[Car Thread] what jack/axle stands

[chris-red]

I need to do brakes on my car, it's about time I bought my own lifting gear as I've been borrowing my dad's. After something cheap and sturdy it won't be used often but I'd like it to last decades. My dad's jack is a Halfords one and I thinks it's older than I am, something like that would be ideal, is Halfords stuff any good now?
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Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[MCN]

A five ton trolley is easier to lift car on. A three ton will lift it though.

Look for heavy duty axle stands. The lighter ones are much less stable. And stability is all you are after really in an axle stand (Or in a relationship too.)

And look for wheel chocks. Very important again for maximum stability. You can do it on a jack alone but then......

Halfords stuff is good enough and it is normally local.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[c_dug]

I did my car brakes on Halfords trolley jack and stands last January, I'd want something a bit more skookum for really regular use, but I'll be using them a few times a year at most and for that they're perfect.

If you want something that looks a bit more solid, I spotted some decent gear in Costco last time I was there. Probably a bit overkill though.
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I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[chris-red]

[Bikeless]

I use a draper 2 tonne jack ,given to me and an RAC kit,which is a 2 tonne jack,axle stands and chocks, was about £50 I think,had it 10 years or so, still going strong.

[Ste]

https://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-workshop/trolley-jacks/halfords-3-tonne-quick-lift-garage-trolley-jack
&
https://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-workshop/axle-stands/halfords-3-tonne-axle-stands

The jack is probably more than you're wanting to spend but it should last you forever and will make light work of pretty much anything.

[Hong Kong Phooey]

I've lifted allsorts on a 1.5t rated trolley jack, and brake work you can wedge the tyre or block of timber under the sill. You're lifting one corner, not the whole vehicle, maybe front end is 1t max on most cars.

If I'm crawling under then its on ramps.
The trolley jack I've inherited doesn't even have a rating plate.

I'd look more at the quality than overspeccing it on weight.

I've found cheaper jacks the castor wheels can buckle, metal wheels are good here with a thick shaft. Smooth release action is good, if they sell spares then it'll be servicable.

Having said that, the 1.5t mentioned above has been going 25+ years without any attention. The rule is always be prepared for any jack to fall at any moment.

Doesn't matter how expensive it is, it's just a ballbearing stopping your head being staved in.
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'81 CG125, '97 FZS600 : '99 CBR600F4, '09 KTM RC8

[........]

I have 2 trolley jacks in my garage. One huge low, long reach one that'll lift a truck (came from a professional garage after it failed, just needed the seals replacing). The other is a 1.5t Halfords jack that I've had for about 15 years. It's still fine and is the one I tend to use the most.

Personally I don't like the ratcheting axle stands. I know they're perfectly safe but I like to be able to see the thing that is taking the load (big pin on most stands). I had a car fall on my leg once. It hurt a lot and I'm keen not to repeat the experience. Also, being crushed to death underneath a car strikes me a really unpleasant way to die.

[chris-red]

Went for the Costco jack in the end, the build quality was so much better than Halfords plus I have a 5 year no quibble guarantee, also it's sexy AF . I couldn't decide on axle stands and just bought some cheap Silverline ones, they were £20 the idea being I'll buy better ones as and when I need them. I was pleasantly surprised they were rated at 3ton each rather than the pair, I'm impressed with the build quality, for £20 they are excellent, if I need more I'd happily buy them again.
____________________
Well, you know what they say. If you want to save the world, you have to push a few old ladies down the stairs.
Skudd:- Perhaps she just thinks you are a window licker and is being nice just in case she becomes another Jill Dando.
WANTED:- Fujinon (Fuji) M42 (Screw on) lenses, let me know if you have anything.

[Hong Kong Phooey]

[chris-red]

[pompousporcup...]