Harbor Freight - Aluminum Jack

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10-12-2008, 10:51 PM
creek

Harbor Freight - Aluminum Jack

I went to HF Saturday to look at this "Aluminum racing jack" and see if it was a cheap piece of junk. I was impressed by the quality and price, so I took one home. It works great! Smooth and well made with no plastic parts, it jacked the car up high enough that with jackstands under all four corners, I could get my big belly under the car even when on the creeper.
I was also pleasantly surprised by the fact that although the website said $99.00 it was on sale in the store for $79.00. Thought you might like to know. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91039
10-13-2008, 07:36 AM
Miatamaniac92

I've got one, I'm looking to upgrade it for a slightly larger one from Costco though.

Lifting by the dif, I can't get the car as high as I would like. Which I mean to max out my jackstands.

Chris
10-13-2008, 09:10 AM
altiain

Thanks for the heads up! I've been waiting for this to go on sale again so I could pick one up.
10-13-2008, 09:49 AM
Titus

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ema...oupon_0317.jpg
10-13-2008, 12:45 PM
smartmx5

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miatamaniac92

I've got one, I'm looking to upgrade it for a slightly larger one from Costco though.

Lifting by the dif, I can't get the car as high as I would like. Which I mean to max out my jackstands.

Chris

If you get a 1x4 board and put it on the jack, you can jack up one side of your car. You need to place the jack directly under the side view mirrors under the bead weld. Jack slowly. It will lift the entire half of the car and you can put jack stands where you would normally use the factory jack.
10-13-2008, 06:00 PM
davidnyc

Just be careful, the HF jacks are known to fail at about a year or two.
10-13-2008, 06:11 PM
Titus

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidnyc

Just be careful, the HF jacks are known to fail at about a year or two.

I've had mine for about 6 years... no problems so far. ::Banana::
10-13-2008, 07:03 PM
davidnyc

http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthread.php?t=20090

I guess it depends on usage. I have one and it is down/broken after about three years.
10-13-2008, 08:25 PM
creek

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidnyc

http://www.roadraceautox.com/showthread.php?t=20090

I guess it depends on usage. I have one and it is down/broken after about three years.

From the looks of that thread anything may or may not fail. It is a mechanical thing after all. I guess that's why you ALWAYS use jack stands if any part of you is going to be under the car.

Being a http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...nimaux0713.gifI guess that's why I drive the car up on ramps, jack up and put the other set of wheels up on blocks and then put jackstands under all four corners before I slide up under a car. Been that way since a Huey fell on my head.
10-14-2008, 08:25 AM
Miatamaniac92

Quote:

Originally Posted by smartmx5

If you get a 1x4 board and put it on the jack, you can jack up one side of your car. You need to place the jack directly under the side view mirrors under the bead weld. Jack slowly. It will lift the entire half of the car and you can put jack stands where you would normally use the factory jack.

Thanks for the tip. I might try that next time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidnyc

Just be careful, the HF jacks are known to fail at about a year or two.

Mine has worked fine for >3 years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by creek

Been that way since a Huey fell on my head.

Yea, jacking helicopters isn't fun. It's a very unnatural act.

Chris
10-16-2008, 07:58 AM
CosmosMpower

I bought the same jack about two years ago and have been very happy with it
10-20-2008, 07:27 PM
Mark52

I've had mine for 4 or 5 or 6 years now-can't remember. I had a problem with a bad o-ring, but it was fairly easy to fix. Still using it. It's about the only jack that will fit under my car (at a TCB price).
10-20-2008, 08:26 PM
Ted the Red

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark52

I've had mine for 4 or 5 or 6 years now-can't remember. I had a problem with a bad o-ring, but it was fairly easy to fix. Still using it. It's about the only jack that will fit under my car (at a TCB price).

Did tightening that threaded part fix you up Mark?
10-21-2008, 08:01 PM
gabkwong

One of the casters broken off from mine. Anyone know where I can find a replacement?
10-21-2008, 08:10 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by gabkwong

One of the casters broken off from mine. Anyone know where I can find a replacement?

http://www.missouristate.edu/assets/china/china_map.gif
10-21-2008, 08:47 PM
gabkwong

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS Racing

http://www.missouristate.edu/assets/china/china_map.gif

Thanks Porf. POS! I will waiting for the next container ship docking at LA.
03-02-2009, 07:53 PM
apex2apex

Just want to add I picked one up at the Carrollton location, it was on sale for 79.99.

