Thread: Where to buy bottle jack ?

Originally Posted by DEFENDERZOOK

you havent changed many flats in the good ol days have you.....?
(neither have i..... )
the trick to that is........you drive up onto your spare......then jack up the car......

No I hadn't come across that trick....Next time.

Although I want my original bottle jack fixed

given that you're in Mt Waverley, I'd consider PCH's suggestion of Jack Specialists in Blackburn (Maroondah Hwy, between Middleborough & Blackburn Rds on the North side, opposite Kathmandu). Otherwise try the Trash & Treasure market in Wantirna. RangeRov in Mitcham may have a genuine one, or AVM in Ringwood. If kie4 in Perth has one for $25, you might be better off getting that posted.

Guys,

first of all thanks for all the plentyfull advise !
This is why I visit this forum like no other.

Secondly, I have spoken with kie4 and indeed he will post it to me.

But I think I need a couple of jacks (for under car maintenance) so I'll head up to Jack Specialists in the near future.

Originally Posted by Hombre

But I think I need a couple of jacks (for under car maintenance) so I'll head up to Jack Specialists in the near future.

Good call.

I bought a trolley jack from them probably 20 years ago.
One of the best investments I made.

As for the bottle jack - I'd forget it.
Mine failed to operate when I needed it (flat tyre).
They're fiddly, unstable, and just painful to use.

I have subsequently bought another (cheapie) trolley jack which I cart around in the back. Yes it's heavy, but I know it will work when I need it (well I hope so).

when storing hydraulic bottle jacks...be it at home or in the vehicle.....
its best to keep them upright.......helps stop the oil from leaking out.....

also to use them every few months to keep the seals inside lubricated.....


and do not work on your car with only a bottle jack.....
the handbrake only works on the transmission.....and with three open diffs
the second a wheel is off the ground the car can roll freely......
and it only needs to roll a couple of inches to fall off a bottle jack......
a trolley jack is a much safer jack to use......

Originally Posted by DEFENDERZOOK

when storing hydraulic bottle jacks...be it at home or in the vehicle.....
its best to keep them upright.......helps stop the oil from leaking out.....

also to use them every few months to keep the seals inside lubricated.....


and do not work on your car with only a bottle jack.....
the handbrake only works on the transmission.....and with three open diffs
the second a wheel is off the ground the car can roll freely......
and it only needs to roll a couple of inches to fall off a bottle jack......
a trolley jack is a much safer jack to use......

Yes but much bulkier and they don't like to roll in dirt;mud;ect

Originally Posted by V8Landy

Yes but much bulkier and they don't like to roll in dirt;mud;ect

Totally agree.
I always carry a piece of chipboard for it to sit/roll on.

Yes they are bulky/heavy but in my opinion, better than the bottle jack (especially since one let me down).

Granted, trolley jacks are much easier to use but no more reliable than a bottle jack as both are hydraulic and will fail in the same way. You should not be under any car on a jack alone. I usually use an axle stand or if out bush the spare tyre and the tyre of whatever corner I need to work under in conjunction with a jack. I also carry a piece of board to put a bottle jack on. I now also carry an exhaust jack for use in soft terrain.