Car ramps without the ramp
Discussion
My car has only two places to safely lift and support the car at the front, the sill jacking point and the subframe.
The subframe is obstructed by the engine under tray which I cannot remove until the car is in the air and I'm too much of a wimp to crawl under to take the under tray bolts out while it's only supported by a jack.
I need to be able to jack up each sill and slip something under the front wheels to raise it safely so that I can remove the under tray before jacking the subframe and using the sills for axle stands.
Essentially I'm asking for a ramp without the sloped bit to drive onto, what would you use? Did think railway sleepers or oak boards or something. Any ideas?
The subframe is obstructed by the engine under tray which I cannot remove until the car is in the air and I'm too much of a wimp to crawl under to take the under tray bolts out while it's only supported by a jack.
I need to be able to jack up each sill and slip something under the front wheels to raise it safely so that I can remove the under tray before jacking the subframe and using the sills for axle stands.
Essentially I'm asking for a ramp without the sloped bit to drive onto, what would you use? Did think railway sleepers or oak boards or something. Any ideas?
Edited by Matt600 on Wednesday 8th August 19:43
Krikkit said:
Why can't you jack it up and put it on axle stands under the sills?
Because if he Jacks it on the sill where can he then put the axle stand before lowering it and doing the other side?other idea is if you have a high jack you can jack the rear end of the sill high enough to put an axle stand at the front.
Not sure if they're still around, but when I had a low car I managed to buy some extensions for my ramps that made the approach angle much shallower.
Seem to remember that I bought them from Machine Mart, and they worked a treat.
EDIT: These - https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/car-ramp-extension...
Seem to remember that I bought them from Machine Mart, and they worked a treat.
EDIT: These - https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/car-ramp-extension...
Edited by legless on Wednesday 8th August 20:13
I use a small Bottle Jack and a length of wood on my car underneath the front cross member.
Having raised it on the suspension ONLY (not lifted it)
...this then allows me room to get a Hydraulic Jack under the sub-frame and lift it.
Can you gain sufficient clearance in this way to undo your Under-Tray or Jack it properly?
Having raised it on the suspension ONLY (not lifted it)
...this then allows me room to get a Hydraulic Jack under the sub-frame and lift it.
Can you gain sufficient clearance in this way to undo your Under-Tray or Jack it properly?
aka_kerrly said:
Krikkit said:
Why can't you jack it up and put it on axle stands under the sills?
Because if he Jacks it on the sill where can he then put the axle stand before lowering it and doing the other side?other idea is if you have a high jack you can jack the rear end of the sill high enough to put an axle stand at the front.
Or jack under a suspension subframe with the wood to spread the load? I can't believe you can't find a spot on a steel monocoque that can take a spread load like that without causing ruination.
Krikkit said:
Or jack under a suspension subframe with the wood to spread the load? I can't believe you can't find a spot on a steel monocoque that can take a spread load like that without causing ruination.
I would have agreed with you whole heatedly, until reading recently about an Aston Martin being written off due to incorrect jacking procedure, and creasing the floor. 
I've been guilty of firing a trolley jack under many a car and 'giving it a go' to see how the position I have fares with the load!
I had a set of those ramp extensions. They were sh!t.
Instead, I now have a pair of these - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251174359693
They look to be out of stock right now, but usually do a another build run fairly. They were 150 quid IIRC.
Jacking is OK too, but these ramps are good and I use them whenever possible. Not found anything that won't go up them yet and one of my cars is very low.
Instead, I now have a pair of these - https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/251174359693
They look to be out of stock right now, but usually do a another build run fairly. They were 150 quid IIRC.
Jacking is OK too, but these ramps are good and I use them whenever possible. Not found anything that won't go up them yet and one of my cars is very low.
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