✅ How to make an electric jack for a car with your own hands

Do-it-yourself electric jack (10 photos + video)

There is too little space in my garage and if you drive a car into it, you can only walk sideways on both sides of it; in case of repairs, when you need to jack up the car, you had to turn the jack in a very awkward position. At first I had a small rolling jack, if it was easier to position it at the right angle, but laziness is the main engine of progress, and having found in the garage a couple of unnecessary (but quite working) motors for window lifters from the TAZ and a standard jack from my Lancer, I decided to experiment, this is what I found in the garage:

The electric window regulator in my case is from a VAZ2110. The drive with cables is not useful to us, so we unscrew it and leave only the motor with the gearbox. You also need a tetrahedral head whose sides have 7mm edges.

I took the jack from a Lancer, but you can use any diamond-shaped screw jack. The fastenings can be made from strips of metal; I used furniture corners found in the garage.

we cut them and give them the required configuration and attach them to the gearbox

Next, we weld the mount and the head on the gearbox to the jack.

This design is controlled by a button from the same ESP

The tests were carried out on my father's Passat, powered by a spare battery; if you connect it to a running car, it will turn a little more vigorously.

Manufacturing

First, you need to remove the drive and cables from the window regulator and leave only the motor and gearbox. You need a head with a tetrahedral side with edges of seven millimeters. Then you need to trim the fastenings from the steel strips prepared earlier. Firstly, we make them safer and more convenient, and secondly, we make the final product aesthetically pleasing. We attach the parts of the correct shape to the gearbox. Afterwards, the mount and gear head are welded to the device. If desired, individual parts can be painted, the main thing is not to get into moving elements. The device can be powered from the car's electrical network, through the cigarette lighter, or through a regular electrical network with a socket.

Electric jacks stand out among other types of this mechanism. If lever-screw ones are able to lift anything to a great height, and hydraulic ones show high rigidity with a simple design, then our type is suitable even for dangerous situations, since it does not require human effort.

So, we have a device suitable even for professional use. With little labor and time spent, the jack turns out to be of high quality and durable. It is also important that they spent almost no money on me. Almost everyone has a drill or screwdriver, so a window regulator is not at all necessary. After this, your life will become a little better and easier.

Types and comparative characteristics

Probably every good owner has a jack in his tool kit. And those who often have to lift loads, repair a car, or change wheels know that, according to safety regulations, it is necessary to install several units of lifting tools for insurance.

Of course, an ordinary solid object can be used as a backup option. For example, everyone is familiar with laying bricks. But such a makeshift approach simply cannot inspire the necessary confidence. Therefore, sometimes you can approach the issue of safety more thoroughly and make a homemade jack for the garage. Moreover, this work does not involve any special difficulties.

The following types are popular today:

Each type of jack has its own advantages and disadvantages. Some are simpler in design (and therefore easier to assemble with your own hands), while others are considered the most reliable and powerful.

Screw

The design of a screw jack is as simple as possible and time-tested. For this reason, these types are considered the most common. Often, it is precisely these jacks that are included in standard motorist kits.

But, despite the fact that they are easy to assemble, it will be very difficult to reproduce the mechanism yourself, because you will need to repeat the special thread pattern that is applied to the lifting lever and stop. The teeth are given a trapezoidal shape for the following reasons:

such a thread has a self-extinguishing function (does not unwind under the influence of a load);
the transmitting force is increased many times (use limits: from 500 kilograms to 10 tons), which ensures ease of operation.

Such lifting tools are no more expensive than other analogues, so there is little point in creating a homemade screw jack.

Rack and pinion

Rack structures are used primarily for lifting loads to great heights. They also have optimally calculated force.

The mechanism is also quite complex. The technological effectiveness lies in the fact that the lever gradually sets in motion the gear, which moves along a vertical rack with special locking holes.

It is difficult to make a rack structure with your own hands.

Pneumatic

Pneumatic or bottle jacks work on the principle of pumping compressed air into a special container, which squeezes out the rod and lifts the load. Such models have good load capacity, and the range is limited only by the length of the lifting rack.

You can make a homemade pneumatic design by purchasing only the main mechanism with compressed air. And it is quite possible to make levers and additional parts (wheels, stops) with your own hands, having previously calculated everything.

Hydraulic

Perhaps the best option for a do-it-yourself lifting mechanism is a hydraulic one. As a rule, the design involves the creation of a rolling mechanism on wheels and ease of lifting.

