emergency jack and is not intended for multiple uses. The jack should not be used for maintenance and especially any activity that involves getting any portion of your body under the car.
I've had numerous jacks over the years. I had one of those 3 ton Craftsman low profile jacks and it was an utter POS. The reliability of those jacks is dismal. Look at all the reviews. I used mine 10 times over the course of a year before a seal blew which is the #1 problem with the jack. Since the jack was 11 days outside the 1 year warranty, I was stuck with a hunk of metal and great 4' cheater bar. Right now I have a 2 ton 14" jack ($30, weighs 20lbs), a 3 ton 16" jack ($80, weighs 40lbs), and then a 4 ton bottle jack ($20). My favorite jack is the cheap 14" jack. It's perfect and I plan on retiring the 3 ton jack to a friend and buying another 14" $30 jack. It easy to move, it's low enough for my dropped G, it raises the car plenty high, lets me jack up from the rear diff, etc. There's no need for a heavy duty jack because these cars only weigh 3,300-3,600lbs and you're only lifting 1,000-1,800lbs at a time which is more than within the capabilities of a 2 ton jack.
I've had numerous jacks over the years. I had one of those 3 ton Craftsman low profile jacks and it was an utter POS. The reliability of those jacks is dismal. Look at all the reviews. I used mine 10 times over the course of a year before a seal blew which is the #1 problem with the jack. Since the jack was 11 days outside the 1 year warranty, I was stuck with a hunk of metal and great 4' cheater bar. Right now I have a 2 ton 14" jack ($30, weighs 20lbs), a 3 ton 16" jack ($80, weighs 40lbs), and then a 4 ton bottle jack ($20). My favorite jack is the cheap 14" jack. It's perfect and I plan on retiring the 3 ton jack to a friend and buying another 14" $30 jack. It easy to move, it's low enough for my dropped G, it raises the car plenty high, lets me jack up from the rear diff, etc. There's no need for a heavy duty jack because these cars only weigh 3,300-3,600lbs and you're only lifting 1,000-1,800lbs at a time which is more than within the capabilities of a 2 ton jack.
I hear you on the seals for the Craftsman jack, although I've had mine for about 3 years now.
I miss my dad's old huge Walker jack. Seriously long throw on that old *****. I HATE most of the newer jacks because the throw length is minisule. Only good for jacking the side of the car. Heaven forbid if you have to jack the car using the differential. You basicly have to crawl under the car and pump the handle like 10,000 times at 1" each.
Originally Posted by DaveB
Remember that the jacks in most every car is strictly an emergency jack and is not intended for multiple uses. The jack should not be used for maintenance and especially any activity that involves getting any portion of your body under the car.
I've had numerous jacks over the years. I had one of those 3 ton Craftsman low profile jacks and it was an utter POS. The reliability of those jacks is dismal. Look at all the reviews. I used mine 10 times over the course of a year before a seal blew which is the #1 problem with the jack. Since the jack was 11 days outside the 1 year warranty, I was stuck with a hunk of metal and great 4' cheater bar. Right now I have a 2 ton 14" jack ($30, weighs 20lbs), a 3 ton 16" jack ($80, weighs 40lbs), and then a 4 ton bottle jack ($20). My favorite jack is the cheap 14" jack. It's perfect and I plan on retiring the 3 ton jack to a friend and buying another 14" $30 jack. It easy to move, it's low enough for my dropped G, it raises the car plenty high, lets me jack up from the rear diff, etc. There's no need for a heavy duty jack because these cars only weigh 3,300-3,600lbs and you're only lifting 1,000-1,800lbs at a time which is more than within the capabilities of a 2 ton jack.
I've had numerous jacks over the years. I had one of those 3 ton Craftsman low profile jacks and it was an utter POS. The reliability of those jacks is dismal. Look at all the reviews. I used mine 10 times over the course of a year before a seal blew which is the #1 problem with the jack. Since the jack was 11 days outside the 1 year warranty, I was stuck with a hunk of metal and great 4' cheater bar. Right now I have a 2 ton 14" jack ($30, weighs 20lbs), a 3 ton 16" jack ($80, weighs 40lbs), and then a 4 ton bottle jack ($20). My favorite jack is the cheap 14" jack. It's perfect and I plan on retiring the 3 ton jack to a friend and buying another 14" $30 jack. It easy to move, it's low enough for my dropped G, it raises the car plenty high, lets me jack up from the rear diff, etc. There's no need for a heavy duty jack because these cars only weigh 3,300-3,600lbs and you're only lifting 1,000-1,800lbs at a time which is more than within the capabilities of a 2 ton jack.
