Gotta be an easier/safer way??????

[jakblade]

i have performed the task of jacking the car up using the rear jacking points on either side to place stands under the fronts on several occasions with no issues, lots of trepidation mind but no issues........until yesterday... Yes the car was on solid level(ish) ground. Slight slope on driveway but caused any issues in the past, plus the car went uphill!!!!!

Passenger side front was up and on stand. I had lowered rear onto some blocks for more clearance. When I had the drivers side up and was about to put in stand under the front just easing up slowly on the jack and.........twong!!!! Car slips...how I no not....in gear, handbrake on and chocks under wheels that aren't off the ground. Passenger side stand ends up about 20-25 deg from vertical with my nice new jack in a not very happy looking position, decidedly warped looking.. Now when I try to lower off jack things just get even worse...all sorts of words going round outside my head, like...shoot,oh dear,nevermind and ooopppsss.......car is now precariously balanced WTFTDN!!!!!

Emergency call to brother who comes round with extra jack and after almost an hour of faffing and finagling the Zed is safely back on terra firma....

There's just gotta be a better/safer way to do this????

 

[mr wilks]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-2-TON-TONNE-SCISSOR-WIND-UP-JACK-FOR-CAR-VAN-CHROMED-CRANK-WITH-SPEED-HANDLE-/141620163958?hash=item20f9383576:g:UIwAAOSw8-tWVVnK

Would 4 of these scissor jacks not be easier + safer :? i'm not a axle stand fan at all tried sitting a V6 TT on them a while back whilst wheels went for refurb & bottled out , just didn't feel safe

 

[maxman]

I use a heavy duty trolley jack ,not one of the little ones you buy from halfords .Then lower onto a axel stand.

 

[PerryGunn]

I quite like the look of these - they come as a pair, one for each side and are driven by a small hydraulic pump

Unfortunately they are from a US company called Quickjack and there doesn't appear to be a UK supplier yet and, while they'll ship to the UK, I'm a bit concerned about support/repairs

 

[Marlon]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-2-TON-TONNE-SCISSOR-WIND-UP-JACK-FOR-CAR-VAN-CHROMED-CRANK-WITH-SPEED-HANDLE-/141620163958?hash=item20f9383576:g:UIwAAOSw8-tWVVnK

Would 4 of these scissor jacks not be easier + safer :? i'm not a axle stand fan at all tried sitting a V6 TT on them a while back whilst wheels went for refurb & bottled out , just didn't feel safe

I've always thought axle stands were safer than scissor jacks; when I worked on cars in the past with my old man I always felt safe once scissor jack had done its job and the car was firmly planted on the axle stands.

 

[goldbcfc]

scissor jack are poor and will collapse or buckle I have 3 of them at home and 2 are bent from lifting I always try to use a trolley jack

1. 4 axles stands

2. chock front wheels trolley jack onto rear diff carrier rear end of car in one go then put axle stands under both rear points.

3. depending on which model repeat from from using centre jacking point if you don't have one trolley jack onto wishbone, lift and fit axle stands each side at jack points


I have some ramps for sale brand new never used if interested

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEAVY-DUTY-7-TON-PRO-WORKSHOP-CAR-RAMP-RACE-RAMP-PAIR-Rhino-Ramp-MAX-11912MIE-/191593246225?hash=item2c9bd8ee11:g:Jy0AAOSwBLlVba4i

 

[PerryGunn]

It appears that, since I last checked a couple of months ago, QuickJack have appointed a UK distributor...

http://www.quick-jack.co.uk/

 

[goldbcfc]

I wouldn't feel safe working under that just like a trolley jack can loose pressure and car will collapse id imagine these work on the same princliple

 

[PerryGunn]

I wouldn't feel safe working under that just like a trolley jack can loose pressure and car will collapse id imagine these work on the same princliple

Nope, you can disconnect the pump once they're raised - they have solid locking bars to prevent collapse. They've been available in the US for well over 2 years and people on US car forums have been very complementary about them

Much better than ramps as they align with the cills and leave the wheels/suspension plus the whole underside of the car free for working on

 

[pvr]

Damn you Perry

 

[PerryGunn]

Damn you Perry

Thinking about buying some then Paul?

