GolfGTIforum.co.uk
General => The garage => Topic started by: Mr_F on 23 March 2012, 14:23
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So the Winters are comming off this weekend and looking at doing the job myself.
What should I look for when buying a jack, I've heard the one in the boot isn't too great!
Going to be swapping my wheels on the clock change every year on at least one car so don't mind buying a slightly better jack. I'm seriously unlikeley to be doing any work under the car, but equally don't want something to fall down and smash the discs.
Also any advice on getting the bolts undone that have been put on with a gun would help.
All advice welcome.
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A good 2 tonne jack will do what you are after - don't need anything fancy or low level - most car shops will recommend one if you ask them
Make sure the jack is on the correct lifting points as you could bend the sills :(
For getting the wheel nuts off I normally use a breaker bar and muscle power :D
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And undo the wheel nuts a little bit before you jack the car help up to stop them spinning.
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make sure use axcle stands and put them in the right jacking points ... :grin: :wink: :smiley:
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All good advice, thanks guys, buy you all a pint if you can find my local....hehe :laugh:
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If you are only changing the wheels and wont be doing anything else than the one in the boot is fine, that is what it is desgined for, changing a wheel. When its jacked up just put the wheel that is ready to go on underneath the chassis near the wheel arch so if the jack goes the car won't hit the floor. I am sure the jack wouldn't go, espeically as it takes less than 5min to change a wheel...Don't waste your money.
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If you do get a trolley jack, don't get a cheap one. I've only had mine about a year, but the rear castor is buckled, one of the front wheels fell off yesterday, and its started leaking too. Time for me to invest in a new one too!
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The only positive thing about getting a trolley jack is quicker jacking. But if you are only using it to change a wheel don't bother.
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If you are only changing the wheels and wont be doing anything else than the one in the boot is fine, that is what it is desgined for, changing a wheel. When its jacked up just put the wheel that is ready to go on underneath the chassis near the wheel arch so if the jack goes the car won't hit the floor. I am sure the jack wouldn't go, espeically as it takes less than 5min to change a wheel...Don't waste your money.
:shocked: :shocked:
A decent trolley jack is about £40 which is well worth the money if you're going to be using it at least twice a year.
I've witnessed first hand the 'widow maker' collapsing; thankfully Adam (on here) wasn't hurt!! Nearly made a mess of the side skirts mind.......
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If you are only changing the wheels and wont be doing anything else than the one in the boot is fine, that is what it is desgined for, changing a wheel. When its jacked up just put the wheel that is ready to go on underneath the chassis near the wheel arch so if the jack goes the car won't hit the floor. I am sure the jack wouldn't go, espeically as it takes less than 5min to change a wheel...Don't waste your money.
:shocked: :shocked:
A decent trolley jack is about £40 which is well worth the money if you're going to be using it at least twice a year.
I've witnessed first hand the 'widow maker' collapsing; thankfully Adam (on here) wasn't hurt!! Nearly made a mess of the side skirts mind.......
Meh :lipsrsealed:
Spend the £40 get a trolley jack. Rhyso is right...I'll go crawl back under my rock :rolleyes:
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If you are only changing the wheels and wont be doing anything else than the one in the boot is fine, that is what it is desgined for, changing a wheel. When its jacked up just put the wheel that is ready to go on underneath the chassis near the wheel arch so if the jack goes the car won't hit the floor. I am sure the jack wouldn't go, espeically as it takes less than 5min to change a wheel...Don't waste your money.
:shocked: :shocked:
A decent trolley jack is about £40 which is well worth the money if you're going to be using it at least twice a year.
I've witnessed first hand the 'widow maker' collapsing; thankfully Adam (on here) wasn't hurt!! Nearly made a mess of the side skirts mind.......
Meh :lipsrsealed:
Spend the £40 get a trolley jack. Rhyso is right...I'll go crawl back under my rock :rolleyes:
:kiss:
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Yep buy a trolley jack, worth every penny :rolleyes:
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Well as the sun was out, I wanted to go play, so went with the Widowmaker rather than go to the shops, managed all four wheels, mounted correctly but did manage to break a 1.5" thick piece of Honister slate in the process. Made my heart skip a beat when it went. Nicer jack needed!
Summers wheels on and Scraping Ice off the window this morning, typical!!!!
Thanks guys, you're all awesome!
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You can pick up a trolley jack new for as little as £20 on ebay, there really is no excuse! :grin:
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2 ton compact jack with case from machine mart £25 :cool:
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......and www.toolstation.com cheapest 2 tonne trolley jack item No. 12136 at £21.90 including delivery. :laugh:
h8v
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Buy cheap buy twice.
Get a good 3 tonne jack.
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he`s got a mk6 not a mk3 :grin:
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Just to echo what Rhyso said, the widdow maker that came with my Mk4 has collapsed twice now....luckily both times it was whilst I was lifting the car so the wheels were still on. I have seen another one collapse as well, it's not worth the risk :undecided:
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Buy cheap buy twice.
Get a good 3 tonne jack.
3 ton is a bit overkill. A good quality 2 ton is good enough, or a cheap one for occasional use!
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Check eBay I bought one the other day £50 delivered low entry jack with lights
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Buy cheap buy twice.
Get a good 3 tonne jack.
3 ton is a bit overkill. A good quality 2 ton is good enough, or a cheap one for occasional use!
I learnt that in my overhead crane course. Always go overkill with the lifting gear / beams. :grin:
I also found cheap ones don't last that long. seals blow all the time. Costco are doing one for about £90 and its a low profile jack with 3 tonne lifting capacity. Has got some good reviews.
:smiley:
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i never use the boot jack anymore after seeign my mates go and mine the other week i had to use mine as i had a flat like and the threads just pulled out and boom! lucky wheel was still on halfords 30 quid on trade 2 tone trolley jack all you need. no need to get a 3 tone as dont forget you only lifting the corner of the car which isnt 2 tone....
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he`s got a mk6 not a mk3 :grin:
Brilliant, I love this site!
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I have got a 2 and a 3 ton jack Mr.Blue, I only use the 3 ton
for the Audi. The 2 ton is a sealey, it's a very good jack, definitely
more than enough to lift a golf.
Although I do use meaty 3 ton axle stands now :lipsrsealed:
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Every man should have a trolley jack, there are no excuses.
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Buy cheap buy twice.
Get a good 3 tonne jack.
3 ton is a bit overkill. A good quality 2 ton is good enough, or a cheap one for occasional use!
I learnt that in my overhead crane course. Always go overkill with the lifting gear / beams. :grin:
I also found cheap ones don't last that long. seals blow all the time. Costco are doing one for about £90 and its a low profile jack with 3 tonne lifting capacity. Has got some good reviews.
:smiley:
I have one of the cheapy £25 ones, and this has happened to mine now after just over a year. Also the castors have bent, and one of the front wheels fell off previously! :rolleyes:
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Cheap ones these days do appear to be 'cheap'
I bought a cheap one £25 almost 20 years ago now from Halfords or something and I still use it now, never popped a seal or bent. Recently purchased a low entry Sealey item for £90 and it's been great so far. Having two is ready handy.
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Get one with the widest jacking platform possible.
I have three - one crappy halfords one, one crappy RAC one (both have tiny platforms) and a decent halfords one which is about 20 years old. I use a hockey puck on the platform to protect the underside of the car.
£50 will get you a good one. Completely disagree with people saying just use the widow makers. Even if just changing a wheel I wouldn't do it without a trolley jack.
They are a worthwhile investment.