Topic: DIY seasonal wheel changeover

[Gurgie]

I don't have a table saw

I actually don't see the need for the hockey puck even... you guys are princesses using those! With the jack No-san bought, just have to make sure that the pinch seem lines up in the grooves of the jack & then lift the car up... does no damage & supports the car just fine to change the tire... been doing it that way for 20yrs hassle free 

And as for the anti-seize, never used that and really only ever needed it on 1 car, my Altima! The centre bore on my winter steelies would fuse to the hub thru the winter, but a 5lb mallet tapped on the inside of the wheel would knock it off in 1 blow... problem solved 

[Noto]

No offense, No-San, I'm sure you're a boss lawyer, but I'm guessing you have NEVER had a manual labour type job, or any job that required use of your hands?

Some taken, but you're absolutely correct that manual labour is not my forte.  I'm ok with that and have admitted my limitations - at least I'm trying to start doing things on my own.

The manual for the jack I bought is online, and it shows:

Rated capacity: 3 tons (2721 kg)
Lift range: 7 1/2 - 19" (19 - 48 cm), screw in
 9 1/2 - 21" (24 - 53 cm), screw out
Net weight: 41 lb 14 oz (19 kg)

...so, yeah, that has to go back, unfortunately.

I guess the non-package, non-SUV equivalent would be this one:
http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/motomaster-garage-jack-2-5-ton-0091529p.html#srp

...it's $10 more, but lacks the jack stands.

Other options:

Costco - $149, low profile, but still double what I paid:
https://www.costco.ca/Arcan-3-ton-Professional-Grade-Hybrid-Service-Jack.product.100317470.html

Walmart - $60, low profile, cheaper, but I'm sure it's a POS:
https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/blackjack-professional-low-profile-service-jack-25-ton-capacity/6000188098434

Princess Auto has this one on sale for $119, but again, more $ and no stands (yes, I know, not necessary):
https://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/2-ton-xtra-low-profile-floor-jack/A-p8486698e

Partsource has one in its flyer for 20% off - $103, includes stands:
http://www.partsource.ca/en/flyer.html

Any thoughts?

[Gurgie]

Maybe Firm can let you know when this is expected to go on sale (if you really want jack stands) http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/low-profile-aluminum-steel-jack-stand-combo-2-ton-2996002p.html#srp

[tortoise]

If you're just changing tires, why bother with the jack stands?

[Noto]

If you're just changing tires, why bother with the jack stands?

I don't need them - if they come with a package, great, but I won't say no go a good jack just because it doesn't come with stands, and I won't buy stands separately.

[Gurgie]

This one is on sale http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/certified-jack-and-axle-stand-kit-3-ton-0091055p.html#srp

[Noto]

This one is on sale http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/certified-jack-and-axle-stand-kit-3-ton-0091055p.html#srp

It's apparently a true POS, likely to last for less than 2 years (according to the CT guy).  If I'm buying one that'll just last a year or two, I might as well buy the $20 one from Home Depot.

The Costco one honestly seems like the best one so far.  I mean, look at the marketing picture - it's busty woman friendly



...I just have to stomach $150.

[mlin32]

Maybe Firm can let you know when this is expected to go on sale (if you really want jack stands) http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/low-profile-aluminum-steel-jack-stand-combo-2-ton-2996002p.html#srp

I like the aluminium low-profile floor jacks- it's what I have to use for the 325i because it sits so low to the ground. Honestly, I recommend buying a slightly nicer jack so it'll last multiple seasons. It was frustrating whenever I had to shell out every year or so for a new lift, not to mention rearranging my plans.........."sh*t now I have to drive to the hardware store and do the work in the afternoon"

[Firm]

Maybe Firm can let you know when this is expected to go on sale (if you really want jack stands) http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/low-profile-aluminum-steel-jack-stand-combo-2-ton-2996002p.html#srp

I like the aluminium low-profile floor jacks- it's what I have to use for the 325i because it sits so low to the ground. Honestly, I recommend buying a slightly nicer jack so it'll last multiple seasons. It was frustrating whenever I had to shell out every year or so for a new lift, not to mention rearranging my plans.........."sh*t now I have to drive to the hardware store and do the work in the afternoon"

The jack Gurgie linked is the one I am currently using at home. I like it, it's nothing special but it gets the job done, feels secure and the release is nice and slow. PM me for more info

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Maybe Firm can let you know when this is expected to go on sale (if you really want jack stands) http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/low-profile-aluminum-steel-jack-stand-combo-2-ton-2996002p.html#srp

I like the aluminium low-profile floor jacks- it's what I have to use for the 325i because it sits so low to the ground. Honestly, I recommend buying a slightly nicer jack so it'll last multiple seasons. It was frustrating whenever I had to shell out every year or so for a new lift, not to mention rearranging my plans.........."sh*t now I have to drive to the hardware store and do the work in the afternoon"

LOL.  The rearranging plans bit and driving to the hardware store reminds of doing brake jobs on my vehicles when I was young and single.  I'd disassemble the brakes in the parking lot of my apartment building, then wrap the rotors in towels and throw them in my backpack.  I'd then ride my bike to the closest Partsource and get them to turn the rotors for me, at the same time buying new pads.  Then ride home and complete the brake job.  These days rotors are disposable parts, so you just buy new ones before you start the job.