The principle of operation of a hydraulic jack is the same as that of a pneumatic one. It is not compressed air that lifts the rod, but oil, which has a low compression ratio. For this reason, hydraulic jacks are used in professional auto repair shops (some models are capable of lifting loads of up to 20 tons).

And, of course, if you reproduce the design in your own garage, you will get a useful and irreplaceable tool.

DIY hydraulic jack with electric drive

The second most popular lifting tool for power retrofits. Hydraulic jacks, unlike rhombic screw jacks, have increased load capacity and can be used to work with more massive objects. In the instructions presented below, the same electric motor from the windshield wiper is used, characterized by low speed and good traction force, which can provide lifting up to 6 tons of weight. To make such an electric jack with your own hands, you will need an angle grinder, a welder and the following parts.

We begin the procedure for equipping a bottle jack with an electric drive by disassembling the standard drive of the tool pump. It is necessary to remove the rear mount and the lever installation location, leaving only the plunger on the body.

The new lever is made from a profile pipe, in which it is necessary to cut a rectangular groove, about 18 mm wide, along almost the entire length, at a distance of 20 mm from the edges.

On the side of the attachment to the jack, a hole is drilled for further fixation with a bolt. At the bottom end of the profile, on the side of the hole, another groove is cut for fitting the eyes.

The motor will pump according to the crank principle, so a disk with an offset hole, which can be cut from sheet metal, must be fixed on its shaft. The diameter of the circle should be from 140 mm. It is better to wait until the lever is installed in its place when drilling the hole.

Inside the homemade lever from the profile, there will be 2 bearings. The first is connected to the crank on the motor, and the second to the plunger. Both bearings should move freely inside the pipe, but without much play. If the free space is more than 1 mm, it is better to place a piece of metal plate, welding it at the ends of the profile.

The connection of the outer bearing with the pump plunger is made using a bolt, a piece of tube with an internal ø 12 mm and a nut. You can press a sleeve into the bearing and screw a bolt into it without using a nut, or fix it with a few drops of solder.

How to make a garage jack with your own hands

Among the large number of schemes for home-made devices, screw and hydraulic mechanisms are popular. And if in the first case excellent thread cutting skills are required (it is made in complex shapes), then the hydraulic option is easier to make.

Building a circuit

The hydraulic homemade jack is great for DIY use. And there is no doubt about its ability to ensure safety, because the oil cannot unexpectedly lose its properties and fall from its maintained level. Therefore, when working, it is important to pay attention, perhaps, only to the strength of the levers and their reliability.

Popular diagram of a homemade hydraulic jack

Selection of material and preparation of tools

In a homemade design, it is important to take care of strength. Therefore, metal is chosen as a building material. For the frame use:

channel 10 millimeters;
channel 12;
rods 12 millimeters;
wheels for moving;
rubber part for cup device;
fastening material.

To adjust the material you will need:

welding machine;
grinder with circles for cutting metal and grinding;
metal drills;
wrenches and screwdrivers;
measuring tool: tape measure, ruler, marker.

The supporting part is secured by welding to create a solid and strong structure. The upper rotating parts are attached to bolts or rods.

Assembly of the structure

First, an L-shaped base is created from a 12 mm channel. A hydraulic bottle jack is attached to it. Afterwards, using bolts, the upper lip is attached to the base, on which the jack rod will act. The rod is secured using a rotating rod.

Additional equipment in production are wheels (suitable from old household appliances). They will help you move the large structure around the garage.

An example of a homemade hydraulic jack

Step-by-step instructions for making a garage jack with your own hands

Perhaps the most important quality of a homemade jack is ensuring the proper level of safety. There are many types of tools for lifting loads. But in fact, they are almost always relatively simple. This is due to the fact that reliability is the most important quality of a lifting mechanism. And the simpler it is, the better it works.

Types and comparative characteristics

The following types are popular today:

screw;
rack and pinion;
pneumatic;
hydraulic.

Screw

such a thread has a self-extinguishing function (does not unwind under the influence of a load);
the transmitting force is increased many times (use limits: from 500 kilograms to 10 tons), which ensures ease of operation.

Such lifting tools are no more expensive than other analogues, so there is little point in creating a homemade screw jack.

Rack and pinion

Rack structures are used primarily for lifting loads to great heights. They also have optimally calculated force.

