Cheap Hydraulic Jacks... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**68 Stepside** · 05-11-2007, 03:40 PM

Hey all,

I'm cheap by nature, and tend to really cheap out when it comes to tools and such.

A few years ago I bought a small 2 ton "Mack" brand hydro jack from Wal-Mart. It's always worked well for what I needed it to do, so I thought.

Then comes this morning. I was raising the truck up to take the front tires off, raised it, placed the jackstands underneath it, lowered it and proceeded to take the drivers side tire off. The tire was just barely scrubbing the driveway, so I went around and raised the truck up a few more pumps on the jack. As I walked back around the drivers side and started to reach under the truck to raise the jackstand up another notch, it happened.

I see the truck start to shift, so I jump back as it falls over, kinda landing on the jack stands, and being held up by those and the drivers side front tire that's only held on by two semi-threaded lug nuts that I'd left on.

I checked to make sure I was ok, then got to wondering..."what the hell happened there?"

First pic is the tire (you can also see the jackstand), second is of the jack.

Moral of the story: Don't buy junk if you would like to keep yourself alive. I've been in town all day, bought a new 3 ton jack that's really heavy duty (weighs like 100 lbs.), and a better set of jackstands as well. I could have very easily been hurt severely or crushed to death had that tire not been on the truck.

larry may · 05-11-2007, 04:43 PM

Comes to safety "Get the best". Glad you are not injured.

ratrod67 · 05-11-2007, 08:28 PM

Scary. I had a problem with an engine hoist that scared me pretty good. Even the best in tools can fail. Glad to hear you didn't get hurt.

WORNBRAKES · 05-11-2007, 08:32 PM

Happy to see no one was injured. I think that I had that same jack at one point . I sold it at a garage sale. I hope that dont happen to the guy that bought it.

1lowdiesel · 05-11-2007, 09:12 PM

that sux at least your ok and you get to get a new jack now.

i had an engine stand let go

watahyahknow · 05-17-2007, 05:39 PM

thats an expensive failiure

**68 Stepside** · 05-18-2007, 08:02 PM

Wanna talk expensive failure? My friend Rick had a freshly built vintage 426 Hemi on a "heavy duty" engine stand that failed. Luckily he got away with having to buy a new oil pan, and doing some paint touch-ups.

lbpd719 · 05-22-2007, 01:47 AM

that twisted frame is one reason I am a firm believer in bottle jacks. not as low profile (my truck is stock height, so doesnt really matter), but much more stable.

I always raise enough for the jackstand to get under, then lower onto the jack stand, then pump the jack up to just contacting and tighten.

Double security doesn't hurt, but if a 20 ton stand wont hold it, doubt the bottle will buy me too much time. Oh and always remember, have someone around (even if they are in the house while you are working, and slide those tires under too. a minor "crush" can be survived. a pin in can cost you an arm, leg or worse..

JameslovesJammie · 05-22-2007, 09:30 AM

Wow...I have that same jack. Now I'm really contemplating getting a different one.

C10-Driver · 05-22-2007, 10:54 AM

I have 4 - 6 ton jack stands holding my truck up when I'm underneath it. They are stronger but, also they are usually a lot taller which makes it easier to work under the truck when the need arises.

mvfd70 · 05-22-2007, 11:21 PM

I don't work under my vehicles unless I have jackstands or some other way to block it up. I've never had a jack fail like that one did but I have had them where they would sink back down.

05-11-2007, 03:40 PM	#1
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,692	Cheap Hydraulic Jacks... Hey all, I'm cheap by nature, and tend to really cheap out when it comes to tools and such. A few years ago I bought a small 2 ton "Mack" brand hydro jack from Wal-Mart. It's always worked well for what I needed it to do, so I thought. Then comes this morning. I was raising the truck up to take the front tires off, raised it, placed the jackstands underneath it, lowered it and proceeded to take the drivers side tire off. The tire was just barely scrubbing the driveway, so I went around and raised the truck up a few more pumps on the jack. As I walked back around the drivers side and started to reach under the truck to raise the jackstand up another notch, it happened. I see the truck start to shift, so I jump back as it falls over, kinda landing on the jack stands, and being held up by those and the drivers side front tire that's only held on by two semi-threaded lug nuts that I'd left on. I checked to make sure I was ok, then got to wondering..."what the hell happened there?" First pic is the tire (you can also see the jackstand), second is of the jack. Moral of the story: Don't buy junk if you would like to keep yourself alive. I've been in town all day, bought a new 3 ton jack that's really heavy duty (weighs like 100 lbs.), and a better set of jackstands as well. I could have very easily been hurt severely or crushed to death had that tire not been on the truck. Attached Images __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay Last edited by 68 Stepside; 05-11-2007 at 03:40 PM.

