Date:         Sat, 28 Apr 2012 05:26:15 -0700
Reply-To:     Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Harbor Freight Jacks
Comments: To: Max Wellhouse <dimwittedmoose@cfu.net>
In-Reply-To:  <4f9ba57d.84b7320a.5b7c.ffffa7ea@mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

On Sat, Apr 28, 2012 at 1:08 AM, Max Wellhouse <dimwittedmoose@cfu.net>wrote:

>   If I have one
> complaint about it, it seems that the 2 piece handle flexes somewhat
> when lifting "near capacity" loads.  Maybe it's built in shock
> absorption for the user's rotator cuffs.
>
>    The handle of the Harbor Freight jack flexes  also, but it's pretty
strong.  When I did my rear wheel bearing recently,  I used the HF jack
handle as my cheater bar on a 3/4" drive socket, breaking loose the axle
nut.   My S.O., a 6' er and about 150# and me at 170#, we were both
bouncing with our combined weight on the handle, using my tailgate for
balance as we tried to break that torqued-down nut loose.  I started with
the 3/4" breaker bar on the nut with about a 30 degree (about 10 o'clock)
orientation.  With that aluminum two-piece handle on there and both of us
bouncing on the very end of it, or as close to the end as we could fit, we
were almost bending the handle clear to the floor before that nut finally
grudgingly began to turn.  Propane torch helped.

   Going tight with that axle nut, I just used my own 170# on the end of
that 'lever' so I hope I got it tight enough...I didn't do any math, but I
am confident that it won't be coming loose with the torque I did apply and
the new cotter pin through the new castle nut.

  PS.   the rear wheel bearing was scored and somewhat discolored (outer).
It was noisy when rolling straight on very smooth pavement or when the
wheel was turning, lifted on my Harbor Freight jack on that one side.  It
didn't change pitch or volume noticeably when turning, but it was noisier
under braking