The mechanism is also quite complex. The technological effectiveness lies in the fact that the lever gradually sets in motion the gear, which moves along a vertical rack with special locking holes.

It is difficult to make a rack structure with your own hands.

Pneumatic

Hydraulic

Perhaps the best option for a do-it-yourself lifting mechanism is a hydraulic one. As a rule, the design involves the creation of a rolling mechanism on wheels and ease of lifting.

And, of course, if you reproduce the design in your own garage, you will get a useful and irreplaceable tool.

A container with oil and a lever for operation are purchased. And all other elements are designed as needed.

How to make a garage jack with your own hands

Building a circuit

Popular diagram of a homemade hydraulic jack

Selection of material and preparation of tools

In a homemade design, it is important to take care of strength. Therefore, metal is chosen as a building material. For the frame use:

channel 10 millimeters;
channel 12;
rods 12 millimeters;
wheels for moving;
rubber part for cup device;
fastening material.

To adjust the material you will need:

welding machine;
grinder with circles for cutting metal and grinding;
metal drills;
wrenches and screwdrivers;
measuring tool: tape measure, ruler, marker.

The supporting part is secured by welding to create a solid and strong structure. The upper rotating parts are attached to bolts or rods.

Assembly of the structure

Additional equipment in production are wheels (suitable from old household appliances). They will help you move the large structure around the garage.

An example of a homemade hydraulic jack

Checking for correct operation

Of course, after completing the assembly, it is important to check the resulting homemade jack under “combat conditions.” The hydraulics are designed to lift even a heavy vehicle. Therefore, we check the work under load. A car is best. By the way, tests will reveal design flaws and errors.

And only after checking (even repeatedly) the homemade jack is ready for full operation.

Features of operating a homemade jack

The person who made it is responsible for the work of the homemade product. Therefore, no matter how much confidence we have that a homemade jack will withstand the weight, we use an additional jack for insurance if we are working under a car.

But this rule applies even to a purchased model, because it has long been known: safety precautions are written based on errors. Unfortunately, often fatal.

Checking for correct operation

And only after checking (even repeatedly) the homemade jack is ready for full operation.

Electric jack VARTA V-CJ2.11W

Long searches in stores and on the Internet were a little disappointing: there are only a few models on sale. We found two electrically driven rhombic mechanisms and two pneumatic lifts, powered either by an electric compressor or by exhaust gases. In any case, they all live up to the title and save the owner’s energy, requiring in return only some mental effort. What we liked the most was the electric jack. Pneumatic ones lost in the “Safety” and “Ease of Use” categories, as well as in price. However, they are well suited for changing wheels off-road.

Electric jack VARTA V-CJ2.11W

Designed for vehicles weighing up to 2 tons,

lifting height 180–400 mm,

impact wrench torque 380 Nm

Approximate price - 3500 rubles.

In fact, a whole set of tools for changing wheels: in a plastic box with convenient locks, in addition to the jack itself, there is also an electric impact wrench with an extension and 17, 19, 21 and 23 mm heads! The manufacturer also did not skimp on spare fuses and an adapter for connecting directly to the battery terminals. The cord is long enough to reach any of the wheels. The support platform was made from a bolt, cutting a groove in its head. The minimum height of the threshold of a car must be at least 160 mm (many cars cannot be raised this way). The bolt head is not covered with anything: it will definitely damage the paint on the threshold. With the engine not running, the jack works very loudly, but sluggishly. It seems that the motor is about to jam or burn out. The mechanism should be set almost level, otherwise it will turn inside out. The LED in the control panel will help you not to miss in the dark. If the jack suddenly breaks, it can be lowered using the included plastic lever, but this is a very slow process. The impact wrench more than exceeds the factory torque standards. You just have to wait for the eighth or tenth blow. Long, but effortless.

Electric jack Turbo Jack GB-A20

Choice of ZR

Nominal load capacity 2000 kg,

maximum - 3000 kg,

lifting height 120–350 mm

Approximate price - 2300 rubles.

Electric jacks

Nowadays, the most attractive in terms of performance parameters and ease of use is an electric lift. It is used by many car owners. This mechanism is quite universal and does not require special conditions for use.

