Another D4 scissor jack failure.

[Fred Nerk]

I was playing today on the beach south of Beachport SA. For some reason we got a suspension error and down we went to the bump stops
We tried "wait and see". Then a hard reset etc and gave up. Limped back to the camp-site and decided to jack up the car and check the suspension rods etc.

I carry the OEM scissor jack because I can't get the hydraulic jack under the chassis unless the car is at off-road height. The car was very lightly loaded for beach driving. Level ground, in park, wheel chocks etc.

Well bugger me! The jack collapsed with out any warning. It twisted and folded. Hopeless! And Dangerous. I never trust any jack, but this is a hopeless situation. Please Land Rover put a serviceable jack in the cars. We would have been in big trouble if a wheel was off.

PS Suspension fault rectified itself after the car fell off the jack. Go figure!

[Ozzy119]

Like you say, lucky you didn't have a wheel off !

I've used mine more times than I can remember (quite a few for damaged wheel changes) and although I do wonder at its strength it has performed duty without issue.

[nat_89]

**** that's not good to hear at all bloody dangerous as you say darned scary!! Glad the suspension came back though and glad no injuries!!

[Eevo]

you need to let land rover know.
what would the coroner be saying if someone died?

[Graeme]

I suspect that because the jacking started with the vehicle very low that as the vehicle was raised the jack tilted due to the significant change in angle and possibly the position of the vehicle. Normally starting with the vehicle at off-road height, even with a flat tyre, the jack stays fairly upright.

[Fred Nerk]

I know that coroner would say that everyone should be reminded to not get under a car supported by a jack alone.

And the point about the angles changing may have some merit. It concerns me that the car is heavy, but the jack is light weight and under engineered.

[PhilipA]

The Range Rover Club has investigated dual stage hydraulic jacks and found one that suits, and AFAIR there is a thread here on a Mercedes van jack.
I measured a D2 jack based on the dimensions given either here or by the club ( I have a D2) and found it to be short enough and have sufficient lift, but everyone seems to think they are crap.

For the record I have 2 , one from my car with a bent shaft, which I don't know how it happened and one I bought for $40 from a Melbourne wrecker on Ebay. The one I bought doesn't leak.

The one with the bent shaft I was able to fix for light duty by just reaming out the "hole" in the top. But beware of dismantling the inner shaft as they have a seal that is made of unobtainium, but 2 ALDI orings seem to work.

FYI they look well made to me , if a very cost down exercise. There are two types, one with steel body and one with plastic. The body is only a fluid reservoir so it doesn't really matter.
Regards Philip A

[Redback]

I have the scissor jack in the garage, it's free to anyone who wants, I use the D2 jack and as a back up I have the D3 coiler jack, the coiler jack is a bit awkward as it's a wind up jobbie, but much better and safer than the OEM scissor jack, the D2 jack is brilliant.

Baz.

[Toxic_Avenger]

you need to let land rover know.
what would the coroner be saying if someone died?

Probably something along the lines of section 22 of the work health and safety act, which outlines the responsibilities of the designer of a plant, substance or structure to ensure that it is safe for its intended use.

Refer page 15:
http://www.legislation.act.gov.au/a/2011-35/current/pdf/2011-35.pdf

[~Rich~]

I carry three jacks!
The standard one.
A Mercedes Sprinter jack.
And an exhaust air jack.
Plus of course a jacking plate.

[Eevo]

but the jack is light weight and under engineered.

i think thats says it all.

[Eevo]

Probably something along the lines of section 22 of the work health and safety act, which outlines the responsibilities of the designer of a plant, substance or structure to ensure that it is safe for its intended use.

zing!

[jonesy63]

It is not just the D4 jack that is useless - the D3 one is the same. I used my D3 jack to change wheels - lasted for two wheels - on the driveway at home. Chewed out the thread - and it was clean/greased before use.

I have not used my D4 jack as I don't want to risk it. Useless PoS! :mad:

[Fatso]

Do bottle jacks etc fit under a disco or sport with a flat tyre ? .

[Graeme]

Probably something along the lines of section 22 of the work health and safety act, which outlines the responsibilities of the designer of a plant, substance or structure to ensure that it is safe for its intended use.LR state that the vehicle should be raised to off-road height. IMO if that can't be done then don't use the jack because the vehicle will lean and move sideways too much and cause undue stress on the jack. That's not to say that the jack is a good one to start with, but that it was used out of context. Using an hydraulic jack to raise from bump-stops to off-road height and more to get the tyre off the ground will also result in the jack failing to do the job, but it will fall over rather than self-destruct.