I need to measure up properly as it's worth getting one of the higher rated models as long as they'll fit under the Alpina...

 

[PerryGunn]

Group buy anyone...?

 

[Baza]

There's just gotta be a better/safer way to do this????

Well I bought a set of these for just your problem. They consist of two parts the top disc with locating rectangle, and base unit to accept top disc. You jack up the car with low profile disc and top disk and when at stand height the base part is put around the jack and then the top part is lowered onto the base and located by a chamfered edge.

This is carried out at each jackpoint and the car is then solid as a rock. I prefered these to a hydraulic lift as there are no parts to go wrong so you are safe working around and under the car.

Downside is they are not cheap and you have buy from the US

 

[goldbcfc]

these look good considering there solid and will last problem you always have using a trolley jack is then access for axle stands which is why I always use wishbone or rear diff to jack which leaves the side jack point free for axle stands. Looks very good these id be interested in these they look like they make the job a lot easier, how much were they?

 

[Baza]

Without digging the paper work out somewhere £500.00 plus puts you in the area. But this was before Brexit so as you buy in dollars they will be more expensive now . On top of the price there is shipping and import costs . You can find out more at www.jackpointjackstands.com there are also some U tube video,s if you tap in jackpointjackstands in Google.

Like I said there not cheap but neither is the z sitting on the deck on its discs. hopefully without you under it.

If you do go ahead I have a couple of tips that make the use easier.

 

[Nictrix]

There's just gotta be a better/safer way to do this????

Well I bought a set of these for just your problem. They consist of two parts the top disc with locating rectangle,Pic C .JPGIMG_0570.JPGIMG_0569.JPG and base unit to accept top disc. You jack up the car with low profile disc and top disk and when at stand height the base part is put around the jack and then the top part is lowered onto the base and located by a chamfered edge.

This is carried out at each jackpoint and the car is then solid as a rock. I prefered these to a hydraulic lift as there are no parts to go wrong so you are safe working around and under the car.

Downside is they are not cheap and you have buy from the US

Thats a brilliant idea.
The only downside I can see is they will only raise the car to one specific height.

 

[Baza]

Yes they are not variable there are two sorts low profile and a standard version. Mine are low profile .

 

[PerryGunn]

Looks very good these id be interested in these they look like they make the job a lot easier, how much were they?

At current prices & exchange rates, it looks like $299 / pair plus shipping - so ~£460 (at $1.30=£1) for 4 plus shipping (say £40 cos they're heavy, plus £10 insurance), import duty (0% for a jack stand) and VAT - gives a total of around £610

 

[85genius]

There's just gotta be a better/safer way to do this????

Well I bought a set of these for just your problem. They consist of two parts the top disc with locating rectangle,Pic C .JPGIMG_0570.JPGIMG_0569.JPG and base unit to accept top disc. You jack up the car with low profile disc and top disk and when at stand height the base part is put around the jack and then the top part is lowered onto the base and located by a chamfered edge.

This is carried out at each jackpoint and the car is then solid as a rock. I prefered these to a hydraulic lift as there are no parts to go wrong so you are safe working around and under the car.

Downside is they are not cheap and you have buy from the US

Thats a brilliant idea.
The only downside I can see is they will only raise the car to one specific height.

You can add these to increase the height http://shop.jackpointjackstands.com/Jackpoint-Recessed-Jack-Pads-Pair-JPRP.htm just watched the video and they look really good if a bit pricy

 

[Baza]

When considering raising the height make sure your jack has the lift capacity to match the height you require. You need a low profile jack and they have limited lift.

Re Freight and import costs Just found relevant paperwork Freight Via Fed Ex £62.98 and import cost £ 50.98