Design management

An electric jack is a device for lifting a load, powered by the vehicle's cigarette lighter or its own battery. To power the jack, an electric 12 volt will be enough.
Such a lift can also work when the car engine is running, which is especially appreciated by car owners. This makes it possible to charge the jack’s battery from the network of the vehicle being lifted. The main drive is a small electromechanical device consisting of an electric motor and gearbox that drives the lifting screw structure. To operate, it must be installed in the right place and connected to power. To do this, in addition to an adapter for inclusion in the on-board network, the jack is equipped with a pair of wires for connecting to a car battery. The lift is controlled using a remote control.

An electric jack, like other similar devices, is a unit, when working with which it is necessary to take care of safety . When carrying out operations related to replacing wheels or other operations for lifting loads, the following measures must be taken:

Securely secure the wheels of the vehicle using shoes to prevent spontaneous or erroneous movement of the vehicle.

Having raised the body to the required height, special stops are installed under it to secure it and prevent the machine from lowering.

It is prohibited to penetrate under a vehicle that is in a raised state without securing it. It is necessary to take measures to prevent the body from sliding off the lift.

Load capacity of electric jack

You need to pay special attention to this characteristic when purchasing a tool. If you make a mistake in the selection, then other possibilities will become irrelevant, since if the jack could not cope with its main duty, did not lift the intended car, then it does not matter what the quality of the product, the working stroke and stability are.

A certain model is designed for its maximum lifting weight, which is stated in the data sheet and on the nameplate placed directly on the body of the device.
When calculating the required lifting capacity of the jack, you need to add 10-15 percent of this figure to the weight of the car.
If you make a mistake in the carrying capacity, you can break it, and in the worst case, injure yourself when the car falls. The lifting capacity of electric car jacks reaches 2 thousand kilograms. According to this indicator, they are inferior to some of their colleagues. For example, a screw lift can handle loads of up to fifteen tons, a rack and pinion lift can handle up to twenty, and some models of hydraulic devices can lift two hundred tons of load. An inflatable lever jack with a lifting capacity of up to four tons can compare with it.

Advantages and disadvantages

Taking into account the main technical characteristics of electric lifts, one can form an opinion about the positive and negative aspects of owning such a device. Speaking about the good properties of the electric jack, I would immediately like to highlight its ease of use . This is such a convenient and unpretentious device that even a woman driver can use in an unforeseen situation.

It’s not bad when you can control such a device remotely, using a remote control. For example, being away from the car, slightly raise it for a better view of the space under the bottom. The remote control eliminates the need to manipulate all kinds of levers and handles when lifting the body.

Electric jack Turbo Jack GB-A20

Another diamond jack with an electric motor. At first it may seem that this is a clone of the VARTA V-CJ2.11W, only without a wrench. However, this is not quite true. The supporting platform here is larger, with a diameter of 50 mm, and is also made of plastic - the risk of damaging the paint is minimal. The lower edge of the jack can be lowered to a minimum level of 110 mm - this will fit under almost any car. With the engine not running, the jack operates quietly, without strain. With it running, it’s a little faster and a little quieter. The plastic locks of the suitcase, which in this case is smaller in size due to the lack of a wrench, open and close with great force. The kit includes three fuses, an adapter with alligator clips for connecting directly to the battery terminals and a plastic crank for emergency lowering of the jack.

Pneumatic jack "Atoll-AG 47×61"

Load capacity 3 t,

working pressure up to 0.7 atm,

lifting height 50–610 mm

Features of electric jacks

The exact position of large objects in height, vehicle maintenance with the need to lift the car body, its units and components above the supporting surface require a specially created device for these tasks called a “jack”. This mechanism is known to any motorist. In addition, most types of this unit can be seen at technical inspection stations and in tire shops. In our article we will talk about electric jacks, their types and characteristics.

Pneumatic jack "Atoll-AG 47×61"

Designed to work with a compressor. In addition to the inflatable pillow, we found in a convenient bag an adapter for connecting a compressor, two protective mats, a repair kit (glue, patches), and gloves.

The most difficult thing when working with such a jack is to place it correctly under the car: it is necessary that the upper and lower platforms are strictly under each other, otherwise the cushion tends to slide out from under the body to the side when inflated. We succeeded on the third (!) attempt. A compressor with a capacity of 35 l/min lifted the Daewoo Matiz in 4 minutes, and the Ford Mondeo in 4 minutes 20 seconds. Due to the constant tendency towards misalignment (the problem would not arise if the cushion was made like the bellows of an accordion), such a jack is unlikely to be a replacement for a standard one, but it is just right for lifting a car stuck in mud or deep snow.

