Hey Jack, You Gotta a Jack?
 

So what's with the screw jacks? One of mine rusted out, and the other one couldn't hold the weight of the car, and bent sideways while I was looking at the CV boots. I could use 2, but need a least 1. Or is there an aftermarket one that can be purchased?

Re: Hey Jack, You Gotta a Jack?
 

The SVX "death jack" is the most dangerous thing ever. It's actually identical in design to the one that comes on Audi S8s, and someone in the S8 club was just killed when his car fell on him.

Don't use these things! Go to the store and buy a decent quality hydraulic jack.

Re: Hey Jack, You Gotta a Jack?
 

And always, ALWAYS use jackstands. Never trust any jack, leadscrew, hydraulic or otherwise, to support a car.

Re: Hey Jack, You Gotta a Jack?
 

yepp
also the way the svx jacks are setup they will dig into asphalt especially on a warm day ( believe it happened to a member who was trying to change his spare on the street)

Re: Hey Jack, You Gotta a Jack?
 

I used to carry the 1.5 ton aluminum racing jack from Harbor Freight in my trunk. It was strong enough and had enough lift that if you jacked up behind the front tire it would allow the rear tire to come off the ground.

Great for autocross where you change from street to track tires. Always worked perfectly and NEVER had it fail.

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c...mage_10104.jpg

http://www.harborfreight.com/rapid-p...ack-68054.html



I bought their 1.5 ton scissor jack to see how it would do. Requires a little more time and effort to do the same job, but much less cumbersome and a lot lighter. Doesn't lift it quite as high but more than adequate.

Tested it in my garage by jacking up one side from the front with the racing jack and the other side with the scissor jack so that both front wheels were off the ground.

I then lowered the racing jack slightly to see if the scissor jack would do its job. Then released the aluminum jack completely and let the scissor jack bear the entire weight, No problem at all so now that one is in my trunk.

http://www.harborfreight.com/media/c...image_1966.jpg


http://www.harborfreight.com/1-1-2-h...ack-66907.html


I carry an 8" x 8" piece of 3/4" plywood also to use as a base if need be.


I still have a pristine SVX jack, never used. Heard to many horror stories about how often these things FAIL.


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Re: Hey Jack, You Gotta a Jack?
 

svxcess....THANX. I'll pick up at least 1 scissors jack. I wasn't sure if they would fit over the frame, and I didn't want it coming up through the floor if it were placed in the wrong place.

Gamesy....You're right. I have the divots in my driveway from having the jack sink into the asphalt

Re: Hey Jack, You Gotta a Jack?
 

You rotate the top portion of the jack to that the pinch weld in within the slot. This is the same point that the original jack uses..


I may take photos to add to this post.

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Re: Hey Jack, You Gotta a Jack?
 

Nah, no need for pics, I got ya. Sliding the original jack over that pinch point was always a lotta fun.

Re: Hey Jack, You Gotta a Jack?
 

Just for fun, I looked at the jack that came with my 2010 Outback.

It is the same screw-type scissor configuration as the one from Harbor Freight, and although it looks sturdier, it only has a weight limit of about 1980 lbs. The Harbor Freight unit has a rating of 3,000 lb.

The list price for the Subaru jack is just under $100.00. The one-piece jack handle is extra and is $47.00.

Tried them both on the rear wheel of the SVX tonight to compare. No difference to speak of.

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The screw jacks the SVX came with are for road-side tire changes when that is the best option. They are not intended to be used for regular maintenance.
If you are using them while you are under the car, you're doing it wrong.