J & S Jack Concerns
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,475
Likes: 3
From: Southeast Wisconsin
J & S Jack Concerns
After visiting with the owners of this company and watching their demo, I ordered one of their jacks two weeks ago. I was pretty psyched to get the jack, so when it arrived this past Wednesday I immediately set it up for some testing. The jack is solid, and with the bike on it I can roll it around my garage very easily. However, I also have a couple concerns: First of all, the hydraulic jack is mounted to a 4" wide plate which is then supported by an angled piece of metal that is welded to a lower cross-member. This piece, which supports the entire weight of the bike, is only 2" wide and isn't even centered under the jack. In other words, if you draw a straight line down from the lifting piston on the jack to this support, the brunt of the force in on the edge of this piece of metal. Secondly, they send you two bolts with nylon lock-nuts to attach the jack to the support plate. The holes in the base of the jack are 1/4" whereas the holes in the support plate are probably 3/8". When you tighten the nuts under the plate, the hole is so big that the nuts actually try to squeeze into the holes causing the bolts to go askew. Washers would eliminate this problem but they don't even send you any...and besides, why not make the holes the same size as the ones in the jack itself?
This jack was just under $300 plus another $40 for shipping and, with that kind of expense, I think we should be able to expect a little more attention to detail. I emailed the company about my concerns and I got a response stating that 'this is how we have been building our jacks for years.' I suppose the darn thing could hold every bike I ever own without a problem but I was really hoping for complete peace of mind...especially since I passed on all the $50 to $150 Chinese-made jacks.
Here are a couple photos:
This jack was just under $300 plus another $40 for shipping and, with that kind of expense, I think we should be able to expect a little more attention to detail. I emailed the company about my concerns and I got a response stating that 'this is how we have been building our jacks for years.' I suppose the darn thing could hold every bike I ever own without a problem but I was really hoping for complete peace of mind...especially since I passed on all the $50 to $150 Chinese-made jacks.
Here are a couple photos:
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
RE: J & S Jack Concerns
that sure looks like a weak point to me. My friend has a jack about like yours (not same brand) and his broke where the jack shaft mounts at the top. The bike took a dive from 19" off the floor. Wasn't Pretty.
Cruiser
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
From:
RE: J & S Jack Concerns
I have a cheaper jack that worked well on my roadstar. But my ROADKING wobbeled like crazy on it. I just ordered one of there jacks and if it can hold the roadking solid like it advertises then it will be well worth the money. I can't see them putting a product that would be dangerous with all the SUE happy people out there; they would have been taken to the cleaners with the FIRST mishap.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 10,675
Likes: 95
From: Billings,Mt.
RE: J & S Jack Concerns
Returning the jack would obviously be a PITA and be costly.I would suggest reinforcing the mount under the jack if you think this is a weak link.
As far as the the oversizes holes,place some washers under the nut.Get longer bolts if needed.
Sounds like these guys dont do revisions to there product.
As far as the the oversizes holes,place some washers under the nut.Get longer bolts if needed.
Sounds like these guys dont do revisions to there product.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
RE: J & S Jack Concerns
Rob,
I have a Dunwell and it is much better braced at the bottom than yours appears to be. I would definately have someone weld an extra brace under the jack before I would trust it.
Bill
I have a Dunwell and it is much better braced at the bottom than yours appears to be. I would definately have someone weld an extra brace under the jack before I would trust it.
Bill
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 11,317
Likes: 11
From: Tucson, Az
RE: J & S Jack Concerns
Yeah, better safe than sorry.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,423
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From: Southern California High Desert, here and there....
RE: J & S Jack Concerns
Interesting. The Kobalt I got cheap at Lowe's looks far more robust than that one. I agree sending it back would be a major PITA, and that you should weld some additional support in this area. Once you have that done, you'll have some piece of mind and a sturdier lift.
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 7,498
Likes: 19
From: East Alton, IL
RE: J & S Jack Concerns
I have a J&S jack as well. I never noticed any weakness, but now I'll think about it every time I use it.
That said, has anyone ever heard of J&S jack failing? I know womeone earlier said a "similar" jack failed, but it wasn't a J&S.
That said, has anyone ever heard of J&S jack failing? I know womeone earlier said a "similar" jack failed, but it wasn't a J&S.