By the way, we found another use for the Atoll: it’s very comfortable and not cold to sit on!

Inflatable jack "SOROKIN 3.693"

with exhaust hose 3.699

Load capacity 3 t,

lifting height 50–460 mm

Approximate price - 3500 rubles.

Inflatable jack "SOROKIN 3.693"

An additional hose with a splitter for two exhaust pipes allows you to inflate this jack without the use of a compressor. Structurally, it is similar to Atoll-AG, but more compact and the material is thinner. Once again you will have to suffer, correctly positioning the support platforms so that the jack does not squeeze itself out from under the car. Thanks to the smaller cushion volume and exhaust gas pressure, the jack fills up much faster - the Mondeo lifted the rear wheel in just 40 seconds, and this at minimum idle speed! If you step on the gas, the car literally takes off. But when pumping, it is necessary to press the rubber cone as tightly as possible to the pipe and hold it with your hand so that it does not jump off under the pressure of the gases. You can’t do it without an assistant, but this is not the main disadvantage. The hose turned out to be short: it was not long enough to get to the right front wheel of the Ford. And one more thing: with a non-standard exhaust pipe tip, this thing is useless. Just remember the Honda Civic with its exhaust triangle!

How to make a jack with your own hands: instructions with photos and videos

Almost every person now has a car. For some, it acts as a source of income - taxis, buses, cargo transportation, etc. Some people just need it for transportation. But for true car enthusiasts, a car is the closest friend that helps out in difficult times and never lets you down. They take care of it, treat it with care, and repair it on time. Often such people are friends with technology in life and love the instrument. They like to do something with their own hands, because it brings great pleasure. Often you end up with some useful and interesting things for your car.

For example, it is a good idea to make a jack. Indeed, no motorist can do without this device. Many, of course, will now say that it is easier to go and buy it in a store. But for a true mechanic, building such a thing, especially for his car, will not be difficult. It is only important to know how to make a jack and what it will consist of.

Table of contents:

DIY jack

Do-it-yourself car air freshener

A jack is a very useful tool that every car owner should have. With the help of a jack, the most unexpected problems are solved and various breakdowns are quickly eliminated. Not everyone has the opportunity to purchase a high-quality tool, but the great news is that if you want, you can make a jack with your own hands ! You just need to choose a suitable design, prepare the necessary materials and get to work. Not forgetting, of course, that the future device must have the required level of security.

DIY jack

Types of jacks

Before you start making a car jack with your own hands, you need to decide what design it will be. To do this, you need to know the main types of these devices that can be found in stores:

Rack and pinion. This type has been used for a very long time. It is based on a long metal strip with holes, a lever and a ratchet with a perpendicular end. By pulling the lever down, the ratchet lifts the weight along with it. By pulling it upward, it is triggered, locking itself into one of the nearest holes on the rail along with the load. Then the cycle repeats again;

These are the main types of jacks that are used most often. They are classified precisely by the type of force used (mechanical, hydraulic, etc.), but there are many varieties of them. For example, hydraulic devices can be haulage, cylindrical, trailed, or two-level. That is, there is only one type of jack, but there are several types. Therefore, there is a large choice in order to independently make your own model using a prototype.

General structure and types of jacks

This tool is typically used to lift a vehicle to change wheels. It is used for both professional repairs and home work. Thanks to the jack, you can also carry out repair work in some compartments under the car.

Every car owner has a jack.

Tellingly, the jack is popular not only in the automotive sector. With its help, various structures are installed, some construction work cannot be done without a tool, and it is used in the repair of various equipment.

Hydraulic jack design

Jacks can be of several types, let’s get acquainted with them:

Note! If you wish, you can make any of these jacks with your own hands without any problems, you just need the right materials and tools. Let's look at step-by-step instructions for creating the simplest and most effective jacks.

Skills required when making a jack

It’s worth saying right away that needlework is not an easy task and requires certain skills. In our case, these are practically all the abilities that a novice mechanic should have:

welding is the most basic thing required when working with metal. Since the structure will be assembled from scratch, it will only need to be welded. Moreover, this must be done with high quality so that the end result is a durable product;
cutting - it is enough to be able to cut iron with a grinder. It’s good if you have the skill of cutting with an oxygen torch;
processing - without the skill of using a file or a grinding machine it will be difficult;
turning do without it, but if you are interested in it, it will be much easier when manufacturing and processing some parts;
painting - a handmade item must be painted.

