What hydraulic jack do you use?
 

So I have a problem lifting my car. That problem is that I don't have a jack. I recently killed my 5th Craftsman 3-ton in 3 years. They've been replacing them for free, but the last one dropped my car on its way up (didn't even hold it for long enough to get the jack stand in there) so I'm done with Craftsman jacks. I've checked out their aluminum professional series jacks, and even they get horrible reviews...apparently all of the cylinders they use leak badly after only a few uses - the problem I've had with all of them as well.

With that being said, what should I get. My budget is less than $150-160, but I don't want some Harbor Freight gray market cheapatron...this is my life we're talking about here. Moderately high lift is a must, and I don't mind driving onto a 2x6 to get the jack underneath if I gotta...I've done it before.

Torin Big Red 3.5 ton low profile... yep, right from Pep Boys for about $100. Its squeaky but it has worked fine for the past 2 years or so. I hadnt heard anything about the Craftsman jacks having problems either though.

I haven't had any luck with them, and just about every review of them on Sears' site is bad, with complaints of either the seals leaking (std series) or the release gear breaking (pro series)

thats a little scary. mine was squeaky soon after i got it but knock on wood... no troubles with it lifting properly. my only complaint is that its ridiculously heavy... over 100 lbs. sometimes i wish i got an aluminum jack. what i have has great range though, its like 3.5" - 22" or so.

That's what I'm looking for. Does it have a long body as well? I like to jack the front of the car by the crossmember, and the rear from the diff housing.

this will give you more info than i can... http://www.torinjacks.com/ProductDet...x?ProductID=49

yeah even the craftsman aluminum jacks have the sameeee damn problem the seal blew out in my brothers 3 times but sears replaced them all, they're not too bad and the can fit under my damn car

Chris, I've used the same 2-ton Craftsman jack for years. The secret is to make sure you're gentle with the needle valve. There's no need to crank on the lowering valve, and 95% of the time, that's what kills the jack. When you tighten it up, it only needs like 5 ft.-lbs. on it to make sure the car won't come down. When you loosen it, back it off real slow. Unless you're in a major rush, there no reason to ever "drop" the car quickly. Dropping the car is hard on the hydraulic seals, which kill the jack the other 5% of the time.

Take care of your jack, and it'll take care of you.

Good luck!

-Jim

This is the Craftsman I have. Model 50523 2-1/4 ton. It's $40 right now.
For aluminum: ($250+s/h) http://www.jackxchange.com/products/5082.cfm
For steel: ($170+s/h) http://www.toolsusa.com/asp/item_det...428&GENB=&UID=

-Jim

i use the cheap ass 30 dollar one that came with 2 jackstands from walmart, i've had it for a year and a half and its still going strong

Ralph brought one of them over to my house to get by, but it's too tall when it's down, and doesn't lift high enough...and it's too narrow...it wants to tip too easily.

Bill Flannnery's has alot of jacks for sale, not sure what makes they have

i just bought my first jack ever the other day :) omg im sucha little kid

but its a cheepy, only holds 2 ton... got it from pepboys hahaha

I have a craftsman also. Its about 5 years old. If anyones seen underneath my car you tell how much its been used.

Well, maybe that's my problem. My jack's not old enough. They probably found a way to make it cheaper, as any corporation would do, and the cheaper cylinder leaks. That doesn't help me though.

I'm seriously considering the Jegs 1.5 ton aluminum jack...starts out low, jacks high enough for my needs, and at $139 with free shipping, it seems like a sweet deal.