Jacks and Jack Stands

[Matthew Saxon]

Hi would anyone have advice on what floor jacks and jackstands they use in their garages. What I have is not going to be adequate for working safely on hubs, brakes studs etc so any recommendations would be welcome.
I'm thinking of using timber wheel cribbing/ cradles for safety for when I am working underneath, is that what people think is best.

[mygasser]

if you mean like this i'd say they're more secure than chassis stands. https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=9 ... 08&dpr=1.4
as for chassis stands i have both 3 and 6 ton stands (4 of each) depending on what i'm doing height wise. all are the 'ratchet' type like this https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=9 ... 08&dpr=1.4
the trolley jack i'd suggest what's called a quick lift type. when jacking up under the diff i find for a start i only get a small swing of the jack handle between floor and car so anything to speed the process is a good thing https://www.google.com/search?q=trolley ... client=img
before i fitted a 2 post lift in my garage i used a high lift jack that went up to 3 feet which was good for the bigger stands and working room. it was only 1.5 ton but i only ever lifted one end at a time so that was fine. they are available with more capacity of course. https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=9 ... 08&dpr=1.4
neil.
.

[Matthew Saxon]

Thanks, yes that’s what I was thinking for cribbing, although I think something else’s I might look at is fitting the garage floor with some of the sleeved bolts, that way I can bolt down 2 “tracks” of 250x150 sleepers with a ramped end, I can drive the car on and have room to work under on a creeper. I’m not sure I trust working under a car only held up with jack stands.

[mygasser]

there's many different types of tilting car ramps too, both drive on and lift up types. https://www.google.com/search?q=drive+o ... client=img
neil.

[Dave999]

i use these or similar with a different label from the same factory clarkes draper silverline halfords etc
they are heavy..can pay more for nice light weight superdooper but they do the job

with 4 you can have the car off all 4 tyres although i wouldn't suggest it too often.... a little more precarious than necessary in most cases but good for waxoyling cleaning etc

https://cpc.farnell.com/clarke-internat ... BkQAvD_BwE

perfect on a flat floor

fit nice under axle tubes or on the chassis up front
i leave the jack locked off but not jacking the car , under a load supporting member somewhere out of the way
hand brake on if working up front, its not going anywhere unless someone crashes into it

I just don't use the very top most setting. no reason other than it just seems wrong

also had one of these for about 30 years
https://www.clarketooling.co.uk/product ... lley-jack/

no complaints never topped up, never leaked, doesn't sink, always works


Dave

[Matthew Saxon]

I was under the back earlier just checking the tyre to spring clearance, I couldn’t believe how far away from the bumper the axle was, it felt like I was going potholing wriggling along on my back. So I think whatever jack I buy I need one with a long handle! Ive got a smaller compact trolley jack for the boot, but for the garage it would be nice to have a bit of extra lift.
I have seen some nice drive on hydraulic scissor platforms that are 100mm flat and raise up to about 500mm from CJ Autos. They’d be a nice steady way to lift, I’d want to know they have. Decent strength to the lock offs. https://cjautosheywood.co.uk/product/he ... g-cr06xhd/ Prrrrreeettty pricey though even just for a pair.

[Matthew Saxon]

Thanks for the tips, I went with this in the end, a bit overkill, but because of the tow hitch on the back of the car it's a bit of a mare trying to get a jack in to the differential and releasing it without crawling right under the car. This is a big old beast but the length means the handle and foot pedal are accessable from behind the car. Not cheap but hopefully I wont be buying another one. Plus a pair of chunky wheel chocks.

https://www.sgs-engineering.com/tj3pro-js

Although my mechanical experience is very limited, my aim in the long run is to try to learn how to undertake as much servicing and maintenance as i can myself, partly for financial reasons but mainly for the principle. Any way I'm going to start simple, replace one wheel stud and change 4 wheels!

[Dave999]

well that will do the job.... looking very nice