Recommend a scissor jack

D

daveg

Active member
Leatherhead, Surrey
Now I have moved to non RFTs I am going to buy a jack and space saver as a backup plan (as well as foam and compressor).

I would also like to jack the car up one corner at a time to take the wheels off and give them a good clean. The problem is the gravel drive makes a trolley jack a no go. Up till now I have jacked previous cars with their included trolley jack and a large area block of wood for stability.

I need a scissor jack to go with the axle stands but have no idea what to look for. I see some people mentioning getting one from a breakers but I'd rather buy new as I know it hasn't been abused. Is something like this fine for just lifting the car to put onto a stand:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_182231_langId_-1_categoryId_165727

Also, if I jack on the jacking point where is the best place to put the stand?
 
DO NOT buy that jack. I have used one and it was useless.

The mercedes C class jack has blocks that fit EXACTLY into the square jacking points on the car. Not sure why but there you go. Its also very small and easy to use. Ebay will probably have one.

Edit: can t see any on there own on ebay but its the one in this listing if you keep a look out or go to a breaker.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2003-MERCEDES-C-CLASS-SPARE-TYRE-COMPRESSOR-JACK-KIT_W0QQitemZ260501952110QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item3ca720566e
 
Nothing wrong with a jack from the breakers. In fact I bet the vast majority have never even been taken out the car until scrapping time. Anything is fine for that one off, side of the road change and can be kept in the car. The Ford Ka jack is pretty much identical to the Merc one referenced.

Scissor jacks in general are dangerous and really for emmergency only, especially on unstable gravel that you have, so frankly you need to get a better solution if you plan on taking wheels off regularly. I'd go for a low 'race' jack and a piece of 12mm or 18mm plywood as a base. You can always drive onto a plank to get an extra couple of inches and facilitate getting a normal trolley jack and stability plank underneath. Equally axle stands shouldn't be used on gravel.
 
And don't forget to 'chock' the wheels, front and back to be on the safe side.

These may be of interest;
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-E46-E63-E64-Z4-X3-Sport-Support-Jacking-Pad_W0QQitemZ260508031812QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM?hash=item3ca77d1b44
 
If you are going down the breakers route, then why not get a BMW jack, the jack from the E46 fits the blocks on the car, more to the point if you check part no.s you will find BMW use the same jack on all later model cars, it is designed to work with BMW's and not just something that fits.
 
Thanks for the advice everyone. Just realised a guy at work has an E46 so is lending me his jack over the weekend whilst I find one from a breakers.

Luckily the gravel isn't thick and the ground underneath is very firm. I sweep away the gravel and place a block of wood for the scissor jack and axle stands. Can anyone confirm a good place for the stand as I will be jacking on the rubber block mentioned?

Will definitely be getting a low alu jack for the long term - my local Costco only has the 100lbs steel Arcan one not the nice alu one I've read about on here.
 
Hmmmm good deal M44rrt :)

Off topic... did you win those seats on ebay a month or so ago?? I remember keeping an eye on them if its them
 
I've been thinking about a trolley and stands... what do you guys think of this... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Halfords-trolley-jack-2t-2-stands-2t_W0QQitemZ250562353443QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Lifting_Moving_Equipment?hash=item3a56ae1923

good deal?

the halfords one got good reviews from that site too...
 
peddy said:
I've been thinking about a trolley and stands... what do you guys think of this... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Halfords-trolley-jack-2t-2-stands-2t_W0QQitemZ250562353443QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Lifting_Moving_Equipment?hash=item3a56ae1923

good deal?

the halfords one got good reviews from that site too...
Click to expand...

Just make sure you get one low enough to go under the lifting blocks. Few of the cheapo 2 tonne ones do.
 
This might not help daveg or anyone looking to buy soon, but it's worth keeping an eye on the weekly specials at ALDI and LIDL. I bought 2 sets of axle stands for (I think) £5/pair - TUV approved so more than up to the job. I've used them quite a lot and they've been great.

I also bought a trolley jack (2000kg limit) from ALDI or LIDL but it's not the best: the wheels on it are crap and it doesn't always roll ont he ground like it should when raising/lowering the car. Doesn't help I've got to use mine over monoblocking so the joins between the blocks don't help. I'm looking for a new one with a higher limit anyway as my van's approaching 2000kgs...

My father-in-law has a trade account at a car trade counter called Maccess and got me a great jack for £8 and a "cross" wheel brace for £4 or so. All great quality stuff, the jack even has the block on top to fit the guide on the Z4 perfectly, and also goes low enough to fit under my Eibach'd Z4.
 
I suggested you check. Go measure your car as each is different based upon spring type, wheels, tyres, age of springs, etc. etc. IIRC it needs to drop to 11cm
Cheap jack tend to be high for a normal car and have very little range.

I like the giant Costco one at £70 3 tonne and can easily lift the entire side or end of the car a foot or so off the ground, Aside that any low race jack will do.
 
Dreamer

Yes they are the ones you were watching
The owner had enquiries from all over the world about them
On the day I noted that no-one was actually bidding, so I slipped in with 15s to go on ebay at start price
3 hours with my indy and they were in :driving:
 
CJ, I've had a look at the race ones and they are more than what I'm willing to pay.

daveg said:
Will that one fit under? Or are you going to drive onto some blocks first?
Click to expand...

Is there something special I need purchase on top to drive on to or anything will do?
 
The cheapest low jacks I've heard of are the Costco ones, they do a steel and aluminium versions. Can't seem to find the ally one anywhere so they might have stopped selling - more info here:

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=129861

Haven't done it myself but read others recommending driving onto some solid planks to raise the car up enough to get the jack under. Here for example:

http://forum.bmw5.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=40941
 
Drive onto any 1" or 2" plank will do. It's just enough to lift it an inch or so.

Costco do the ally jack every few months. The big 3 tonner is on the racks this month
 
What do you guy think of this?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B002QO3W7Q/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=471057153&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B002QO8E7E&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=009PGDJB1NTXRGR44ZXH
 
Look at the Halfords site - half price in their sale;
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_productId_254057_langId_-1_categoryId_165727
.....and at least if you have a problem there's a local Halfords nearby.
 
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