If you have the above skills, then no problems should arise in the process of making a jack. The higher the level of mastery of the tool, the better the product will be.

What is a jack used for? Types of jacks

The main function of a jack is to lift a car wheel in order to replace it or a tire. The jack is used to independently replace car wheels in the absence of repair services. Also, sometimes you have to crawl under the bottom of the car in order to carry out repair work. The jack will come in handy in this case too.

Outside of the automotive field, jacks are often used to install structures at the required level during construction and repair work, when lifting loads in warehouses and spare parts in workshops.

You can read about how the driveshaft crosspiece is replaced on a VAZ-2107 in a detailed article by our author.

You may also be interested in information on how to choose and securely fasten wheel covers with your own hands.

The important characteristics of the jack are listed below.

Load capacity . Each of the jacks has limitations on this parameter. When manufacturing the device, it is necessary to take into account the weight of the vehicle. It is also necessary to take into account the weight of the cargo in the luggage compartment.
Lifting height . This parameter is especially important for cars with low bottoms. In this case, the lifting height must be acceptable to allow one to climb under the car and carry out repair work.
Pickup height . This is the height of the instrument. This parameter must be compatible with the vehicle's ground clearance (distance from the surface to the lowest point). This parameter is different for each individual model. It is necessary to select the pick-up height so that it is comfortable to work.

Tools and materials for a homemade jack

In order to make a jack, you must have the right tool. The first step is welding, since with its help the assembly will take place. It is desirable that it be a semi-automatic device with carbon dioxide. Then the seams will be much smoother and there will be no excess slag. Second, and no less important, is the grinder . It’s good if the assortment includes both small and large. With their help you will cut blanks from steel. You will also need a drill , because you will have to make more than one hole. To easily process iron parts, you definitely need an electric sharpener . It is key in the fitting process. In addition, it is advisable to have hand tools : files, needle files, whetstones, hammers, screwdrivers, rasps, levers with a set of taps, sledgehammers, vices, etc. The more devices you have at hand, the easier the manufacturing process will seem.

Tools and materials

It is quite simple to create a jack with a pneumatic or hydraulic operating principle. If the work depends on human effort, compressed air or working fluid, then the process will not take much time. Electrically it's a little more complicated. The electric jack will be a fusion of mechanical and electrical. The electric drive powers the mechanical parts of the device.

For manufacturing you will need any electric drive. The window lift motor will handle the task. Its goal will be to relieve a person of physical effort to lift heavy loads or a car. A drive from a drill or screwdriver may also be suitable. Their power is enough to lift a car weighing a couple of tons. You also need the jack itself - for the base. A regular diamond screw type will do. You will also need steel strips for fastening. A welding machine is needed for this work.

DIY hydraulic rolling jack

The base (both the lifting arm and the lifting platform) of a hydraulic jack can be made from a channel. A conventional hydraulic bottle jack is used for lifting force. To move the jack, you can attach wheels (can be replaced with bearings, rollers or something similar).

Construction of a homemade hydraulic rolling jack

It is recommended to install the bottle jack on a movable “swing” platform, since during operation the jack slightly changes its angle, and some compensation for movements is required. The platform should sway slightly from side to side. It can be made from the same channel by drilling a through hole in the lifting base and placing the “swing” on the bolt so that there is a small gap of 0.5-1 cm between the base and the platform.

Movable platform for bottle jack

To increase the strength of the structure, it is advisable to make braces from rods on both sides of the base. The thicker the rods, the better. They are welded to the base.

The device operates from a bottle jack. When it is moved by a special handle-rod, it rises, which moves the lifting arm upward.

The process of working a homemade hydraulic rolling jack

A drawing of such a hydraulic jack for making it yourself is shown in the image below:

Drawing of a hydraulic rolling jack that you can make yourself

Also watch a few videos where you can learn more about how to make a hydraulic jack with your own hands:

DIY electric jack repair

Poor performance of an electric jack can be caused by the fact that the microcircuits wear out over time and become unusable. In this case, the rod is not able to rise to the height level specified by the manufacturer in the technical documentation. Microcircuits that have become unusable can be easily replaced with new parts.

Electric jack repair tool kit

Another breakdown occurs when an inexpensive electric jack sags under the load placed on it. Air accumulating inside causes gaskets and chips to leak fluid, instead of which air bubbles enter the working cylinder. To eliminate such a malfunction, it is recommended to carry out repair work, replace all spare parts and microcircuits, and acquire a case with tools for this.

