How am I meant to use these jackstands?
Discussion
I have a 07 T31 Xtrial and Halford jack stands which have an almost flat top. It doesn't seem correct that this stand sits underneath it. My stands are like the image below but they don't have the hole in the top.
Here is a screenshot from another T31 on youtube, the jackstands have more of a grove.
What is the best way I can use my particular jack stands to support my car?
Here is a screenshot from another T31 on youtube, the jackstands have more of a grove.
What is the best way I can use my particular jack stands to support my car?
Is the question that the profile of the top of the stands doesn't match the stand sin the picture that look like they're on the sills? and you're wondering where to place the stands?
I routinely use something tough like the subframes or inner end of suspension arms if I think the shape of the stands risks damaging somethng. It can be a dilemma on some cars, jacking on the jack point can leave you with a decision on where to place stands but there's always a hard point somewhere underneath within reach.
I routinely use something tough like the subframes or inner end of suspension arms if I think the shape of the stands risks damaging somethng. It can be a dilemma on some cars, jacking on the jack point can leave you with a decision on where to place stands but there's always a hard point somewhere underneath within reach.
Yes, that's right. I use a jack pad adaptor/hockey puck on my jack to jack up the car at the front but then I don't know where to place the actual jack stands as mine are flat and I don't want to damage the sills. Ideally, I'd jack up from the center jack point at the front of the car [not left to right front wheel area] but my jack does not reach.
Thanks, I'll have to think of where else to place them. I was worried about putting them anywhere else as I thought the sill was the correct and only location. I also have a fear that putting it in another place will damage or allow the car to move.
Thanks, I'll have to think of where else to place them. I was worried about putting them anywhere else as I thought the sill was the correct and only location. I also have a fear that putting it in another place will damage or allow the car to move.
The sill is only the correct place when it has been strengthened to be a jacking point on its lower edge. Many have not!
The mountings for the main subframes is almost always a good place, equally the main suspension parts - but only at their ends!
If you are using a jack to elevate the car be careful about lifting it with axle stands (the clue is in the name!) on one side - it is easy to make the car side off!
The mountings for the main subframes is almost always a good place, equally the main suspension parts - but only at their ends!
If you are using a jack to elevate the car be careful about lifting it with axle stands (the clue is in the name!) on one side - it is easy to make the car side off!
I have the Halfords jack stands like in the top pic and use them with a rubber pad - similar one on ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282802167049
Edited by MBVitoria on Tuesday 29th August 13:58
Is there extra points for identifying the car in the picture. Vented rear discs, and 5 stud wheel pattern......BMW maybe?
Often times, I will slacken off the wheels, lift the car on either the sill or the subframe, and then use axle stands on the other. I sometimes worry about using sills, especially on transits or something like that, as corrosion, and additional weight can have negative effects on the reliability of that specific solution. But in my experience, it's always OK to jack or support on the subframe.
Often times, I will slacken off the wheels, lift the car on either the sill or the subframe, and then use axle stands on the other. I sometimes worry about using sills, especially on transits or something like that, as corrosion, and additional weight can have negative effects on the reliability of that specific solution. But in my experience, it's always OK to jack or support on the subframe.
MBVitoria said:
I have the Halfords jack stands like in the top pic and use them with a rubber pad - similar one on ebay https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/282802167049
Thank you, I'm going to order some of these.Edited by MBVitoria on Tuesday 29th August 13:58
I have those stands. When I had a BMW 5 series I made some pucks out of wood to sit inside the jacking points. I would also sit them under subframe as others have said. For my astra I made some wooden mounts with a cutout for the sill to sit inside.
Good stands but the top is slippy, but as it's a flatter profile than many stands it's actually a bit more flexible imo. I wouldn't mount metal on metal though. Rubber or softwood pick in between is needed I think.
