tj90

My aluminum floor jack (2 ton alltrade) finally bit the dust after 3 years of moderate-duty use. The seals blew and pump assembly is shot. I was looking for a replacement and noticed that many websites and retailers have stopped carrying them. Im not saying they are impossible to find, but there are certainly not as many on the market and when you do find them, they are alot more expensive!

Just as a point of reference, the costco jack that everyone was raving about (2 ton) is not available anymore. The HF 2 ton aluminum is now $179. Homedepot.com, sams club, autozone and napa were not carrying aluminum jacks when I checked. The only stable retailer that I could find is Sears - their 2 ton jack is $219 ($179 with craftsman club) and I dont think their prices have changed that much in the last 3 years.

Reading websites it seems that many of these jacks are just crap. Sears jack is only like 2 stars on the reviews. I was frank;ly surprised that my jack died after 3 years. I changed the fluid once and always tried to maintain it.

Replacement parts for any of these sub $200 jacks seem non-existent and the seals are the #1 failure point for them. Its a shame that Ill be throwing this jack in the trash, but rebuilding info 1) is hard to find and 2) doesnt give me confidence in the jack anymore.

I wonder why someone cant offer replacement hydraulic units or rebuild kits? or at least buidl these jacks with some better reliability...

Seems that since Im not racing, buying an over-built 3.5 ton low profile steel jack may be the way to go. I would think a higher cap jack would have pump seals that wouldnt even break a sweat lifting cars or even full sized trucks.

tj90

And one more thing - how do you calculate if you are within the rated capacity of the jack? If you are lifting one wheel at a time, do you take vehicle weight and divide by 3 (to be safe)? My F150 weighs ~4400 lbs. It seems that I could lift my truck with a 1500lb jack? Seems like that might be pushing it....

Texas993

When my aluminum jack failed after less than a year, I brought it back to Pep Boys and got the 3.5 ton steel jack. Works well and lifts higher than the alum jack.

I have seen Harbor Freight ads in various car mags that show the aluminum jack for sale with coupon for $59.99. PM me if you want more info or a copy. At that price, I might just buy one that is easily transportable.

tj90

Unfortunately the $59 jack is the bottom-of-the-line 1.5 ton - which may be good for the p-car, but doesnt have a very high lift capability and would not feel comfortable lifting anything larger than a passenger car with it...

Crimson Nape Racing

I've had the sears 2-ton jack for 4-5 years w/o any problems, but I only use it on the p-cars. I have (2) old steel jacks (one is a sears jack that is at least 20 years old) that I use on the truck.
As for your math question, it's not that simple. When you raise 1 corner, you partially lift at least 2 other corners, but also add weight to the opposite corner. It would be an interesting experiment with the corner weights if someone was really bored.....

tj90

Bob - you know I have a 13 YO 3 ton steel jack from Sears. Back in the day you could buy it with 2 jack stands for $99. Its been reliable, maybe I should do what you do and use that for the trucks. Im just spoiled with the lightweight and rapid pump of the aluminum ones. Pepboys has a Torin 3.5 ton steel with rapid pump and low profile jack priced at $199. Napa has the same jack on sale for $197 if you like blue instead of red... That maybe the way to go...

Maybe my 4000 lb aluminum bit the dust due to using it on the trucks... Who knows - it always seemed to work fine.

Texas993

Agree, functional for Pcar but not much else. I wouldn't get it near my Range Rover. But my big steel jack lifts the RR easily.

JasonF

When my Sears Craftsman aluminum jack bit the dust literally one week past the warranty period (how did it know?), I bought an Arcan steel 3.5 ton jack at Costco.

The jack is extremely heavy (107lbs!) so forget about portability but it is a solid hunk of steel backed by Costco's warranty that never expires. For $100 it can't be beat.

twinreds

I just bought the Harbor Freight (the $59). It is actually a 3 ton jack. Cant beat it for the price, but if you go to the store there's a larger selection with multiple capacities.

tj90

twin reds - can you post the item #? I dont recall seeing a 3 ton for $59. I know they have a sidewall sale this weekend and they are offering ITEM 91039-0VGA for $59.

twinreds

Mine is model (US General) 91039, and I confirmed, it's a 3 ton jack. Looks decently hefty, although surprisingly lightweight.

tj90

twinred - I believe you have a 3000 lb or 1.5 ton jack. My issue with it is that it only raises to 14". Definitely a buy $59, but probably will not survive a lifetime and definitely not serviceable.

Chuck W.

My aluminum floor jack from Costco just died after 2 years of light use.

Edward

Hmmm, I guess i've been lucky with my Craftsman alum jack. Light use for home and track, now going on maybe 4th or 5th year. But I definitely use the big steel monster for the SUVs. Small dribble out of the Craftsman jack now, and not even every time, just on occasion, but she still works ...I guess it's only a matter of time, now. So, still no one find a place that would sell a seal set for these things??

Edward

tj90

Ive read on the reviews that someone called sears parts direct - no parts available. They routed the request to their parts team to check with supplier. Still no parts. If you type in the model number of the jack, it will show no parts available. That sucks. I know the hydraulics are serviceable.