[Fobroader]

Maybe Firm can let you know when this is expected to go on sale (if you really want jack stands) http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/low-profile-aluminum-steel-jack-stand-combo-2-ton-2996002p.html#srp

I like the aluminium low-profile floor jacks- it's what I have to use for the 325i because it sits so low to the ground. Honestly, I recommend buying a slightly nicer jack so it'll last multiple seasons. It was frustrating whenever I had to shell out every year or so for a new lift, not to mention rearranging my plans.........."sh*t now I have to drive to the hardware store and do the work in the afternoon"

The jack Gurgie linked is the one I am currently using at home. I like it, it's nothing special but it gets the job done, feels secure and the release is nice and slow. PM me for more info

I've had that units great grandfather and grandfather.....got lots of use when I was offroading the Jeep, yeah, not great and only got about a year out of one and about 3 years out of the other but that was using them hell of a lot more than two tire changes per year.

[Firm]

Mine is probably 2-3 years old now. Used at least 2-3 time a month in the non-winter months, but I am not excessively rough with it.

[Arthur Dent]

This one is on sale http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/certified-jack-and-axle-stand-kit-3-ton-0091055p.html#srp

It's apparently a true POS, likely to last for less than 2 years (according to the CT guy).  If I'm buying one that'll just last a year or two, I might as well buy the $20 one from Home Depot.

The Costco one honestly seems like the best one so far.  I mean, look at the marketing picture - it's busty woman friendly



...I just have to stomach $150.

I have that jack but in blue. It is a lot heavier than that photo implies. It does have good range of motion though.

[mlin32]

Maybe Firm can let you know when this is expected to go on sale (if you really want jack stands) http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/low-profile-aluminum-steel-jack-stand-combo-2-ton-2996002p.html#srp

I like the aluminium low-profile floor jacks- it's what I have to use for the 325i because it sits so low to the ground. Honestly, I recommend buying a slightly nicer jack so it'll last multiple seasons. It was frustrating whenever I had to shell out every year or so for a new lift, not to mention rearranging my plans.........."sh*t now I have to drive to the hardware store and do the work in the afternoon"

LOL.  The rearranging plans bit and driving to the hardware store reminds of doing brake jobs on my vehicles when I was young and single.  I'd disassemble the brakes in the parking lot of my apartment building, then wrap the rotors in towels and throw them in my backpack.  I'd then ride my bike to the closest Partsource and get them to turn the rotors for me, at the same time buying new pads.  Then ride home and complete the brake job.  These days rotors are disposable parts, so you just buy new ones before you start the job.

That's just like me ! I don't frequently work on the car or bike, but yup, it's in the apartment side lot whenever I do have to do something like change oil or swap wheels, or check/inspect anything. When I was swapping out the fender on my bike last week, I got the occasional "whatcha doing?" comment from other residents.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Maybe Firm can let you know when this is expected to go on sale (if you really want jack stands) http://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/low-profile-aluminum-steel-jack-stand-combo-2-ton-2996002p.html#srp

I like the aluminium low-profile floor jacks- it's what I have to use for the 325i because it sits so low to the ground. Honestly, I recommend buying a slightly nicer jack so it'll last multiple seasons. It was frustrating whenever I had to shell out every year or so for a new lift, not to mention rearranging my plans.........."sh*t now I have to drive to the hardware store and do the work in the afternoon"

LOL.  The rearranging plans bit and driving to the hardware store reminds of doing brake jobs on my vehicles when I was young and single.  I'd disassemble the brakes in the parking lot of my apartment building, then wrap the rotors in towels and throw them in my backpack.  I'd then ride my bike to the closest Partsource and get them to turn the rotors for me, at the same time buying new pads.  Then ride home and complete the brake job.  These days rotors are disposable parts, so you just buy new ones before you start the job.

That's just like me ! I don't frequently work on the car or bike, but yup, it's in the apartment side lot whenever I do have to do something like change oil or swap wheels, or check/inspect anything. When I was swapping out the fender on my bike last week, I got the occasional "whatcha doing?" comment from other residents.

I'm lucky enough to have a my own driveway now.  However, it's gravel, so I have to put down a large piece of carboard in order to be 'comfortable'.

[HeliDriver]

Gravel is a big PITA to work on. Not only for the comfort factor, but also because floor jacks really don't like it. The wheels need to roll as the arm lifts up and back, and they just get stuck in the gravel, dragging the car sideways instead.

Hmm, I wonder if a thick (at least 3/4"?) piece of plywood under the jack would work?

And now that I think about it, using the floor jack on gravel was probably how I bent the pinch weld on the GTI. 

[tortoise]

Also when you drop stuff in gravel it's a MASSIVE PIA to find.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Tell me about it.

[Fobroader]

Also when you drop stuff in gravel it's a MASSIVE PIA to find.

X10000000......

[tpl]

Gravel is a big PITA to work on. Not only for the comfort factor, but also because floor jacks really don't like it. The wheels need to roll as the arm lifts up and back, and they just get stuck in the gravel, dragging the car sideways instead.

Hmm, I wonder if a thick (at least 3/4"?) piece of plywood under the jack would work?

And now that I think about it, using the floor jack on gravel was probably how I bent the pinch weld on the GTI. 

Yes.  I spent 13 years with just gravel to work on and I had, as you say, a good piece of 3/4" plywood, long enough for the jack to roll on. 3/4 ply was plenty strong enough for my E46 BMW anyway  An 18" piece cut of the end of a sheet so it was 4ft long.   Didn't mention it before as from the pic No-san will have a paved driveway.