Good stands but the top is slippy, but as it's a flatter profile than many stands it's actually a bit more flexible imo. I wouldn't mount metal on metal though. Rubber or softwood pick in between is needed I think.
be very careful using any stand under a sill, the lip isnt very strong, a block mached to the car is ideal between the sill and the car to spred the load, think like the shape of the supplied car jack, but best is to use the stand somewhere else, there is normaly somewhere else like a subframe or chassis member to use.
I always found it difficult that there’s a chicken and egg situation that you have one jacking point / pad per corner so if you jack the car up (using the cars scissor jack for example), how do you lower it onto the axle stand when the jacks already there in the way.
The answer is (or was for me) that the car had a front and rear central jacking point (found I n the manual / online) so the whole end of the car could be raised to get the stands under the jacking pads sing a trolley jack. I found all the ‘oh just use the suspension arm, bottom of the whatever, anywhere that’s strong enough’ very vague!
The answer is (or was for me) that the car had a front and rear central jacking point (found I n the manual / online) so the whole end of the car could be raised to get the stands under the jacking pads sing a trolley jack. I found all the ‘oh just use the suspension arm, bottom of the whatever, anywhere that’s strong enough’ very vague!
Dashnine said:
I always found it difficult that there’s a chicken and egg situation that you have one jacking point / pad per corner so if you jack the car up (using the cars scissor jack for example), how do you lower it onto the axle stand when the jacks already there in the way.
The answer is (or was for me) that the car had a front and rear central jacking point (found I n the manual / online) so the whole end of the car could be raised to get the stands under the jacking pads sing a trolley jack. I found all the ‘oh just use the suspension arm, bottom of the whatever, anywhere that’s strong enough’ very vague!
Yes I have a similar issue. On the rear of the car my jack can reach the centre jacking point location but on the front it cannot. Therefore I either need to buy a longer reach jack or come up with something else.The answer is (or was for me) that the car had a front and rear central jacking point (found I n the manual / online) so the whole end of the car could be raised to get the stands under the jacking pads sing a trolley jack. I found all the ‘oh just use the suspension arm, bottom of the whatever, anywhere that’s strong enough’ very vague!
Every car should have instructions of where to place a scissor jack, where to place a trolley jack or car lift arm and where to place stand.
Always try and leave the jack raised after placing a stand a tyres under the sills. Belt and braces. I also try and only raise and work on one corner at a time, even if it takes longer.
Always try and leave the jack raised after placing a stand a tyres under the sills. Belt and braces. I also try and only raise and work on one corner at a time, even if it takes longer.
.The issue with jacking up modern cars is the amount of plastic underneath.
my old yaris was easy to find places to jack up the car and place axle stands.
the 2017 Mazda on the other hand is a whole different thing.
There are four 5inch long sills ( reinforced pinch welds ) meaning you cannot jack up there AND place a stand next to it as it's simply not long enough, so it's one or the other.
After much reading the "correct" rear jack point is just to the left of the exhaust here.. strange or what
Using a rounded type as in your second photo on my car would be a bad idea because there is plastic on the other side of the sills, and I'd assume it would snap part of the undertray
When I took my car to get my tyres done, they literally jacked it up at the front to the point that both wheels on one side of the car were off the ground... similar to this...
Personally, my motto is, never mess with the daily driver. I just let my trusted garage do any work I need doing.
my old yaris was easy to find places to jack up the car and place axle stands.
the 2017 Mazda on the other hand is a whole different thing.
There are four 5inch long sills ( reinforced pinch welds ) meaning you cannot jack up there AND place a stand next to it as it's simply not long enough, so it's one or the other.
After much reading the "correct" rear jack point is just to the left of the exhaust here.. strange or what
Using a rounded type as in your second photo on my car would be a bad idea because there is plastic on the other side of the sills, and I'd assume it would snap part of the undertray
When I took my car to get my tyres done, they literally jacked it up at the front to the point that both wheels on one side of the car were off the ground... similar to this...
Personally, my motto is, never mess with the daily driver. I just let my trusted garage do any work I need doing.
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