Tools & Fabrication Hand | Power | Hydraulic | Pneumatic | Welding | Painting

WARNING: Sears floor jacks blow

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 12, 2006 | 08:29 PM
  #1  
Manic Mechanic's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 464
Likes: 1
From: Magnolia, Texas
Default WARNING: Sears floor jacks blow

I bought one of the aluminum types for about $200 in Dec. 2004. Made in China, great. It came low on jack oil and I had to buy some to get it to work. Dec. 2005 it quits. Sears only warrantys it 90 days. Sears won't service floor jacks even though all their floor jack advertisements say "We service what we sell." you can go online and check. Sears currently doesn't offer repair parts for it and advise not to wait for them. So in other words you got a nice piece of scrap aluminum there buddy. Cost of ownership = $16.66 a month and major fustraition.

So I said "screw it". I needed another jack that day so this time I bought the Sears $70 SUV steel jack since I knew I couldn't get it repaired or buy parts and it was Sunday and NAPA was closed. Napa's jacks cost $250 or so. This was Dec. 3rd. Made in China, great. It came low on jack oil and I used some more from the bottle I bought last year to get it to work. Today, about the third or forth time I've tried to "home use" it the damn thing won't lift to the top. It's rated for 21" and gets 14". I can't put my car on stands. Guess what, it's 9 days out of warranty. Cost of ownership = $23.00 a month and fustration to the point of going out and paying what ever it costs to get a real jack that never came from a Chinese steel ship.

Sears has lost a customer, until they rectify this situation. I'm taking both of them back, IN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING thank you very much, and demanding satisfaction. Something tells me I'll be waisting my time.

Vernon
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2006 | 11:33 PM
  #2  
Grimes's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,636
Likes: 2
From: Northern NJ
Default

I have one that gave out on me after couple years. I have the suv one you speak of now. Unfortuantely more and more things are made in china. My new Motorola cell phone is from there! Companies have to make sure that quality control is there - as time progresses more stuff from china will be better. But I do feel your pain.

If you make a really big stink, ask for the manager, then threaten to talk to the regional manager about it, you may get a replacement for free.
Reply
Old Mar 12, 2006 | 11:47 PM
  #3  
CRASH 02's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 870
Likes: 0
From: OKC, OK
Default

I had one of the $200 pieces of crap also. I took it back and ended up with the AC hydraulics DK 20. http://www.asedeals.com/hydraulicjacks2.html
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2006 | 02:01 PM
  #4  
JDM_99Z's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Logansport, IN
Default

Advance Auto $60 3 1/2 ton floor jack. I've had it for 3 yrs + and its still works good as new and I use it a lot. It doesn't fit under the brush guard on my Camaro but you can slide it in from in front of the front tires and it'll fit perfect.
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2006 | 02:42 PM
  #5  
scrmnws6's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 955
Likes: 0
From: Chicago burbs
Default

Looks like you should've bought your floor jack from Costco. Lifetime warranty.

It is a low profile jack and should fit under your car no problem.
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2006 | 03:05 PM
  #6  
JTM's Avatar
JTM
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 444
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa , Oklahoma
Default

I had the aluminum one from sears too, it quit working after a few uses. It had a 1 year warranty on it, so I got a new one... that one did the same thing. It wasn't low on fluid either, they are extremely light.. they just aren't dependable lol. Nothing is more frustrating than needing to work on your car and your jack won't work.
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2006 | 03:15 PM
  #7  
JustAnIlluzion's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (60)
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,707
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Default

ive been rocking this for about a year

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...temnumber=4172
Reply
Old Mar 13, 2006 | 05:20 PM
  #8  
98Ztwentyeight's Avatar
Banned
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: OKC OK
Default

I have had 3 sears jacks that have failed

each after 8 months of useand that was only on the

weekends! I will never buy a craftsman labled jack again

I bought one from harbor freight paid 99.99 bough the larger

one and i have been happy for 3 years now.



I bought one last xmas from pep boys

it had really cool lookin red anodized frame to it

came with 2 jack stands and its a total piece too

it looks cool though

BUY A LINCOLN JACK! i used one of those for 10 years when

i was a tech in the dealer and so did everyone else in the shop

and we beat the hell out of it!

