lidl £20 trolley jacks - worth it?

Norman_Castle

in order to do gearbox oil changes (needs to be flat off the ground)

Needs to be level to fill correctly. Raise the car for access. Remove plug and drain. Lower to finish draining. Raise to refit plug. Lower and fill. Use tube if needed. Much easier and safer than raising the whole car.
I use a small 20+ year old Draper trolley jack which was a cheaper model when new. Its needed oil occasionally, otherwise its been fine.

Strider590

Norman_Castle wrote: »

I use a small 20+ year old Draper trolley jack which was a cheaper model when new. Its needed oil occasionally, otherwise its been fine.

The one I use is very old too, my father used it 20 years ago for the classic Jag he was restoring. I've no idea what brand or the original cost, but it's got solid metal castors, sits low and looks like it'd hold a bus, looks "made in England" :cool:

colino

For the little real use it will get, get it bought. Not only incredibly versatile, but with their built in factor of safety, very durable too. Keep it in the closed position when not in use, keep it misted over with a covering of oil (the oily rag should never have gone out of fashion) and don't abuse it. It, even with it's humble origins, will then outlast you.

agrinnall

If it's occasional use (I use one twice a year for changing wheels with winter and summer tyres) then I'd agree with colino that it's a good deal. Obviously you wouldn't want to work under the car with a cheap jack, or probably even an expensive one, but for changing wheels it's fine.

vikingaero

I don't see the problem with these jacks for occasional use. Sure if you are an avid car DIYer every weekend then buy quality. It's like a Poundland basin/tap wrench - you only need one once every 5-10 years - it does it job well if you are careful, and there is no need to pay £14.99 to Homebase or B&Q.

SailorSam

It's 50yrs now since i got mu first car, a Moggy Minor i learnt to do any work on it and only had a simple scissor jack. I cringe now to think how i spent hours under the car with only that holding it up. Now i've got a decent trolley jack but still don't get under the car without using axle stands.
I think that Lidl one is good enough to keep in the boot if you need it in an emergency but if you're intending to do bigger work at home look for something better.

londonTiger

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Needs to be level to fill correctly. Raise the car for access. Remove plug and drain. Lower to finish draining. Raise to refit plug. Lower and fill. Use tube if needed. Much easier and safer than raising the whole car.
I use a small 20+ year old Draper trolley jack which was a cheaper model when new. Its needed oil occasionally, otherwise its been fine.

yep, I really don't liek getting under the car lifted on jack & axel stands, i use a ramp for the front wheels. It's pretty safe to lift off the whole car when 2 wheels are on ramps and the back end are in stands.

What i'd like to do is get the front on the ramp, uplug the gearbox plug and then lift up the rear temporarily using a jack (or level the car) and then lower it back down when the gearbox is emptied, get underneath the car when done, and then lift up the rear again to level it. (dont see the point in puttin the rear on axle stands for this,

londonTiger

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

http://www.weberuk.com/shop/standard-trolley-jacks/wdk20/

You find these in tyre changing bays and professional garages, search around and you will find one of these for £245 incl VAT del and optional rubber saddle cushion (cheapest source when i bought was PTEonline), made in the EU not China.

A jack of this quality will last the regular user 30 years, thats how long my previous quality model lasted,

this is good. But overkill for domestic use. I'll buy a sealey one for around £110. It's a long lever http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-3001LE-Trolley-Yankee-3tonne/dp/B000RO1ZUI

n.b. just linking to amazon now - but have seen it elsewhere for 110 delivered.

forgotmyname

With that litttle jack i do hope you call for an ambulance 1st.

As you attempt to jack the rear you will be pulling the front off the ramps.
Also the lift amount will be small. Its OK for changing a wheel not much else.

7.5" lift thats all.. You will lose a couple of inches of that to take the slack up also.

You want proper tools for the job. You will just be wasting your money.
Spend a ton of time anr/or money trying to make it do what you want.

StrongWork

I've been using one from Halfords for the last few years. I don't remember how much it cost at the time but I note on the website you can get it for £32. Not had any issues with it and used it an a lot of different cars. Build quality seems reasonable.

There's another one on the website which is reduced from £37 to £22 which is probably also worth a look.

I'd say both a fine for most applications (occasional under car action) and unless you are a super keen enthusiast, won't require that much more than that.

Do use axle stands however, these can be picked up for about £20/pair.