how often do hydraulic floor jacks fail?

2000fordstanggt

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Sep 6, 2005

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Westland, MI

Dec 8, 2007

#1

• Dec 8, 2007

• #1

i know youre supposed to support the car with jackstands, but, say you didnt have any, but needed to do a quick oil change or something. do the newer ones come down a lot?

 

Y

YelloSchtang001

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Apr 26, 2005

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Dec 8, 2007

#2

• Dec 8, 2007

• #2

not that often i bought one that leaked down quite frequently...it wouldnt fall just kinda leaked down

 

lazerred02

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Nov 19, 2004

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FT Stewart, GA

Dec 8, 2007

#3

• Dec 8, 2007

• #3

2000fordstanggt said:

i know youre supposed to support the car with jackstands, but, say you didnt have any, but needed to do a quick oil change or something. do the newer ones come down a lot?

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Never get under a car that is NOT supported on Jackstands man. You can get a set of Jackstands for a small price, they won't be the prettiest but they will work and keep you safe.

 

R

rugster

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Aug 31, 2004

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Dec 8, 2007

#4

• Dec 8, 2007

• #4

Never under any circumstances climb under a car that isn't supported by jackstands. I am sure many of us here know someone who has lost their life because of this....seriously man, just go pick up a pair, they will last you a lifetime...a nice long lifetime

 

2000fordstanggt

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Sep 6, 2005

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Westland, MI

Dec 8, 2007

#5

• Dec 8, 2007

• #5

i have some. i was just wondering how often these type of jacks actually give out. id never try it with the stock scissor jack and under no circumstances an actual bumper jack. i know its a bad idea..if nothing else id put a beefy toolbox or something under the car to keep it from coming all the way down, if that ever happened.

 

1992 2.3LX

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Dec 5, 2002

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Ky

Dec 8, 2007

#6

• Dec 8, 2007

• #6

a scissor jack technically would be safer to be under a car than a hydraulic jack.
Not that I would advise being under either. With a Scissor Jack it is locked into position unless it is cranked.
All a hydraulic jack has to do is lose pressure for whatever reason. Or since they are on wheels just move a little bit.

 

tomustang

Psychotic Member

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Jun 8, 2000

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McLean Hospital

Dec 8, 2007

#7

• Dec 8, 2007

• #7

Well lets just say the cheaper ones like what Harbor Freight has fail alot more than the standard ones

 

blkhorse

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Oct 30, 1999

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Dec 8, 2007

#8

• Dec 8, 2007

• #8

I don't think I have heard of one just failing,they will have a slow controled leakdown. the problem is the car slipping off the jack that kills people

 

2000fordstanggt

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Sep 6, 2005

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Westland, MI

Dec 8, 2007

#9

• Dec 8, 2007

• #9

blkhorse said:

I don't think I have heard of one just failing,they will have a slow controled leakdown. the problem is the car slipping off the jack that kills people

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now that sounds like something that could happen frequently.

 

propellerhead

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Dec 8, 2007

#10

• Dec 8, 2007

• #10

Spend the $15 on some jackstands. You'll use them again later.

 

BennyBlown2v

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Dec 9, 2004

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Dec 8, 2007

#11

• Dec 8, 2007

• #11

propellerhead said:

Spend the $15 on some jackstands. You'll use them again later.

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+1!

Don't be the idiot who gets crushed under his car because he was too cheap/stupid to use a jack stand or two Also, if you got them throw some ramps (or if you take the tires off throw the wheels/tires) under the car so if it does fall you won't be completely crushed.

 

2000fordstanggt

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Sep 6, 2005

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Westland, MI

Dec 8, 2007

#12

• Dec 8, 2007

• #12

BennyBlown2v said:

+1!

Don't be the idiot who gets crushed under his car because he was too cheap/stupid to use a jack stand or two Also, if you got them throw some ramps (or if you take the tires off throw the wheels/tires) under the car so if it does fall you won't be completely crushed.

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its been a habit of mine for as long as i can remember that whenever a wheel comes off for brake work or what have you that the rim goes right under the car. just so if something does happen it wont land on the rotors.

whenever i get under the car i make sure to do it safely. this was just a question specifically about how often they straight out fail.

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

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Feb 18, 2001

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Dec 8, 2007

#13

• Dec 8, 2007

• #13

I have serious issues going under cars. I always get freaked out.

I will never go under a car just held by a jack. i will go under a car on ramps, but i will put a jack or jackstand under the car as a safety measure.

Even jackstands freak me out. I'm always afraid if the car gets nudged hard enough they will tip.

I use cinderblocks under the car when i can so if the car comes down, the blocks will catch it and hold it.

 

DTNODYA

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Dec 15, 2005

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Dec 8, 2007

#14

• Dec 8, 2007

• #14

^ I know what you mean .. I always kinda 'shake' the car while it's on stands to see the amount of movement before I crawl under.

That'd be a terrible way to go.

 

Silvergto2

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Jun 8, 2005

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UTAH

Dec 8, 2007

#15

• Dec 8, 2007

• #15

Since we are on this subject, what Jack/Jackstand brand - type does everyone recommend? I have a 2 ton jack and some jackstands but the problem I run into is that the jack can only lift the car so high, so I can't quite reach everything I would like to. The other problem is the handle isn't very long so I can't jack the car by the subframe connectors.