HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-10-29, Page 29Jacks for the dodityoursel
The jack in your car's trunk is intended
for one use only — the occasional tire
change. And for that purpose, it's more than
adequate.
However, this original equipment jack
isn't adequate for use in auto repair and
maintenance. It's simply too inconvenient,
too hard to use, and in many cases,
downright dangerous.
That's why serious do-it-yourself
mechanics use aftermarket jacks that are
designed with auto repair in mind. These
jacks,, sold in auto parts stores, specialty,
houses, discount stores and department
stores, provide the mechanic with safe, effi-
cient, easy-to-use lifting power.
There are three main types of jacks
available: Scissors jacks, hydraulic hand
jacks, and service (on floor) jacks. In addi-
tion, no home garage should be without a
sturdy pair or welded jack stands to provide
Secure support for raised vehicles.
Imported Factors
The type and amount of lifting work you'll
be doing, along with your budget, should
determine which jack type you buy.
If you're on a tight budget and need a jack,
only for the occasional brake job or the like,
an aftermarket scissors jack will probably
be your best choice.
Though aftermarket scissors jacks are
mechanic
much like their original equipment counter-
parts, there are important differences bet-
ween the two — differences that make the
aftermarket unit much more suitable for
automotive repair use.
An aftermarket scissors jack has a saddle
Paige 7
(the top part of the jack) that will lift a car
by its axle. On the other hand, most original
equipment, jacks are designed to only lift a
certain model of car from certain points on
that car's chassis. They can't safely lift a
car by its axle.
And since original equipment jacks can't
lift -from the axle; they can't safely raise a
car to the height where jack stands can be
placed underneath. This lack of safety is
reason enough not to use original equipment
jacks for a purpose they weren't designed to
handle.
But there are other reasons for using an
aftermarket scissors jack. Many after-
market units offer additional refinements —
like longer handles, wider bases and more
durable construction — that are considered
unnecessary for limited -use original equip-
ment jacks.
Hydraulic hand jacks are more expensive
than scissors jacks — but they are easier to
use. Instead of the cranking action
necessary to operate a scissorsack, a
hydraulic model can be raised and lowered
with a few pumps of its handle.
This operating convenience makes a
hydraulic hand jack worth its extra cost for
the mechanic who has a moderate amount
of lifting work. Because they use fluid,
Turn to page 9 •
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