HF transmission jack, any good?

ptschram · Feb 5, 2012

The silly part was that the forum you used to support your argument mirrored this one with a single example of failure.

So far, I think that I am the only one who has posted who has personal experience with all three of the referenced transmission jacks.

We have very few examples of Harbor Freight hydraulic failures. From a statistical perspective, if they were half as dangerous as you seem to think they are, we'd have far more examples far more easily found through a simple Google search.

Consequently, I think that they are safe enough for use under most conditions.

twincam00 · Feb 5, 2012

lennoxlennox · Feb 5, 2012

ptschram said:
The silly part was that the forum you used to support your argument mirrored this one with a single example of failure.

So far, I think that I am the only one who has posted who has personal experience with all three of the referenced transmission jacks.

We have very few examples of Harbor Freight hydraulic failures. From a statistical perspective, if they were half as dangerous as you seem to think they are, we'd have far more examples far more easily found through a simple Google search.

Consequently, I think that they are safe enough for use under most conditions.

well it's like I said to you, that's great for you and glad it works for you

My opinion and my choice based on my experience and my reasons as previously stated are why I choose not to use it and not to recommend it.

and i think your points are valid, from your perspective, not mine

(and i don't think your opinion is silly)

lennoxlennox · Feb 5, 2012

next time... i'll just nod and say yes

Hiball · Feb 5, 2012

LOL... At this thread. The Biggest issue ive noticed with the Cheaper Transmision Jacks is there lack of Adjustments, Its not as noticable with smaller Transmissions but when you start trying to line up Truck transmissions with T-Cases Mated to them it becomes a Problem. I wont comment on the HF Lift because i have NO first hand knowledge. I Will say that "High End" Transmission Jacks (Especially Floor Models) Dont sit around the shop very long and they are Extremely Pricey New. Its one of those Specialty tools that for the Guy that is gonna only replace a Handful of Transmission Jacks over there lifetime its probably not a bad investment. I can comment on the HF jacks in general, I field PM's/Emails/Phone Calls/Shop Visits Daily and The Failure Rate is Above Average. Ive Stated this Many.. Many times.. Its not he Hydraulic System that is Bad, Its the Cost Crunching in the Seal/Metal Fitment where they Fail. As Always with any Hydraulic Jack, They only need to be utilized to Lift the Load. Once the Load is Up, Stick some Stands under the Load.

Danglerb · Feb 5, 2012

Jacks are dangerous. If you think a super expensive high quality jack isn't dangerous, time for a refresher course on math.

Jacks need inspection.
Jacks need to be used within load limits.

My personal preference would be to find a good old jack, instead of a new cheap one.

Myself and most of the rest of the internet don't really care about any paper on your walls, we look at what you say and judge by that. When you say everything at HF is ****, most of us take that to mean you don't know what you are talking about no matter how you wrap it in certificates.

kythri · Feb 5, 2012

I lied. I wasn't going to respond, but, something needs to be clarified:

Nobody cares that you don't like the jack in question (or HF, for that matter). What people have obviously been concerned about were the increasingly spurious claims (claims that are in direct opposition to the plentiful claims on this very forum) that kept cropping up when you attempted to backup earlier claims in an attempt to justify your opinion.

And for the record, "negative opinion" isn't a barb. It's a statement that your opinion is the opposite of a "positive opinion".

Moose-LandTran · Feb 5, 2012

SCscoutguy said:
I have the scissor one and used to to remove several transmission and it worked fine until the day one of the pins on the hinges broke and a 727 fell to the ground and almost killed me. I then went and bought the biggest one they have and have done probably 10+ transmission swaps with it and haven't had a single problem. I have had it for 6 year and it is really a well built jack and does a great job.

I have the same one (in red) and it's awesome. Gets used all the time, everything front small FWD boxes to large van and small commercial truck gearboxes. Also use it for supporting engines when changing timing belts and such.

2-way tilting table is a must, too.

ptschram · Feb 5, 2012

Lennox-have you owned, and/or used an HF transmission jack?

djkeev · Apr 26, 2012

I recently purchased the red hydraulic HF transmission jack rated at 800 pounds. #3185

I'm doing a new clutch in a 95 Toyota 4x4 3.0 5speed Pickup.
To say this job is a hard nasty job would be an understatement! I've had nothing but trouble with frozen bolts, rust, and damaged items left behind by a careless PO or previous shop! Broken bolts that were never dealt with and missing hardware.

