Automotive Hydralic Jacks

[magic_garage]

I bought a Craftsman aluminum jack, 2 ton model a few years ago. I'm a weekend warrior at most, and use it for maintenance purposes and light repairs, so it doesn't get used that much. But it recently started to leak. It still raised my compact and mid size car though. I also had another Craftsman model before this aluminum one and after ~4-5 yrs, again with same usage, developed horrible squeek when I would lift my cars. It worked but the sound was pretty irritating. I think I'm willing to spend the extra money and buy one that will last.

My question are:

1) Can these things be repaired?
2) Are there any maintainance I can do on these jacks to make them last longer?
3) What are the good brands and how does Craftsman jacks rank?
4) What are the life expenctancy for these jacks?

Thanks for any input.

 

[cruiser808]

I bought a Craftsman aluminum jack, 2 ton model a few years ago. I'm a weekend warrior at most, and use it for maintenance purposes and light repairs, so it doesn't get used that much. But it recently started to leak. It still raised my compact and mid size car though. I also had another Craftsman model before this aluminum one and after ~4-5 yrs, again with same usage, developed horrible squeek when I would lift my cars. It worked but the sound was pretty irritating. I think I'm willing to spend the extra money and buy one that will last.

My question are:

1) Can these things be repaired?
2) Are there any maintainance I can do on these jacks to make them last longer?
3) What are the good brands and how does Craftsman jacks rank?
4) What are the life expenctancy for these jacks?

Thanks for any input.

Aloha Magic, welcome to the board. Nice to have another "local" here on the site. As far as repairing floor jacks, there are several "experts" here. Most notably are Hiball and Elroy. Do a search on floor jacks and you'll find a wealth of information. Also, check out Hiball's overseas jack repair tutorial thread in the sticky section.

 

[magic_garage]

Aloha Magic, welcome to the board. Nice to have another "local" here on the site. As far as repairing floor jacks, there are several "experts" here. Most notably are Hiball and Elroy. Do a search on floor jacks and you'll find a wealth of information. Also, check out Hiball's overseas jack repair tutorial thread in the sticky section.

Thanks! Yes, nice to see another local.

 

[Hiball]

My question are:

1) Can these things be repaired?
2) Are there any maintainance I can do on these jacks to make them last longer?
3) What are the good brands and how does Craftsman jacks rank?
4) What are the life expenctancy for these jacks?

Thanks for any input.

1) Yes they can be repaired, Hard parts are sometimes hard to come by, but all soft parts are available thru 1 source or another.

2)Not really, The sad truth about these Import jacks are that the majority of them use Orings for the sealing surfaces and unfortunately the less you use them the more premature the orings harden.

3) Craftsman jacks are no better than anything found at Harbor Freight or your Big Box stores. Only difference is the paint scheme and stickers.

4) See #3

 

[crewchief888]

i must be lucky, i bought a Nesco Hydraulics 2 1/4 t jack from my snappy dealer over 15 years ago, no leaks no funny noises, it's biggest probelm is rust.

 

[Hiball]

i must be lucky, i bought a Nesco Hydraulics 2 1/4 t jack from my snappy dealer over 15 years ago, no leaks no funny noises, it's biggest probelm is rust.

Ive never heard of Nesco Hydraulics, (Picture) Im guessing its a Import, But could be wrong. With that said the Import jacks from 10+ years ago are hands down better than what you can buy now, Same design but they utilized Ucups on the Ram instead of Orings in a Sleeve.

 

[crewchief888]

Ive never heard of Nesco Hydraulics, (Picture) Im guessing its a Import, But could be wrong. With that said the Import jacks from 10+ years ago are hands down better than what you can buy now, Same design but they utilized Ucups on the Ram instead of Orings in a Sleeve.

it's probably an import, but who knows
i'd never heard of them either , but my old snappy dealer said he used to sell a lot of em to tire shops and small garages. even back then seems like i paid $125 or so for it. guess it was worth it

 

[Hiball]

it's probably an import, but who knows
i'd never heard of them either , but my old snappy dealer said he used to sell a lot of em to tire shops and small garages. even back then seems like i paid $125 or so for it. guess it was worth it

If you have 15 years on it, It was well worth $125.

 

[123Go]

I ran across this jack and remembered this old post. Its the elusive Nesco 2.25 ton. Looks like a Japanese Yasui? Same as craftsman green version from yrs back? Tried to copy/download just the pics but it wont let me so heres link.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/15101965956...e=ADME:X:RTQ:MOTORS:1123&vxp=mtr#ht_99wt_1133

 

[Hiball]

I ran across this jack and remembered this old post. Its the elusive Nesco 2.25 ton. Looks like a Japanese Yasui? Same as craftsman green version from yrs back? Tried to copy/download just the pics but it wont let me so heres link.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/15101965956...e=ADME:X:RTQ:MOTORS:1123&vxp=mtr#ht_99wt_1133

I'd say that's a fair assessment based off the picture, probably sporting a 40x22x12 Ucup, big fatty Orings on the pump, might even have some wipers on the pump/tank seal.

 

[EDGAR]

NESCO 2.25 ton pictures downloaded.

 

[123Go]

Thanks guys! You guys sure keep an eye out on posts no matter how old. And you must be night owls like me...I knew I liked this site for a reason.

 

[crewchief888]

looks just like mine, rust and all