Trolley Jack Advice??

[scott180gtb]

Can anyone recommend a good quality trolley jack? I'm using a halfrauds two ton jack which does the job but not very quickly or safely.

I have looked at sealey's 3003cx which is a three ton quick lift jack. Are these any good? Has anyone got one? I've read some stuff on the net that the seals keep popping.

The lowest entry of this jack is 145mm. Will this be low enough for 325 on eibach 40mm drop?

Any other brands that I should be considering?

It's anal I know but I only want to buy a jack that works all the time. It will also have to lift a big lump of 530d so I don't think the 1.5 tons will be up to it

Thanks

Scott

[E30BeemerLad]

The Clarke stuff from Machine Mart is decent value mate

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/categ ... sion-jacks

This seems a decent price for a low level one, doesn't lift that high though.

http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Main/sp-2 ... -entry.asp

[B7]

Whatever you buy, get a quick lift. Mine isn't and it's a pain in the arse. Mines a 2 ton Clarke and i have to say, it's been great but wish it was quick lift.

[scott180gtb]

Thanks Lee

That's what I have been looking for Low entry with a decent lift height. Just need a quick lift version! The quick lift seems to add £100.

[E30BeemerLad]

The only time a quick lift is worth the money is if you are having to work in a confined space where there isn't much room for operating the handle at near full swing, so it takes ages to get the car up.

I think you can get away without needing a low entry one. The lift height on the low entry ones is pretty poor, around 45cm, which will only see you on a low setting on axle stands. Mine is about 55cm at full eight. I can't get it under the front of the car with the 55mm drop, but it just fits under the diff casing to get the rear in the air. Came with a rubber cover on the lift cup too, saves chewing the underseal off the car.

This is where my money would go (it even has quick lift)

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/produ ... sion-jacks

[scott180gtb]

What about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-Ton-Aluminium-L ... 3cb3d7688e

or this?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SEALEY-3ton-Profe ... 20af26b34d

[E30BeemerLad]

Looks alright for the money, but you can never tell the quality until you use it I guess. I'd guess it is not as strong as a steel one.

Still only got 440mm max lift height though.

Measure how high the lowest setting is on your axle stands buddy, then see how much higher 440mm is to that. Nothing more annoying than needing to get a car well into the air to sit on some stands and the damn jack won't take it there. Although you are a railway sleeper deviant

[E30BeemerLad]

That Sealey one in the 2nd link looks like the kiddy to me

[cecotto479]

Agreed. I've used one for years.

Don't buy the aluminium lightweight one. I did and it just wasn't up to it. Maybe OK for occasional use on a perfectly flat floor, but I wouldn't lift an E39 with it.

[magpie]

you need two trolley jacks one a normal 2 tonne jobby and the other one a big mofo for each and all occasions

[mattrs]

I got the blue ali "racing" jack from Machine Mart, it wasn't the cheapest but i am pleased with it, lovely and light, fits under very low cars too. Only slight thing i don't like is there is no cupping on the part that the car rests on.

[cecotto479]

That's the very one I'm talking about. I thought it was dreadful and told them so. Horses for courses I suppose.

[Ziggy]

I was planning to get a Sealey 2500LE - 85mm-450mm. Now I'm going to have to measure my old ratchet axle stands & see if that's gonna go high enough...

[clarko74]

I was also looking at the Sealey 2500LE - 85mm-450mm, but was more interested in how low it would go rather than how high.

At the moment I've got a cheapo Halfords one that has a range of 140-380mm, trouble is even with standard ride height it won't fit under the mtech 1 front valance and I will soon be lowering it by 35mm which will make it even worse.

[E30BeemerLad]

Just jack on the front each side on the front lolipop bush

[daimlerman]

I was also looking at the Sealey 2500LE - 85mm-450mm, but was more interested in how low it would go rather than how high.

At the moment I've got a cheapo Halfords one that has a range of 140-380mm, trouble is even with standard ride height it won't fit under the mtech 1 front valance and I will soon be lowering it by 35mm which will make it even worse.