Last edited by 98Ztwentyeight; Mar 13, 2006 at 05:36 PM.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 08:27 PM
  #9  
01 Red WS6's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,276
Likes: 1
From: Arlington TX
Default

I have a Craftsman jack that I've had since December and I have no complaints... It's gotten more than it's fair share of use so far too. I think after all the work I've done with it I've gotten my use out of it already.


also the aluminum ones have a history of not lasting long
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 08:53 PM
  #10  
antz01ta's Avatar
10 Second Club + 14 Second Truck Club
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 493
Likes: 0
From: Ne Pa
Default

i have one of the aluminum ones that my wife bought me for christmas, used it 3 times and it now does not work. real pos if you ask me, the 3 ton steel floor jack from northern tool is still kickin after 3 years.
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 09:15 PM
  #11  
cantdrv65's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,202
Likes: 0
From: TEXASS
Post

I have two of the 2.5ton 40 dollar craftsman floor jacks which is all I need to put my Z06 up on jackstands. Suprisingly, these really cheap jacks have lasted about two years so far. I do remember when you could count on floor jacks to last a lifetime however....
Reply
Old Mar 14, 2006 | 11:32 PM
  #12  
evrae205's Avatar
On The Tree
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: cullman,AL
Default

exactly why i only buy craftsman hand tools.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2006 | 09:08 PM
  #13  
frcefed98's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,907
Likes: 6
From: Albuquerque, NM
Default

Well ****, I thought I was going to post something unique My aluminum Craftsman jack puked its guys after about 1 year of use. I have a 7 yr old NAPA 3 ton floor jack that is still going strong...and I leave that thing outside all year long. But I kept my nice lil aluminum jack in the garage and it pissed out all its fluid while jacking up the car today Glad I saw that sears won't warranty them in this post
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2006 | 10:00 PM
  #14  
brad8266's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 0
From: Watertown, NY
Default

Originally Posted by Manic Mechanic
I bought one of the aluminum types for about $200 in Dec. 2004. Made in China, great. It came low on jack oil and I had to buy some to get it to work. Dec. 2005 it quits. Sears only warrantys it 90 days. Sears won't service floor jacks even though all their floor jack advertisements say "We service what we sell." you can go online and check. Sears currently doesn't offer repair parts for it and advise not to wait for them. So in other words you got a nice piece of scrap aluminum there buddy. Cost of ownership = $16.66 a month and major fustraition.

So I said "screw it". I needed another jack that day so this time I bought the Sears $70 SUV steel jack since I knew I couldn't get it repaired or buy parts and it was Sunday and NAPA was closed. Napa's jacks cost $250 or so. This was Dec. 3rd. Made in China, great. It came low on jack oil and I used some more from the bottle I bought last year to get it to work. Today, about the third or forth time I've tried to "home use" it the damn thing won't lift to the top. It's rated for 21" and gets 14". I can't put my car on stands. Guess what, it's 9 days out of warranty. Cost of ownership = $23.00 a month and fustration to the point of going out and paying what ever it costs to get a real jack that never came from a Chinese steel ship.

Sears has lost a customer, until they rectify this situation. I'm taking both of them back, IN THE ORIGINAL PACKAGING thank you very much, and demanding satisfaction. Something tells me I'll be waisting my time.

Vernon
Thats why I buy the cheap *** 17$ autozone jack, lol. I buy it and it usually lasts over a year.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2006 | 10:38 PM
  #15  
my01camaroz28's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Junction City, Kansas
Default

I bought one earlier this year and it went out after about 5 uses. It would pump up one big time and then stop raising. I took it back outside of the 90 day warranty and complained enough. I told them I am not buying another $166 peice of crap, just give me another one so I don't make a scene. It worked, but I think this second one is going to quite on my also.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2006 | 11:10 PM
  #16  
phantomzer0's Avatar
TECH Veteran
15 Year Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,381
Likes: 2
From: Lockport, IL
Default

i used to work for sears. those aluminum jacks are pieces of ****. get one of the bigger iron ones. yeah, they are a **** load heavier but they do no break....ever.
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2006 | 01:05 AM
  #17  
Moparnos (The SLP Guy)'s Avatar
Flossin' twin turbos
iTrader: (55)
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,148
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Default

i have a craftsman jack for 3 years no problems, it's not the aluminum though hehe
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2006 | 04:48 PM
  #18  
H8 LUZN's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: Down Under
Default

Yeah i got the aluminum Craftsman jack too... its given me some trouble here and there and i've only had it 6months. Some days it decides it doesnt want to work, other days.. works fine..

One thing i have found is that it works better if some pressure is kept in it and some weight on it when not in use. I usually dont have a problem then.

I wish i woulda known the crappy nature of this jack prior to my purchase... oh well
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2006 | 11:33 PM
  #19  
VETTEX2's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 238
Likes: 0
From: NOR-CAL
Default

Originally Posted by phantomzer0
i used to work for sears. those aluminum jacks are pieces of ****. get one of the bigger iron ones. yeah, they are a **** load heavier but they do no break....ever.
my heavy duty metal ones are 25+ years old and work fine
Reply
Old Mar 19, 2006 | 11:56 PM
  #20  
Birdman7389's Avatar
On The Tree
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: home of the Governator
Default

I have the heavy duty steel one, and not one squeek out of it yet. I have used it ALOT in the last year. 1 Trans swap, 2 clutches, engine rebuild, oil pan and rear main seal....... damn I use it alot
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:30 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE