scissors jacks (and rally website)

[Aurora40]

I need to get some new jacks (I like to have two for tire rotations), and Kmart has some scissors-style hydraulic jacks (like the kind in your trunk, but hydraulic) that are cheaper than the floor jacks. I hate the floor jack because it won't go in the factory lift point without damaging the lower body panels, and I hate using other parts of the undercarriage because you always run the risk of crushing something. Plus, floor jacks pull as they raise, so they either pull on the vehicle or have to roll (which means you'd better position it the right way so it can roll). A scissors-style just lifts straight up and uses the factory lift point designed for the spare-tire jack.

I just wanted to see if anyone had any feedback on them or any reasons they may not be a good idea. I always use jack stands if I'm going under (though not when I just rotate tires), but I also leave the jack on so the jackstand isn't fully loaded (again, you have to find a spot to put it that won't crush or anything) just in case someone was going to chime in with a safety tip about supporting vehicles with jacks.

Also, does anyone know a website for Rally? I found http://www.rallymfg.com/ but it is pretty worthless.

Thanks!

[bizzy928]

Aurora40,

I'm a bit confused.

Scissor Style Hydraulic Jacks = The ones that come stock. But hydraulic. (They don't have wheels)

Floor Jack = Hydraulic jack that you "pump" (Has wheels)

If the above are correct, then from what I hear you only use the floor jack when you are using TWO jack stands. However on my car, I find that my designated jacking points on my frame are way to small to fit the floor jack, and then the jack stand next to it. So I phoned the mechanic and he said on my car, the front tow hook also acts as a jack point for my front end. So if i were to put on stands, I would jack up the whole front end. Then stick the stands under.

[Aurora40]

I don't put either the floor jack or the jackstand in the designated spot. Both of them push on the lower rocker panel and will mess it up. The scissors jack will fit right into the designated spot without screwing up the bodywork. So I usually put the floor jack on some underbody part and the jack stand on some other underbody part. But I hate doing that because there is always the chance to pick a bad part and crush it (or at least dimple it from the jack's head).

You are right about the jack descriptions. The hydraulic scissor is like the one in your trunk, but you pump it up instead of turning that screw a million times.