20% off coupon on top of that makes a pretty good deal. :D
03-03-2009, 07:11 AM
bnordin

I bought mine last summer at the suggestion of many happy users. Love it.
03-03-2009, 12:01 PM
bmcreider

You know I have a jack that is at least 20 years old, bought at K Mart, K Mart brand on it, and it works like a dream to this day.
03-04-2009, 08:58 AM
OZMDD

I have a 3-ton HF jack (6+ years) and a HF Aluminum racing jack (2 yrs) and both work great. The big jack has seen a LOT of use, and works great. I also have a HF engine hoist, and the hydraulic unit had to have new seals installed after about 4 V-8 installs, but still worked well. It just leaked and wouldn't hold its height under load for very long without re-jacking, but is fine with new seals. Overall, I think the HF stuff is extremely good for the money, and is perfect for the hobbyist. If I were a professional mechanic or had a tire shop, I would probably opt for more expensive gear, but that's the whole point of HF, IMHO: when you need a specialty tool for occasional use or a special project, HF is the place to go. also perfect for "disposable" items: I have a friend who builds custom pipes for motorcycles, and they use sawzalls a lot in their shop. He used to buy $150 saws and repair them from time-to-time. He was at my place when I used one of the cheap-o $24 units from HF, and he liked it so much he went and bought 10. Now they just use them till they stop, then grab another off the shelf. For cutting exhaust pipe, they are plenty powerful. Perfect example of price/quantity winning-out quality. For this, HF is perfect. for hand tools that you pland to use many times and strength/durability matters, go to Craftsman/MAC/Snap-on.
03-04-2009, 12:48 PM
bmcreider

I dunno about Craftsman, the only difference between them and Harbor Freight is that you can get a new one at Sears when it breaks - but it will break just as much.

But, hell, I'd rather have them than Cornwell. First day I had a 1/2" ratchet from Cornwell it broke, had to wait a week to fix it. At least when the Craftsman stuff breaks you just drive to Sears.
03-04-2009, 02:24 PM
creek

When I have a Craftsman tool break I wait until the next time I need it and then drive to Sears.:punchout:
I haven''t managed to break anything from harbor freight yet.
03-04-2009, 03:26 PM
sammm

Just picked one up and used the 20% off coupon posted by Alan. < $70 OTD!

Thanks! :D
03-04-2009, 04:05 PM
wrx74

Quote:

Originally Posted by sammm

Just picked one up and used the 20% off coupon posted by Alan. < $70 OTD!

Thanks! :D

It takes TWO BABY..... Z06 = Miata + Miata
03-04-2009, 04:12 PM
POS Racing

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrx74

It takes TWO BABY..... Z06 = Miata + Miata

Good point! :clap:
03-04-2009, 04:13 PM
Titus

I buy Craftsman and/or Snapon for all my hand tools and use HF for the stuff like my jack, engine stand, engine hoist, etc. With that said, HF offers the same lifetime warranty as Craftsman on their hand tools... I have still avoided them because I don't won't to drive down to HF every day.
03-04-2009, 04:28 PM
JuanoTejano

I also haven't broke any of my HF hand tools, except for a torque wrench that was my fauly but they refunded anyway.
03-04-2009, 05:00 PM
sammm

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrx74

It takes TWO BABY..... Z06 = Miata + Miata

nah...with my home-made 2x12 'lift' ramps and hockey-puck jacking-pucks, I'm all set! ::Bleh::
03-05-2009, 11:51 AM
Darron65

Did I reveal my secret jack pad source? I've been using practice pucks for years; they are just the right softness. :thumleft:
03-05-2009, 12:03 PM
Rogue

I use http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:...ols-777366.gif and http://tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:.../temp/4356.jpg.
If by chance I do break something, the come by the shop every week. :clap:
03-05-2009, 01:02 PM
nealb

Quote:

Originally Posted by davidnyc

Just be careful, the HF jacks are known to fail at about a year or two.

+1 on that

got a leaking one in my garage
03-09-2009, 12:09 PM
TR6

I bought a $200 Craftsman aluminum racing jack and it is leaking. I've had it for about 2 years. I don't think Sears honors a lifetime no questions warranty on hydraulic jacks like they do their handtools. Of course, I also haven't tried to take it back to them either...