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 the U.S. General which I have had for years. Bought it shortly after I got my MINI in 2003. Good little jack though, just have to keep it up after years of use.
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.
cct1, for $28.74 (two replacement caster wheels) to my door from HF. I fixed mine up, it's as good as new. They are both rated @ 1500 lb., the Pittsburgh has two hydraulic pistons, more to go wrong. I think the replacement caster wheels which are slightly heavier duty are for the Pittsburgh jacks but work on the U.S. General so that is what you get when ordering them.
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.
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.
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