[Stuart]

Originally Posted by imposter

can the old ones be rebuilt anymore

Yes. A local hydraulic shop may be able to do the work, or you can order seal kits from several suppliers. Here is one supplier: http://www.theserviceco.net/home.html

There have been a number of discussions over the years on rebuilding jacks over on the Garage Journal forum - search for posts by board member 'Hiball', he's kind of the jack guru over there. He used to sell rebuild kits and doesn't do that anymore, but he's provided links to parts sources as well as posting some tutorials.

This is a link to a tutorial on rebuilding jacks made in Taiwan - many old jacks including ones from Sears were built there, and they are all pretty much the same: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/...utorial.51105/

There's also information on that board about US jacks like Walker, Lincoln, Blackhawk, Hein-Werner, etc.

[59safaricat]

Originally Posted by Skip Fix

My old 80s Craftsman started not holding pressure last year and I can not find a rebuild kit. I'd give that a try if I could find one.

https://www.hcrcnow.com/shop/seal-kits/sears-craftsman

[mgarblik]

Originally Posted by Cliff R

I guess Snap On isn't living up to the name these days.

Not surprised, very few companies left out there that haven't went off-shore to be price competitive and forgot about quality and customer service someplace in that mix as well.......

Some Snap-On tools are still great IMO. Only speaking of the hydraulic items they stick their name on. Hand tools are still USA made and very good. Very expensive as well.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

I bought an Arcan 3 ton jack at Costco 6-7 years ago. It's a hybrid, part aluminum, part steel. It has double piston pumps and from my experience, it is tough as nails. Mine has been in the mud, left outside in the rain, basically torture tested by me. If I was going to buy another jack, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one again.

I bought mine at Costco and I linked to the current listing they have. The price is about double of what I paid for it, I believe I paid $109, they're now $214.

Link: https://www.costco.com/3-ton-profess...100222458.html

I use mine to lift my dually, my IH wrecker. My other jack won't lift the wrecker, and will only lift one corner on the dually. It works just as good today as it did the day I bought it home, I haven't added any hydraulic oil since I bought it.

The retaining pin for the handle is spring loaded so the handle comes off much easier than threaded ones do. It has a foam sleeve on the handle so you won't mar a car if the handle bumps it. Light enough that you can pick it up and load it into a truck or car trunk, has handles on both sides that are easy to grab for lifting.

I've owned a bunch of floor jacks over the years, I believe I like this one over all the others I've owned, or used, Hein Werner, Walker, etc. Seems like a lot of engineering went into it, and they didn't skimp on cheap junk parts.

There are cheaper jacks out there, but I think the Arcan is the best value. I really didn't expect it was going to be as good as it's been, I was pleasantly surprised though. Not many products that I say that about anymore. Amazon and HD sell their products too.

Brad, Arcan is on my list to consider. I've heard great things about their products.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by mgarblik

Some Snap-On tools are still great IMO. Only speaking of the hydraulic items they stick their name on. Hand tools are still USA made and very good. Very expensive as well.

Mike, I agree with your summation. Most of my Snap-On tools were purchased years ago, but they still work great. Got a 1/4" ratchet I need to replace. I can say that many of my former co-workers have gone to MAC and MATCO because they can no longer afford Snap-On.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by Stuart

Yes. A local hydraulic shop may be able to do the work, or you can order seal kits from several suppliers. Here is one supplier: http://www.theserviceco.net/home.html

There have been a number of discussions over the years on rebuilding jacks over on the Garage Journal forum - search for posts by board member 'Hiball', he's kind of the jack guru over there. He used to sell rebuild kits and doesn't do that anymore, but he's provided links to parts sources as well as posting some tutorials.

This is a link to a tutorial on rebuilding jacks made in Taiwan - many old jacks including ones from Sears were built there, and they are all pretty much the same: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/...utorial.51105/

There's also information on that board about US jacks like Walker, Lincoln, Blackhawk, Hein-Werner, etc.

Stuart, thanks for the info. What has worn out is the actuator link to the hydraulic cylinder. It's cast iron and rather intricate. I dare say it would be nearly impossible to duplicate (unless a member has a 3D printer that uses cast iron).

