Trolley Jack

[Ethan1996]

Hey guys,

Got a 1.5 tonne draper trolley jack for christmas from my girlfriends parents, and it seems to really struggle to lift the car up?

Having never had a trolley jack I don't really know how much work is involved in lifting the car so is it normal to have to put a fair bit of strength into the trolley jack for it to lift the car? Only ever seen the massive ones in tyre shops and obviously they're alot easier but with a price tag to match!

Is it just normal for a small trolley jack to be quite hard work to lift the car right up? It copes fine and its easy lifting it off the ground, but then any higher than tyres just touching and it seems to be alot harder

Thanks, Ethan

 

[JamesBryan]

Shouldn't be struggling with a Clio tbh.

What jack is it?

 

[Kelv]

if its only a small piston and a small lever/handle you are using, then yes you will have to put in a little more effort, but a 1.5 tonne jack will still be more than capable for the task.
a lot of the bigger lightweight jacks have a 3ft lever to pump up the jack, the longer the lever the less effort is required.

 

[ilovewilly]

Do you lift?

 

[Chi]

little jacks will take more effort. try without it lol

 

[Jay.S]

Your not meant to lift the whole car

 

[Ethan1996]

Ah okay so it's normal, its this jack:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Draper-24982-Redline-1-5-Tonne-Trolley-Jack-Trolly-Lift-/170994146983

Just wanted to know if its normal, I can get it to lift one side up just the amount of effort it takes seemed different to what I thought it'd be! Didn't know if the jack would need bleeding again or something

Noob question much

 

[Jay.S]

I've got one similar to that they don't go very high either which can be a pain if your trying to get a decent set of axle stands underneath.

When working on the rear jack it up on the rear axle will lift both wheels off the ground then, I usually put some wood or something inbetween the jack & car to prevent damage. Remember car in gear and chock the front wheels.

Front I usually do a corner at a time.

 

[Ethan1996]

I've got one similar to that they don't go very high either which can be a pain if your trying to get a decent set of axle stands underneath.

When working on the rear jack it up on the rear axle will left both wheels off the ground then, I usually put some wood or something inbetween the jack & car to prevent damage. Remember car in gear and chock the front wheels.

Front I usually do a corner at a time.

Got a rubber hockey puck for that, neat trick I was told! Works well, it just seems to really struggle to lift the wheels off the ground sometimes and wasn't sure why, was resisting trying to put too much strength on it just incase but think ill try again later with alot more strength on the jack!

 

[Gaz2480]

What sort of ground are you using it on? I've got one of the low Clarke ones with the long handle and if I'm using it on my drive then even that's hard because the jack sinks into the drive and can't roll. So it's trying to drag the car as well as lift.

 

[Ethan1996]

Its a tarmac drive with concrete underneath, could be that actually I bet it can't roll very well the tarmacs quite bumpy

 

[JamesBryan]

Its a tarmac drive with concrete underneath, could be that actually I bet it can't roll very well the tarmacs quite bumpy

Looking at the jack in that link, it has a maximum height of 300mm. It will get harder as you get nearer to it's limit.

As long as your drive is smooth enough for it roll, it'll be fine. As you start lifting, the jack will want to roll forward towards the underside of the car so it can keep it's balance. If it can't roll then there is a risk of it tripodding or both rear wheels lifting, i've seen it happen many times.

 

[Gaz2480]

Yeah mines Tarmac I don't know who put it down but it's been done poorly. The jack sinks before it starts to lift.

 

[JamesBryan]

Yeah mines Tarmac I don't know who put it down but it's been done poorly. The jack sinks before it starts to lift.

That's really poor :dapprove:

 

[ilovewilly]

Yeah mines Tarmac I don't know who put it down but it's been done poorly. The jack sinks before it starts to lift.

Pop a board underneath to spread the load. If you are feeling really adventurous then fix some corner brackets to it so the jack can be placed securly in it to stop it rolling off.

 

[Jack 172]

Do you lift?

 

[Gaz2480]

Pop a board underneath to spread the load. If you are feeling really adventurous then fix some corner brackets to it so the jack can be placed securly in it to stop it rolling off.

Thats what I do now when I remember.

 

[Amos91]

What's the best type of wood for this? Preferably something that can be left outside without going soggy!

I want a trolley jack but only have access to a gravel drive...

 

[Ethan1996]

What's the best type of wood for this? Preferably something that can be left outside without going soggy!

I want a trolley jack but only have access to a gravel drive...

Exterior grade treated plywood would probably be my choice, thicker the better?

 

[Rob]

Pop a board underneath to spread the load. If you are feeling really adventurous then fix some corner brackets to it so the jack can be placed securly in it to stop it rolling off.

This last bit is terrible advice, sorry.

A jack needs to move, or the jack will bend/flex. The act of the jack rolling back and forth is part of lifting the car. The alternative to the jack moving, is it dragging your car accross the floor, which isn't great for the jack.

What's the best type of wood for this? Preferably something that can be left outside without going soggy!

I want a trolley jack but only have access to a gravel drive...

I believe it's called marine ply, a thick plastic sheet would do too, but I'm not sure where you'd get one from?

 

[MarkCup]

I use a piece of scrap 5mm ply...it dopes give a little but it still holds the car securely and stops any impression on the tarmac beneath.