need a new trolly jack.

gilbert_and_sullivan

You can't expect a toy jack to do the job of a proper one, size matters here, but most importantly your safety, and to a lesser extent the underside of your car when lifted by a jack with a tennis ball sized cup that won't roll in as the car raises.
Think of this as an investment, a proper jack will cost around £200 upwards if carefully investigated and sought, thats nothing when it will last around 25 years or more of very regular use, and nothing compared with the consequences of a slippage or failure.

You could do worse than look at a Weber as a basic standard to judge the market by, pay particular attention to the wheels (rubber inserts for quiet running) and the method of finely controlling lowering valve compared to Chinese tat.

http://www.weberuk.com/

PTE is as good a place as any to buy from (nothing to do with me other than as a satisfied customer) http://www.pteonline.co.uk/home/

colino

The solution has already been mentioned, get a suitable strip of board to carry around with the jack for it to roll on and it will allow you to use it on softer surfaces too. The jacks fine, keep it lubed up and the system air free and it will last for years. Maybe invest in a new saddle pad if your car has awkward jacking points.

Norman_Castle

londonTiger wrote: »

just did a minor brake pad change, .

Is there a difference between a minor brake pad change and a brake pad change?.

bryanb

Norman_Castle wrote: »

Is there a difference between a minor brake pad change and a brake pad change?.

That'll be a Morris minor.:rotfl:

Edit. I thought MMs had drums though!

OnanTheBarbarian

The Clarke stuff from Machine Mart is decent quality for the money

FiremanDave

OnanTheBarbarian wrote: »

The Clarke stuff from Machine Mart is decent quality for the money

Best to sign up and get it vat free.

Hyperxr

OP have you considered car ramps? Depending on your type of vehicle it may be easier to use ramps instead of a trolley jack and axle stands. On some cars, you would need low profile jack and jack adaptor pads, or rish damaging the underside of the body if you don't jack at the right points.

I would use ramps (and chokes) if you have a low clearance vehicle and only with to do simple things like oil changes. A good on, although expensive, is the RR-56. Just google 'race ramp uk.'

If you have a vehicle that isn't low then you can use a standard set of ramps from Halfords.

espresso

londonTiger wrote: »

Had a few difficult situations caused by a cheap trolly jack from lidl.

There is nothing wrong with the jack, it is the idiot using it that is the problem!

AdrianC

Hyperxr wrote: »

OP have you considered car ramps? Depending on your type of vehicle it may be easier to use ramps instead of a trolley jack and axle stands.

Bit of a non-starter for brake pad changes, or anything else that requires the wheels to be removed.

Norman_Castle

londonTiger wrote: »

Had a few difficult situations caused by a cheap trolly jack from lidl.

Basically the wheels on them aren't great and the jack doesn't move forward as the jacking arm elevates.

Any suggestions?

Replacing the organic component attached to the lifting handle should solve the problem.