Car jack.

[dobbslc]

Indeed, in practice, I would use a three ton trolley or the beam on our ramp but I was just interested in finding out about the theory of how the corner weights of vehicles equate to the lifting capabilities. As pointed out, the stiffness of a chassis could easily lead to a front engined front wheel lift actually lifting half the car but even then would it be lifting half the curb weight???

I just did the exhaust on the boys Fiat 500 and when I jacked up the rear cill on the nearside it lifted three wheels off the ground!
I suppose you could put that down to an Italian manufacturer building a stiff chassis that handles well OR that they had to build them strong like that as they spend so much time up on bloody jacks

 

[voipio]

Don't forget the use of the long weight as a counterbalance.

 

[Trevorleach]

A one ton scissor jack really struggles to lift front wheel on fiesta diesel.
I bought cheapest 2 ton trolley hack, much better.

 

[Morrisman]

I just did the exhaust on the boys Fiat 500 and when I jacked up the rear cill on the nearside it lifted three wheels off the ground!
I suppose you could put that down to an Italian manufacturer building a stuff chassis that handles well OR that they had to build them strong like that as they spend so much time up on bloody jacks

I tried to jack up my daughter’s Mazda 2 a few days ago, not realising that the whole of the underneath has some sort of plastic cover molded to fit over everything.

I got both wheels off the ground one side…… then a sudden crack and it dropped down. I’ve broken the plastic, and the jack had then slid into a depression under the car. Hopefully there was nothing fragile behind that part of the plastic…….

 

[voipio]

Do you have a reel of plastic welding wire for the MIG to repair the cracked cover??

 

[pedrobedro]

the jack had then slid into a depression under the car.

It was probably due to it not being up to the job, counselling may help and Xanax if it is available. A few years ago, I can't remember how many, I ordered a Jack and a pair of stands which were on a good offer from SGS. The Jack is rated at 3 tons which I didn't realise at the time and it is way bigger than anything I really need but the height it lifts is a bonus. I also have a Bradbury Jackette which was given to me as scrap but now works. The Bradbury looks about twice the jack but it is only rated at 1.5 tons

 

[s410man]

Thinking about it i reckon if the chassis was very stiff, the weight distribution is equal on all 4 wheels you could actually be lifting more than half the weight of the vehicle if you put the jack on a chassis rail in between the 2 axles and lifted from that point

 

[norsa]

Don't forget the use of the long weight as a counterbalance.

Quite by coincidence, I'm at the store now but I'm being told they're in a crate out in the car park. They have sent the lad out to get it. The boss came out and said because they're heavy, they were probably put on the bottom and would I like a cup of tea. BRB

 

[dave h 2]

Your 1 ton jack would be OK jacking under a wishbone till the suspension travel is used up then not so OK.

Back in the day we had a new motorcycle parking area at work. That really hot summer of 76 we found every side stand had sunk into the tarmac so far you couldn't see it.

 

[Eric the chicken]

I was once (back in the 70's) stupid enough to jack up my Renault 4 on the supplied jack. I sat on the ground legs either side of the front hub, with the wheel removed. About five minutes into working on the front hub the jack gently collapsed the hub subsided to the ground between my legs. No damage to me or the car but a lesson well and truly learned. Eased myself out from under the car straight to the local car accessory / tool store for a new jack and a pair of axle stands.

 

[Old Dog]

If the weight distribution was 100% correct with 25% on each wheel and the vehicle had independent suspension it "should" pick it up. With a beam axle weight transfer would interfere. In practice it never works like that, even vehicles with air suspension which should have equal weigh on each wheel has different loads on each axle, that's why VOSA are always so busy, total vehicle weigh under he limit but axle weights incorrect.

 

[Morrisman]

Your 1 ton jack would be OK jacking under a wishbone till the suspension travel is used up then not so OK.

Back in the day we had a new motorcycle parking area at work. That really hot summer of 76 we found every side stand had sunk into the tarmac so far you couldn't see it.

I had that once, so a piece of 2mm steel was cut and pressed into service.

 

[norsa]

If the weight distribution was 100% correct with 25% on each wheel and the vehicle had independent suspension it "should" pick it up. With a beam axle weight transfer would interfere. In practice it never works like that, even vehicles with air suspension which should have equal weigh on each wheel has different loads on each axle, that's why VOSA are always so busy, total vehicle weigh under he limit but axle weights incorrect.

