Safety issue please check your ultralight harbor freight aluminum Jack.

Thanks for the PSA Norm, I'll be checking my jacks.

Remember folks do not use a jack to hold your car while working on it. Jack stands save lives.

 

OK checked my HF jack. The three screws that hold the castor were loose on one side. I pulled them all & added a bit of 242 loctite. The bearings in both castors were good, but I'll be checking periodically.

 

What was the manufacturer? HF went from U.S. general to Pittsburgh for the jacks, the new Pittsburgh Jacks look the same as the old U.S. General at first glance (I have both), but the Pittsburgh on closer inspection is much more robust, from the springs to the housing.

 

I have jack stands and I use them every time the car goes up in the air.

Jack stands are cheap insurance arms, legs and skulls are not.

 

Wow glad you and the MINI are ok. I will check mine tomorrow...thanks for the heads up.

 

I do the same, I never use the jack points to jack up the car because a jack is going there as soon as the car is up high enough--i.e. in seconds.

My first (U.S. general Jack) still works, but the roller on the back doesn't roll anymore--from all the use, the metal at the back of the housing is slightly bent and the roller moves about half a rotation and sticks. Unless I can find a way to bend it without screwing it up further, I'll probably toss it. But I got it for 40 bucks originally, and got five good years of use out of it, so no complaints. And for what it's worth, I think it got bent at the track by a guy who was in a desperate hurry to lift his car next to me in the paddock--an M3--which is probably too heavy for that jack.

The new jack made by Pittsburgh is slightly more expensive, but it has double springs instead of one, and the housing is thicker. It is a little heavier, noticeably so, but not by much. I think it'll hold up better.

 

Thanks for the heads up!
Actually that serves as a good reminder for everyone to check their lifting devices annually, no matter what brand. We have to do that at work by law, but accidents can occur at home just as easily.

 

Yeah, they're both rated the same. I'd rather have two pistons than one, less load on each, the Pittsburgh jack looks to be higher quality, but it is slightly more expensive, the least I've seen it for is 50 bucks. I wouldn't have replace my original U.S. general jack if it still worked, but that being said, I have more confidence in the Pittsburgh jack. For 22-32 bucks more, I would have bought a new jack rather than the wheels, but as long as it works, it should be good.

 

In rally we have to use axle stands or face a big fine or thrown out the rally. Stay safe folks.

 

Just curious.... Where would axle stands support a MINI..... Not on the axle's I hope....

 

Mmmmmmmm sorry in England we call 'em axle stands. I mean those things you support the chassis of the car when you take the wheels off.

Rally jack stands - Honda-Tech

 

My Jack stays in good shape til my son borrows it. I think he drags it thru gravel intentionally. Will check the casters. It doesn't need to be from HF to need inspection.