Steal a scaffolding plank and cut it into four equal lengths. Using a plane,or even a saw,taper off one end of each bit.Place one part in front of each wheel of your lowered E30 and drive onto the planks.

Use jack as per instructions....

[Bristol_Jer]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Arcan-Low-Profile ... 0494233753

I've got one of these, very impressed with it so far. They are just under £100 in Costco inc VAT. Easily goes under my E30 which is lowered 60/40.

I know it will never be as strong or last as long as a Sealey, but it only gets used maybe once or twice a week at most, and it is really light for its size which is ideal for lifting into the van/car boot taking it to track days.

Someone will probably come along and say it's crap but I like mine [/url]

[bodger]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Arcan-Low-Profile ... 0494233753
[/url]

ive got the same one from costco had mine for 3 years still going strong cant fault it, i payed £70 inc vat back then

[mattrs]

That's the very one I'm talking about. I thought it was dreadful and told them so. Horses for courses I suppose.

Really, why?

[Raj_p]

I got a low entery jack from costco last yearish and use it at work all the time.

Its great for lowered cars and not had issues with it. I think i paid around £55

Heres what it looks like and the specs:

[e30cossie]

costco had 3 tonne 90 cm low level jacks for £58.

I got mine in milton keynes costco.

[Bristol_Jer]

Thats the one I've got Raj

[Raj_p]

Thats the one I've got Raj

Great Jacks, cant fault mine at all, especially for the money, and mine gets hammered everyday...

[DaveD]

this might help



http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/p ... ested.html

[DanThe]

Thats the one I've got Raj

Great Jacks, cant fault mine at all, especially for the money, and mine gets hammered everyday...

I also have one of these for working on E30's, ive yet to find a car it wont roll under.
Nice pad that doesnt dent the underside
Great for throwing in the back of the car as its seriously light weight
I lift the back end of my 5 touring with it easily, all I would say is make sure its level and doesnt twist, common sense really

[maxfield]

I bought one from Costco about 2 years ago and since then it's probably lifted 2-3 cars a day and it's still awesome. It was £70. I think it is an Arcan jack too.

[Simon13]

Clarke 3 ton for me, it's a bit big and heavy but its an animal and very stable £80 odd from machine mart

[Ziggy]

I was also looking at the Sealey 2500LE - 85mm-450mm, but was more interested in how low it would go rather than how high.

At the moment I've got a cheapo Halfords one that has a range of 140-380mm, trouble is even with standard ride height it won't fit under the mtech 1 front valance and I will soon be lowering it by 35mm which will make it even worse.

Same reason here... except that mine's already too low for my cheap cr@ppy jack. I think I'm gonna get one - can't seem to find that costco(/generic ally) one for any less (~£90) at the mo & I'd prefer steel anyway tbh!

[Simon13]

just use the jack in the boot to get started if its that low

[DanThe]

just use the jack in the boot to get started if its that low

Depends on sill existence obviously

[Simon13]

very, sport owners beware!

[Ziggy]

Maybe I'll buy some of them too

My current trolley jack is in dire need of replacement - I won't be using it again, full stop. Might as well get something that'll do the whole job...

[scott180gtb]

Has anyone got some pictures of there cars way up high? We have discussed the relevant jacks. I'm still waiting to make a decision.

Simon 13 what have you used to keep the freshly painted shell of the ground whilst you did all the obvious underneath. What I would give foe a four post lift.

I'm thinking of ideas to hold a shell in the air high enough to get under her comfortable without damaging fresh paint work.

Any pics or ideas?

[n1tr0_9]

Ive just bought 1 of these. It low entry, light weight ally, and fairly chunky. So far it looks good.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 1198wt_905

Its quite expensive but it should last. Ive used the cheap (£70ish) ally ones before when i worked for a race team. They were good to start with but within 3 months they were all fecked. I hope this Draper one lasts longer!

[n1tr0_9]