05-11-2007, 04:43 PM	#2
larry may Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: MISSOURI Posts: 3,256	Re: Cheap Hydraulic Jacks... Comes to safety "Get the best". Glad you are not injured. __________________ The biggest problem people have, is other people Thou shalt be cool and not hassle Be a site supporter. The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool inclines to the left." Ecclesiastes 10:2

05-11-2007, 08:28 PM	#3
ratrod67 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 2,270	Re: Cheap Hydraulic Jacks... Scary. I had a problem with an engine hoist that scared me pretty good. Even the best in tools can fail. Glad to hear you didn't get hurt.

05-11-2007, 08:32 PM	#4
WORNBRAKES Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hughesville, MD Posts: 1,350	Re: Cheap Hydraulic Jacks... Happy to see no one was injured. I think that I had that same jack at one point . I sold it at a garage sale. I hope that dont happen to the guy that bought it. __________________ Mario and Mandy Hughesville, MD 20637 69 C10 305/350 71 K5 Basket case 75 K10 Rescue Parting out 77 MG Midget Parting out 15 6.7L Cummins

05-11-2007, 09:12 PM	#5
1lowdiesel Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: central jersey Posts: 763	Re: Cheap Hydraulic Jacks... that sux at least your ok and you get to get a new jack now. i had an engine stand let go __________________ 69 4wd V6 20k orig miles!! 05 ccsb 2wd Diesel 500hp bagged and soon to be stock floored. 01 rcsb chevy 2wd 6bt cummins :devil:> build xtremediesel.com

05-17-2007, 05:39 PM	#6
watahyahknow Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: the netherlands europe Posts: 4,335	Re: Cheap Hydraulic Jacks... thats an expensive failiure __________________ i got a job again and having fun at it too idea's for the trucks and the order of things to do are taking shape and get closer to being realized , a few more months and i be able to start building for real i complete 2 of the trucks intoo running fashion one custom and one basicly stock the thirth will be sacrificed for parts

05-18-2007, 08:02 PM	#7
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,692	Re: Cheap Hydraulic Jacks... Wanna talk expensive failure? My friend Rick had a freshly built vintage 426 Hemi on a "heavy duty" engine stand that failed. Luckily he got away with having to buy a new oil pan, and doing some paint touch-ups. __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

05-22-2007, 01:47 AM	#8
lbpd719 Zappaphile! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Los Banos, California Posts: 228	Re: Cheap Hydraulic Jacks... that twisted frame is one reason I am a firm believer in bottle jacks. not as low profile (my truck is stock height, so doesnt really matter), but much more stable. I always raise enough for the jackstand to get under, then lower onto the jack stand, then pump the jack up to just contacting and tighten. Double security doesn't hurt, but if a 20 ton stand wont hold it, doubt the bottle will buy me too much time. Oh and always remember, have someone around (even if they are in the house while you are working, and slide those tires under too. a minor "crush" can be survived. a pin in can cost you an arm, leg or worse.. __________________ 1969 C20 LWB Camper Special - The Beater.. 1998 Cheyenne V6 - 4/6 Drop - For The Son

05-22-2007, 09:30 AM	#9
JameslovesJammie God Bless Mr. T Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Minot, ND Posts: 348	Re: Cheap Hydraulic Jacks... Wow...I have that same jack. Now I'm really contemplating getting a different one. __________________ Like a midget at a urinal...sometimes you must stay on your toes.

05-22-2007, 10:54 AM	#10
C10-Driver Chevy Truck Addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Kelowna, BC Posts: 1,176	Re: Cheap Hydraulic Jacks... I have 4 - 6 ton jack stands holding my truck up when I'm underneath it. They are stronger but, also they are usually a lot taller which makes it easier to work under the truck when the need arises. __________________ . 1970 Chev C/10 SWB, 355 SBC, 700R4, 3.73 Posi, Air Ride (Click to view Build Thread) (SOLD) 1978 Chevy C/10 SWB 1970 Pontiac Lemans .

05-22-2007, 11:21 PM	#11
mvfd70 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Opdyke, IL Posts: 775	Re: Cheap Hydraulic Jacks... I don't work under my vehicles unless I have jackstands or some other way to block it up. I've never had a jack fail like that one did but I have had them where they would sink back down. __________________ 1978 Chevrolet Silverado 3/4 ton 400 small block. 2000 F-250 Powerstroke 2002 GMC Yukon Denali XL



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