J&S bottle jack failure
#181
12-08-2018, 03:53 PM
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I bought the J&S motorcycle lift over a decade ago. It was very expensive compared to Sears and the others, but appeared to be better made.I bought the combo manual and air compressor model, which currently lists for $675.00.
It worked flawlessly until this year. It would neither raise nor lower. It was stuck, with my Road King on it, wheels about 3" off the ground. I called J&S, and a guy named Steve worked with me for several hours, for several days, trying to make it work. To no avail. They even tried to emulate my situation, putting a big Harley on their lift the same way mine was. Their cure worked, but unfortunately, it didn't work for me. I finally just had to give up making it work, so I could get my bike down and ride it. Now it's too cold to ride it, but at least I can when I am able!
A couple neighbors came over and put a jack stand under the bike. He jacked it up, with 2 of us steadying it from falling. When it got high enough, he pushed the lift from under the bike, then lowered the jack. Finally !!!!
J&S is a great company, but in my case I wouldn't buy another lift. They didn't offer to replace this lift. In fact, their warranty states it is a Lifetime Warranty WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE BOTTLE JACK, SINCE THEY DON'T MAKE IT! By the way, the bottle jack is welded onto the lift, so bleeding or replacing it is not an option as it can't be removed. The whole lift is really heavy, it took 2 of us to carry it out of the garage.
I'm reading the alternative suggestions, looking for a good replacement. I don't like my Harley sitting on the floor.
It worked flawlessly until this year. It would neither raise nor lower. It was stuck, with my Road King on it, wheels about 3" off the ground. I called J&S, and a guy named Steve worked with me for several hours, for several days, trying to make it work. To no avail. They even tried to emulate my situation, putting a big Harley on their lift the same way mine was. Their cure worked, but unfortunately, it didn't work for me. I finally just had to give up making it work, so I could get my bike down and ride it. Now it's too cold to ride it, but at least I can when I am able!
A couple neighbors came over and put a jack stand under the bike. He jacked it up, with 2 of us steadying it from falling. When it got high enough, he pushed the lift from under the bike, then lowered the jack. Finally !!!!
J&S is a great company, but in my case I wouldn't buy another lift. They didn't offer to replace this lift. In fact, their warranty states it is a Lifetime Warranty WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE BOTTLE JACK, SINCE THEY DON'T MAKE IT! By the way, the bottle jack is welded onto the lift, so bleeding or replacing it is not an option as it can't be removed. The whole lift is really heavy, it took 2 of us to carry it out of the garage.
I'm reading the alternative suggestions, looking for a good replacement. I don't like my Harley sitting on the floor.
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Hey Man (12-09-2018)
#182
10-01-2019, 12:05 PM
Road Captain
Spot on
Oh, I'm not implying that there's a 100% failure rate.
I just find it humorous that the best American made jack in the world has its most important component made in China, and there's actually a conversation about how great they are about replacing the jack no questions asked, or how to replace the Chinese jack with an American made jack, or replace the Chinese hydraulic jack with an American air jack.
It's almost the J&S jack equivalent of the sumping/migrating oil issue.
I just find it humorous that the best American made jack in the world has its most important component made in China, and there's actually a conversation about how great they are about replacing the jack no questions asked, or how to replace the Chinese jack with an American made jack, or replace the Chinese hydraulic jack with an American air jack.
It's almost the J&S jack equivalent of the sumping/migrating oil issue.
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boro (11-12-2019)
#183
10-01-2019, 12:46 PM
#184
10-01-2019, 03:25 PM
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#185
10-01-2019, 07:00 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
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#186
10-02-2019, 11:39 AM
#187
10-02-2019, 01:30 PM
Road Captain
...thought that J & S jack had a re-call for the "down mode module" or something? I read it on the InterWeb once.
....ironic the jack is made in America with chinese parts, kinda like Harleys.
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Goose_NC (10-02-2019)
#188
10-02-2019, 01:41 PM
Road Captain
...I've had an american made craftsmen 1 1/2 ton jack I bought 43yrs ago!!! Still works great.
...thought that J & S jack had a re-call for the "down mode module" or something? I read it on the InterWeb once.
....ironic the jack is made in America with chinese parts, kinda like Harleys.
...thought that J & S jack had a re-call for the "down mode module" or something? I read it on the InterWeb once.
....ironic the jack is made in America with chinese parts, kinda like Harleys.
If it is made in America it's done so with foreign materials these days.
J & S Lifts are only as good as the cheap chinese jack they use on them, and obviously after reading around that's none to good..
Funny other sellers of them Chinese Jack's test and sell only the ones that pass testing
#189
10-02-2019, 01:48 PM
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Super Glidester (10-02-2019)
#190
10-02-2019, 02:27 PM
Seasoned HDF Member
OP I'm sure there was some major pucker factor! Glad you got it down safely.
Guess I have been very luck. My J & S will be ten years old next year. It has the original bottle jack in it and all works as designed. Seems like the issues started in the last couple of years but I could be wrong. I really like the looks of that air over hydraulic setup one member posted. I may consider that upgrade.
Keep us posted.
Guess I have been very luck. My J & S will be ten years old next year. It has the original bottle jack in it and all works as designed. Seems like the issues started in the last couple of years but I could be wrong. I really like the looks of that air over hydraulic setup one member posted. I may consider that upgrade.
Keep us posted.