Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: lloyd3213 on 04 October 2016, 10:28:36

Title: Car Jack
Post by: lloyd3213 on 04 October 2016, 10:28:36
Can anyone recommend a decent jack to keep in the boot? The original jack that came with the Omega is knackered, and I've been carrying around a 3 tonne trolley for the time being, not good on fuel ;)
Title: Re: Car Jack
Post by: Andy B on 04 October 2016, 10:43:01
I'd just get another Vauxhall side lift jack for the odd occasion you might need it .... they're not brilliant, but do the job - just  :)
Title: Re: Car Jack
Post by: driver115 on 04 October 2016, 11:13:27
I found the supplied jack for the omega to be about as useful as a chocolate fire guard, and have over the years acquired a number of trolley jacks. In terms of weight and functionality, a basic "lighter" trolley jack would suffice and generally be more useful, and guess the cost would be comparable to the supplied omega device ? :)
Title: Re: Car Jack
Post by: Andy B on 04 October 2016, 11:23:08
I found the supplied jack for the omega to be about as useful as a chocolate fire guard, and have over the years acquired a number of trolley jacks. In terms of weight and functionality, a basic "lighter" trolley jack would suffice and generally be more useful, and guess the cost would be comparable to the supplied omega device ? :)

The original jack isn't brilliant, but in the 20 odd years of owing Vauxhalls with the same jack, I can only ever remember using them a hand full of times. IMHO the convenience of having the original jack stowed out of the way in the boot outways the inconvenience of having to strap a trolly jack down in the boot ..... I have 3 trolly jacks, the smallest of which is a £20odd jack from Machine Mart used solely for the caravan. And there must be loads of replacement side lift OE jack in scrap yards ... I'd not considered buying new
Title: Re: Car Jack
Post by: driver115 on 04 October 2016, 12:22:34
Yes, trolley jack more inconvenient, and I also carry 1 axle stand as well so may well tend to err on the side of over caution perhaps. Back at base , and for any work under the car, made interlocking wooden blocks to take the weight, and use axle stands as a support. :)
Title: Re: Car Jack
Post by: ronnyd on 04 October 2016, 18:22:43
I have a scissor jack and a bit of 6" square oak fence post in the boot. So far i haven,t had to use it in anger but tried it and worked ok. All depends what the ground is like where you unfortunately get your flat. As said, the supplied ones are shite, i,ve had two that go up but won,t go down under load. ???
Title: Re: Car Jack
Post by: DrAndyB on 04 October 2016, 19:07:17
....  I've been carrying around a 3 tonne trolley for the time being, not good on fuel ;)

No wonder MPG is bad with 3 Tonnes in the Boot - Impressive but a tad sluggish on the "Launch" off the lights I bet  ;D
Title: Re: Car Jack
Post by: frostbite on 04 October 2016, 19:47:36
The omega jack is ok but its got a nylon hinge which doesnt last long with regular use, look into a newer version with a metal hinge

Its a 700kg load as well

Could be better getting a 1.5t or 2t proper scissor jack from machine mart or screwfix £12 or so and still fits under the elastic strap
Title: Re: Car Jack
Post by: johnnydog on 04 October 2016, 21:34:54
I bought an aluminium low entry racing trolley jack several years ago from machine mart purely for carrying in the car when towing my trailer or caravan as they are light weight compared to a steel trolley jack. Not cheap to buy but the weight saving is a lot. Although a 2 ton capacity, it will lift the Omega, but you know it's a heavy car by the effort needed. Ok for emergencies, but would not recommend it for regular use with a heavy car like the Omega.