I would not try to jack one of these vehicles from the bump-stops by jacking 1 side of the chassis - its quite dangerous IMO.

[Don 130]

I don't know what you blokes need in a better jack for your Discos, but recently I bought a second hand Iveco daily jack. It's rated for 3.5 or 4.0 tonnes, has two hydraulic and one screw stage. Min height is 141mm, Max is 401mm. It's made by Coram, who make the jack provided with my 130.
Details are here (http://www.coramgroup.com/eng/Products/Hydraulic-jacks/Hydraulic-Jacks) I got the top one.
Don.

[LandyAndy]

Hi Don.
How much was it and where did you buy it????
Andrew

[Fred Nerk]

Do bottle jacks etc fit under a disco or sport with a flat tyre ? .

That is the problem. I am not aware of a hydraulic jack that will fit under the chassis when the car is on the bump stops and has sufficient extension to lift a wheel off the ground. I reckon it will always be a two jack solution.

[Don 130]

Hi Don.
How much was it and where did you buy it????
Andrew
G'day Andy,
I got it from HID spares (www.hiluxivecoducatospares.com.au). They charged me $88.00 for the jack and $33.00 Delivery.
The jack and handle were in brand new condition.
Don.

[LandyAndy]

Thanks.
I looked on Ebay,nothing available thats similar.
Andrew

[jonesy63]

That is the problem. I am not aware of a hydraulic jack that will fit under the chassis when the car is on the bump stops and has sufficient extension to lift a wheel off the ground. I reckon it will always be a two jack solution.

That is easily fixed - drive flat tyre onto spare tyre or a rock or log. Then use hydraulic jack as the D3/D4 jack is a death trap! :wasntme:

[AndyG]

I believe the 4 tonne 2 stage jack from SCA is a good option.

[mikeford]

I have bought a 1.7 ton low starting point ( 90mm ) trolley jack and a 600mm x 300mm x 5mm piece of ply wood. The jack fits under the "A" arms of the suspension and lifts the D4 easily, it needs to have a 90mm start height in order to fit under the front when the tyre is flat, the plywood is needed when off road. The jack is in a blow mould case, it is a bit bulky but is safe to use, the scissor jack is rubbish.

[BSM]

I reckon it will always be a two jack solution.
Couldn't agree more. I don't know why there's such a desire for a one Jack solution. I now carry two jacks as documented here (http://www.aulro.com/afvb/d3-d4-rrs/180334-d3-jack-replacement-solution-sorts.html). You can get the small Jack under the car when it's on its bump stops, and the larger one will take it up to full height.
Yes you need to swap Jacks around, but as you do, you can re-just angles to keep all the loads verticle, and also when at full height you can place the second Jack under the axle as a second support.

Using two jacks in this way has just got to be safer that one Jack alone. I'm not going for the super tall Merc Sprinter. Too precarious. I'lLstick with my two Jack solution thanks.

[Fatso]

Most scissor jacks are described as an emergency item in the car handbook , and they have to conform with Au ADR,s . This then leaves the use of them up to the individual who should use it accordingly , and be aware of their situation in doing so . This by no means says that a faulty part can not make the streets , but I find it hard believe that all these failures as described here and on other sites is the result of faulty jacks .

[ozscott]

Complain to LRA...they really need to be moving on this. The more written complaints the harder it is to do nothing...

Cheers

[plusnq]

Our D4 jack failed the first time it was used on a flat concrete driveway. LRA (Brisbane) swapped it out straight away.

Cheers

Shane

[ADMIRAL]

This may be of interest to D3/D4 owners. The ACCC is running a national surveillance program on the vehicle jacks. You can have look at what is involved here. https://www.productsafety.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/974838 ( you may have to copy and paste to your browser )
A part of the planned program includes randomly sourcing vehicle jacks, and testing them. Anyone spare a jack to send to them ?

[Redback]

This may be of interest to D3/D4 owners. The ACCC is running a national surveillance program on the vehicle jacks. You can have look at what is involved here. https://www.productsafety.gov.au/content/index.phtml/itemId/974838 ( you may have to copy and paste to your browser )
A part of the planned program includes randomly sourcing vehicle jacks, and testing them. Anyone spare a jack to send to them ?

I do, only used once.

Baz.

[Boggs]

Don't know if I'd even bother seeing LRA about it if all they are going to do is replace it with the same piece of manure.