Before carrying out repair work, the electrohydraulic car jack must be disassembled using a wrench and the liquid, which is in a special reservoir, must be drained. If the design does not have a filler hole through which the oil is drained, this should be done through a bypass valve. The lower rubber ring must be carefully inspected, and then the housing must be checked for leaks. As for the working cylinder, you should unscrew it and see if it is affected by rust formations.

DIY pneumatic jack

As an example, we will also consider a pneumatic device, which is the easiest to make . So, you will need:

Air bag. The main working part, which can be found at a disassembly site or on the market. Its role can be played by an ordinary rubber cylinder from the air suspension of a car. It is best suited from a cargo one, since it is much stronger and can withstand strong pressure, which increases the lifting moment. But it has a large height, so placing such a jack under a car with low ground clearance will not always work;
Two bolts. They will be needed to make a valve for the pillow. In general, it initially has a factory threaded hole into which a high-pressure tube is screwed. Now, instead of it, we need to select a bolt of the same diameter, and then find another one that will serve as the top cover. They need to be drilled so that when connected to each other, a cavity is formed inside them. Then we place the ball from the bearing and a strong fitting for inflation inside the upper bolt. Now the entire structure can be welded and screwed into the hole of the pillow.

In principle, such a homemade device can easily lift any passenger car. It is enough to place the pneumatic cylinder under the platform on the bottom and connect the high pressure hose to the fitting. By supplying compressed air, the cushion will begin to rise with the car.

The principle of operation of a homemade pneumatic jack

For convenience, such a jack can be completed by inventing a reliable platform with wheels. Thus, if you take a cylinder for disassembly, then a home-made device costs almost pennies.

Improved air jack on wheels

You can also watch several videos on how to make a pneumatic jack with your own hands:

DIY jack: 6 different mechanisms for lifting a car

Outside of the automotive field, jacks are often used to install structures at the required level during construction and repair work, when lifting loads in warehouses and spare parts in workshops.

You can read about how the driveshaft crosspiece is replaced on a VAZ-2107 in a detailed article by our author.

You may also be interested in information on how to choose and securely fasten wheel covers with your own hands.

The important characteristics of the jack are listed below.

Load capacity . Each of the jacks has limitations on this parameter. When manufacturing the device, it is necessary to take into account the weight of the vehicle. It is also necessary to take into account the weight of the cargo in the luggage compartment.
Lifting height . This parameter is especially important for cars with low bottoms. In this case, the lifting height must be acceptable to allow one to climb under the car and carry out repair work.
Pickup height . This is the height of the instrument. This parameter must be compatible with the vehicle's ground clearance (distance from the surface to the lowest point). This parameter is different for each individual model. It is necessary to select the pick-up height so that it is comfortable to work.

Jacks come in different types depending on the type of drive.

Mechanical type , in which lifting occurs by pressing the handle. These jacks are intended for infrequent use. Such devices are compact, but require physical effort.
Hydraulic type . Similar to the previous one, but requires less effort. The wheel rises due to the pressure created by the working fluid. Great for frequent use.
Pneumatic type . The device operates using compressed gases. Gas cylinders are required for use. The gas creates pressure, the chamber increases in size, and the car begins to rise. No physical effort is required.

According to the operating principle, jacks are divided into screw, rack and pinion, pneumatic and hydraulic. Jacks can be stationary, mobile or portable. Homemade devices are most often portable, as they are small in size. Stationary jacks are intended for large loads and are rarely of interest to car owners.

DIY electric jack

It is not difficult to make a homemade jack for a car with your own hands if we are talking about mechanical devices that operate on the physical efforts of users, compressed air and working fluid. It is somewhat more difficult to make an electric jack with your own hands.

Electric lifting mechanisms are the result of a synthesis of mechanical moving components and an electric drive. Such a jack can be powered from the vehicle's electrical network. You can connect the device via the cigarette lighter.

The starting materials for manufacturing may be different. Motors for window lifters are suitable (as an example, you can take a motor from the “ten”). The drive and cables must be removed, leaving only the motor and gearbox. You will need a head whose tetrahedral side is equipped with edges of 7 millimeters. The base can be a regular screw diamond jack.