There we go. Some of you are now applying the theory which I was getting at rather than suggesting I'd be daft enough to climb under an unsupported car.

 

[Smallfry]

Quite by coincidence, I'm at the store now but I'm being told they're in a crate out in the car park. They have sent the lad out to get it. The boss came out and said because they're heavy, they were probably put on the bottom and would I like a cup of tea. BRB

You could have a look at their range of tartan paints, while you are waiting.

 

[Smallfry]

I was once (back in the 70's) stupid enough to jack up my Renault 4 on the supplied jack. I sat on the ground legs either side of the front hub, with the wheel removed. About five minutes into working on the front hub the jack gently collapsed the hub subsided to the ground between my legs. No damage to me or the car but a lesson well and truly learned. Eased myself out from under the car straight to the local car accessory / tool store for a new jack and a pair of axle stands.

have you noticed how the Renault emblem looks like a scissor jack ?

 

[premmington]

When I was about 20, I used a 3 ton Bradbury jack to lift a Mini that I had. Despite all the warnings about never getting under a vehicle supported only by a jack, I did exactly that. I ended up trapped . Not because the jack collapsed, but the floor and sill gave way. I couldn't move and was trapped by the hips. The jack was behind me so couldn't reach it. Was there about half an hour before someone arrived to help. I couldn't even get up, let alone walk, and ended up in hospital. Have had sciatica on and off ever since. Learned my lesson there, and was thankful it wasn't the XJ12 instead.

I would say two tonnes as a minimum. The other thing with the emergency jack, is that the vehicle could move and it roll sideways.

In 41yrs of being a motor mechanic - I have never done it. Got trapped under a car/van/lorry. And I have crawled under a few in four decades.

But I always use axle stands - plywood jacking pads - big blocks of wood on wheel rims.

Some modern cars - it not that easy to get a pair of axle stands under thou...

When I used to do "outside work" - I reckon I had more sheets of plywood in the van - than tools. 3/4 bits for jacking pads - 3/8 sheets cut into 4x2 bits to make a dry carpet under the vehicle. And some big blocks for safety blocks on rims.

 

[Keithmac]

I'm a bit OCD with jacking and axle stands but you only die once..

Not nice laying under 2+ tons of car at the best of times.

For the sake of 5 minutes extra setting axle stands and getting the proper jack out it could save your life.

My Grandad years ago had to lift a car (Ford Cortina iirc), while the numpty next door neighbour was dragged out from underneath it after a jack failure.

I bollocked my mate as well for working on a car just on a jack.

As for using under rated lifting equipment you are in the lap of the gods really.

Evey car I've jacked up from the front to any reasonable height has started unloading the rear suspension.

 

[Bobupndown]

I just did the exhaust on the boys Fiat 500 and when I jacked up the rear cill on the nearside it lifted three wheels off the ground!
I suppose you could put that down to an Italian manufacturer building a stiff chassis that handles well OR that they had to build them strong like that as they spend so much time up on bloody jacks

My wife has just bought one of these little roller skates. I have no doubt I'll be 'fixing it again tomorrow'. Quite a cute little machine though.

No jack or spare wheel supplied with it, situation that has been remedied now.

 

[Morrisman]

I'm a bit OCD with jacking and axle stands but you only die once..

Not nice laying under 2+ tons of car at the best of times.

For the sake of 5 minutes extra setting axle stands and getting the proper jack out it could save your life.

My Grandad years ago had to lift a car (Ford Cortina iirc), while the numpty next door neighbour was dragged out from underneath it after a jack failure.

I bollocked my mate as well for working on a car just on a jack.

As for using under rated lifting equipment you are in the lap of the gods really.

Evey car I've jacked up from the front to any reasonable height has started unloading the rear suspension.

Whenever I’ve had a hot rod up on four jack stands to do wiring or exhaust etc underneath, I’ll set it down on the jack stands then grab it firmly and do my best to shake it off the stands, in several directions. Just to make sure…

Living on my own, as I do now, I could spend days trapped before anybody came looking to see where I was. It’s also wise to keep a phone near to hand if you’re working alone.

 

[dobbslc]

My wife has just bought one of these little roller skates. I have no doubt I'll be 'fixing it again tomorrow'. Quite a cute little machine though.
View attachment 446475
No jack or spare wheel supplied with it, situation that has been remedied now.

They do have a certain thing about them. But need some looking after!