The one problem I haven't had is with the jack.

I've done a lot of clutches over the decades but almost always with an aluminum transmission to deal with. No real weight to them. I knew this sucker was going to weigh in and didn't want to hurt myself while lying on my back under a truck!

This jack worked superbly! In and out without an issues at all. I'd recommend It for the weekend warrior mechanic for sure.

Money well spent! I could throw it away tomorrow and be satisfied!

A few photos of the jack in action......

Dave

91bronc300 · Apr 26, 2012

djkeev, I have the same ****** jack that you do. I do the 4 speeds and gear driven t-cases in old trucks and that jack has never given me trouble. Other than I wish the platform's lowest point was a little lower. Otherwise, it's been fine for me.

djkeev · Apr 26, 2012

91bronc300 said:
djkeev, I have the same ****** jack that you do. I do the 4 speeds and gear driven t-cases in old trucks and that jack has never given me trouble. Other than I wish the platform's lowest point was a little lower. Otherwise, it's been fine for me.

I agree about the "lower" part! When you put the ****** on the jack, you've got to jack the vehicle up even higher to roll it under the chassis. Overall a very minor irritation!

Dave

87FoRunner · Apr 26, 2012

Just did the same thing as you but swapped autos in a 3.0 4Runner.

I used a small floor jack to give some extra support to the transfer case area and it also helped with cocking the trans and alleviating some weight. I have no complaints with my HF trans jack.

metalhead212121 · Apr 26, 2012

damn Dave!! 3 jacks for one clutch.. cant say I blame you.. that trans weighs a ton! I hope you're putting anti seize on everything!

ElectroLight · Apr 26, 2012

DodgeZ said:
http://www.harborfreight.com/450-lb-capacity-transmission-jack-39178.html

What is the feedback on this thing? I need to pull the auto trans from my truck. It is going to be rare that I'll need to use again after this job.

If you just want to talk trash because you hate HF please start your own thread.

DodgeZ, having balanced my F250's T-19 on a floor jack last time around (not gonna do that again!), i too was interested in hearing peoples experience with the HF trans jacks. But it true GJ fashion the haters showed up right out of the box... In any event I did learn some from those that contributed.

lennoxlennox said:
next time... i'll just nod and say yes

Next time please respect the wishes of the OP as outlined in his initial post (see above), your participation added nothing to this thread!

ptschram said:
Lennox-have you owned, and/or used an HF transmission jack?

Really? I'm guessing that would be a NO

RangerDaleXp · Apr 26, 2012

ElectroLight said:
DodgeZ, having balanced my F250's T-19 on a floor jack last time around (not gonna do that again!), i too was interested in hearing peoples experience with the HF trans jacks. But it true GJ fashion the haters showed up right out of the box... In any event I did learn some from those that contributed.

Next time please respect the wishes of the OP as outlined in his initial post (see above), your participation added nothing to this thread!

Really? I'm guessing that would be a NO

I agree, It is very annoying. :+1:

NC-Fordguy · Apr 26, 2012

lennoxlennox said:
just a final thought on this...

if your mechanics tool box is filled with HF... take your car somewhere else

that says more about the quality of your mechanic than anything else, and the type of job you will get

still don't believe me? would you like your surgeon to be using HF tools if they were available???

Their tools says a lot about how they view their profession (I can hear the howls now)

Last time I took my bronco to a shop it was for an oil change. The guy and his buddy both had snap on boxes full of snap on tools.

Neither could drive the Bronco on the lift (3 on the tree), I had to even show the "ASE certified mechanic" where to put the oil.

Went I went back into the shop to drive it off the lift, the mechanic tells me the catalytic converter is missing and he was trying to locate one (1966 model Bronco)

I came to 2 conclusions--

Tools do not make the mechanic. As much as they had spent (likely paying more than my home mortgage) you'd figure they would be NASA engineers.

I will not ever take my trucks into a shop full of tool truck boxes ever again no matter how pressed for time I am or how many projects are in my garage. Trying to pay for that expensive box full of over priced tools by wanting to put a cat on a 66 bronco---yea right

HF transmission jack, any good?

ptschram

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twincam00

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lennoxlennox

Banned

lennoxlennox

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Hiball

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Danglerb

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kythri

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Moose-LandTran

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ptschram

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djkeev

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91bronc300

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djkeev

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87FoRunner

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metalhead212121

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ElectroLight

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RangerDaleXp

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NC-Fordguy

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