Safe jacking

[teK--]

I need to get the front of the car up off the ground to install some new bushes.

In the absence of a trolley jack, is it possible to use the scissor jack (that comes with the car) to jack up one side of the car just behind the front wheel, put a chassis stand in that location then jack up the other side and fit a stand?

Reason why I ask is because jacks always lift the car in an arc motion, and trolley jacks have wheels but scissor ones don't. I'm concerned about the jack tippping sideways and/or bending the jacking points on the car.

Thanks

[drndrn]

I used to do what you've detailed above, and have found that it's bent my factory jack. Ideally just go to supercheap and score yourself a 1.5T or 2.0T trolley jack. Should be less than $100. They may not be safe to work under but you'd use jack stands anyways, and they'll do a hell of a lot better job then the scissor jacks will. I can lend you my trolley jack since you're near my area, won't be home till later tonight though.

[teK--]

That would be wikid Daz, thanks. Somewhere in my head I remember trying to do the same thing with my old car, but I didn't even have the jack stands. I basically had a scissor lift on each side of the car, and as I was jacking up the second side, the first scissor folded in half! Ended up having to go to 24/7 Kmart since it was late Sunday night, and buying the only trolley jack they had so I could get the car off the broken jacks.

Turns out the trolley I have is crap and only lifts to 33cm which isn't even enough to get the front wheels off the ground. If you have something that can do better then it would be great if I could borrow it until Sunday and I'll give it back to you then .

P.s. I bought those front shifter bushes which is what I'm installing, so when I return the jack you can have a drive of my car to see if you want to get the bushes as well

[drndrn]

Haha! Sweet mate, see you tonight.

[wassell2381]

hey mate
Ive got one of those 33cm trolley jacks aswell. To solve the problem of not having enough height with the jack i put a block of jarrah hardwood on top of the jack to gain a bit more height.

[teK--]

Thanks for the tip Wassell, but using a block of wood means that the jack can't get under the car in the first place .

[wassell2381]

do it in 2 stages then. My axle stands are short enough to go under 33cm when the jack is fully extended and then you have enough height to put a block on the jack and go higher.

[teK--]

Smart thinking, you must be an engineer? or one of those efficiency consultants

[The Sean]

Hey Guys,


Yer the phased lift thing works, I had to do it to the Fiat to get the fuel tank out...it was vertically installed behind the passenger seat, from memory I got that car about 800mm in the air.

(Engineer!)


TS

[wassell2381]

Smart thinking, you must be an engineer? or one of those efficiency consultants

nah man
im a yr 12 high school student lol