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by mzbk2l

Harbor Freight 2 ton (or 2-1/4) ultra low profile, high lift with quick lift and a beam attachment. The ultra low goes under the front spoiler of the Trans Am, and the 24" lift will get most pickup trucks off the ground. The beam attachment is great on FWD cars where you don't have a center jacking point.

Mike, I've been considering the beam attachment from HF. My BIL has one in his body shop. He swears by it.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by 77 TRASHCAN

I like the floor jacks with the Viagra feature...

Little blue pills that give you a snotty nose?

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by 59safaricat

The most common failure on hydraulic jacks is failed seals, then the fluid leaks out. There's plenty of YouTube vids on how to rebuild them if that's your problem.

No, the hydraulics on mine are fine: it the link between the handle and the hydraulic cylinder that is worn out.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by 400 4spd.

I have 4 floor jacks, the newest probably 20 years old. I recently had the cylinder rebuilt on my oldest and favorite jack, a Walker. For less than $100 it’s back in business.

My cylinder is fine. Still holds fluid without leaking. The link between the handle and the cylinder is worn out. You can only get one half of the available stroke due to the wear.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by RocktimusPryme

The best model from harbor freight is a Snap On copy. I cant remember its model, but just go buy the most expensive one. Its really nice. Best jack ive ever had. Of course if you are wealthier than me you could just buy the snap on one.

Sorry, even if I had the money Snap-On has gotten more than enough money from me over the last forty years.

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by Sirrotica

FWIW, I see the biggest complaint about the HF is it's heavy, 103 lbs for the HF, 58 lbs for the Arcan hybrid, aluminum and steel construction. Your money, your choice.

Brad, my current 2 1/2 ton jack weighs a hefty 110lbs. A lighter jack would definitely make my back much happier!

[hurryinhoosier62]

Originally Posted by Cliff R

Learn something new every day. I still have my first floor jack purchased in the mid-1970's. It's slow but works fine all these years. The "new" NAPA Professional jack has only been used a few times. Since I bought my four post lift in 2004 I don't use floor jacks all that often. The NAPA jack has literally only been used a handful of times and why I was shocked when it crapped out. Seems odd that they can be air in the system and quit working just sitting there not being used.........

Cliff, I don't need a post lift (BIL has two), but a good scissor lift would be a godsend. I can't seem to find one that will lift a vehicle to chest height (could it be my chest height is higher than most?) that runs on 220V power. There are lots of ones that use 110V power, but the racket from the motors is nearly deafening.

[mzbk2l]

Originally Posted by hurryinhoosier62

Mike, I've been considering the beam attachment from HF. My BIL has one in his body shop. He swears by it.

As do I - it almost never comes off the jack unless I need the low clearance feature.

[Mr Anonymous]

My favorite floor jack is the 3 ton Sears "long frame" jack my dad bought in 1980. I got it after his passing, still works well even though I rarely use it anymore. Years prior, he bought me the so-called equivalent from Northern tool. From the factory, a check ball and spring were left out. They wouldn't back up their products, basically told me to pound sand. Once I figured out the problem and made my own colorful fix, it works fine. Now I have two of these long frame jacks rarely being used. When my son gets his own place, he gets all the duplicate tools I have, which is a bunch.

I've bought a good number of decent, standard issue floor jacks (25+ years old minimum) at local auctions for anywhere from $1 to $5. Take them home, some oil and some fiddling, and most of them come back to life and do well.

If you want to have some real fun, rebuild some porta-power units. There's a few videos on how they come apart, the parts are available. Pretty nifty little buggers. And for the cost of a rebuild kit, now I have two complete sets, and had one job that required using both at the same time. In that case, the only safe place to stand in case of failure.... was probably up in my house hiding beside an upturned kitchen table.

[Skip Fix]

Originally Posted by bluebandit

Try here, https://www.hcrcnow.com/shop/seal-kits

Thanks I'll look up the model # tonight and see.

[68 Firebird]

This floor jack has served me well for over twenty years.
Purchased at Costco and have had good luck with purchases there.

Never heard of Arcan before it since purchase!