Smitty, I read the same reviews months ago before I bought my jack. The aluminum jack seems to fair a little better than the steel as far as likes and dislikes from customers. I think another problem was the unavailability of replacement parts. I'm very satisfied with mine to this point and stay well within the operating specs of the lift. Honestly, I believe that these jacks that are comparable in price are really not that different from each other as far as construction and durability.