Our task is to create an electric drive so that there is no effort when using it. The fastenings are made of steel strips. The fasteners must be trimmed and given the desired configuration, and then attached to the gearbox. The mount and the head on the gearbox are welded to the device. The device can be controlled using a button from the window lifter mechanism.

Device comparison

Screw jacks with trapezoidal threads maintain a simple design, low weight and ease of operation with a high load capacity. The rhombic design of such mechanisms is distinguished by the presence of a long drive handle, which reduces the required effort to lift the load. The design is also lightweight and has good stability.

Lever-screw lifting mechanisms are distinguished by their large lifting heights and small dimensions.
Post-screw jacks have high stability and rigidity.
Rack-type structures are distinguished by their ability to be used in different directions and ease of operation, as well as a high lifting force.
Bottle hydraulic jacks have the simplest design and high connection rigidity during operation. The effort required for lifting is minimal.
Rolling jacks are stable, have a small initial installation height and considerable rigidity during operation.
Electric jacks perform best in extreme conditions, do not require physical effort and are highly accurate and stable.
Pneumatic lifting mechanisms provide convenient and reliable use due to their large bearing surfaces. They are also distinguished by their quietness and good operating speed, high efficiency and unpretentiousness.

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Recommendations and tips

The most important question remains. Is it even worth making the jack yourself? The answers to it may be different, however, after weighing all the nuances, you can come to a final conclusion. First, it’s worth understanding the cost. It is clear that no one will buy a tool for manufacturing, however, you will need material and some parts that will still have to be purchased. It is quite possible to buy a new factory jack for 5,000 rubles. The expenses for a homemade one will depend on what kind and type it is. So, making a hydraulic one will be the most expensive, but the pneumatic one discussed above is the cheapest.

In general, the cost of a jack is not so much that you have to rack your brains and make it yourself. If you don't care about it, then it's better not to bother with it and buy a new one at the store. But, if the process itself is interesting and you want to make something, then this is a great idea to test your skills. You might even be able to save 1-2 thousand rubles. That is, when there is a desire to do it, try, be smart and achieve results. But if the process of making a jack is not interesting to you, then it is better to postpone this matter.

The main thing to remember is safety measures. Any tool in inexperienced hands can cause serious injury. Also remember to wear safety glasses when working on metal and when welding to protect your eyes.

Option number 4. DIY rack and pinion jack

In this master class we will look at the process of making a simple rack and pinion jack. This device will help you lift a car or any other heavy object without any problems. The design is extremely simple, and the dimensions will be taken based on the available materials.

There is nothing complicated in the design

For production you will need:

Step 1 . First, take a piece of the “two hundredth” channel (you can take a larger one), the length of which is 60 cm. A similar part can be made from a steel strip.

Such a part can be made from steel strip

Step 2 . Mark future 40x20 mm holes for the profile pipe on the channel shelves, not forgetting the 2-4 mm allowance.

Holes for the profile pipe are marked

Step 3 . Cut these holes using any tool available. If necessary, file the edges.

Holes are cut Filed

Step 4 . It is important that the profile pipe fits freely into these holes (see photo below).

The pipe must fit freely into the holes

Step 5 . Take a piece of water pipe (1/2 inch) with walls 2-3 mm thick. It is necessary that the length of the pipe is about 5-6 mm greater than the width of the channel part.

Half-inch length of pipe Proper pipe length

Step 6 . Weld the pipe to the channel.

The tube is welded to the channel Result of the work

Step 7 . Take a strip 8-10 mm thick and 70x500 mm in size. Mark it: there should be 65-70 mm in the middle, while 200 mm or a little more at the edges.

Marked steel strip

Step 8 . Make cuts on the strip with a grinder in order to bend it (about ½ thickness). Thanks to this, it will bend in a vice without any problems.

The strip is cut with a grinder The strip is bent in a vice Another photo of the process

Step 9 . Boil the bent U-shaped strip along the cuts to increase strength.

The cuts are welded for strength. Finished U-shaped part.

Step 10 . Make holes in this part with a diameter of about 20 mm - you can drill them or, for example, burn them with a torch.

Holes need to be made in this part. Holes are burned with a torch. Finished holes.

Step 11 . When the holes are ready, begin assembling the structure. Using a suitable round piece that fits into the welded tube, make an axle. You can also use a bolt or pin of a suitable size for this.

We begin assembling the structure. The axle is made from suitable round timber. The axle is inserted into the holes.