Working Under Car
Discussion
Need to change waterpump on my car and given the things going on getting to my mates garage isn't going to be possible.
The driveway I have is slightly sloped and the car is too wide to get it to the rear where it is flatter.
I have a set of axle stands and was thinking of buying a jack to get it up easier. Another option I have seen is to buy a set of car ramps with chocks.
Any advice?
The driveway I have is slightly sloped and the car is too wide to get it to the rear where it is flatter.
I have a set of axle stands and was thinking of buying a jack to get it up easier. Another option I have seen is to buy a set of car ramps with chocks.
Any advice?
I'e a set of homemade wooden ramps that my wife was given by a neighbour about 30 year ago. Strong, reliable, (so are the ramps) they are larger than the metal ones you buy and in regular use.
Have axle stands and do use them at times, the decent jack will come in useful for other jobs too.
remember you need to store whatever you buy.
Have axle stands and do use them at times, the decent jack will come in useful for other jobs too.
remember you need to store whatever you buy.
I'd much prefer to use ramps rather than axle stands unless you need to work on the suspension. If the ground is sloping, ideally you'd put the ramps at the downhill end of the car so that the slope works in your favor.
Just as a sanity check - do you actually need to work under the car to do the job?
Just as a sanity check - do you actually need to work under the car to do the job?
If you need in at the crank pulley then ramps might not be of use as many cars need a front wheel removed.
My advice would be to always chock the wheels whether you're using axle stands or ramps. Also use the hand brake and put the car in gear too. Use the jack as a backup to support the car, and you could also put wheels under the car as a backup too. Definitely shake and push the car before you go under as better for it to fall when you're not under it. I'd also inspect how the car is sitting on whatever you are using to lift it (e.g. is half the wheel hanging off a ramp? is an axle stand seated correctly?)
Lastly, if you have any doubts then just pay someone else to do the job.
My advice would be to always chock the wheels whether you're using axle stands or ramps. Also use the hand brake and put the car in gear too. Use the jack as a backup to support the car, and you could also put wheels under the car as a backup too. Definitely shake and push the car before you go under as better for it to fall when you're not under it. I'd also inspect how the car is sitting on whatever you are using to lift it (e.g. is half the wheel hanging off a ramp? is an axle stand seated correctly?)
Lastly, if you have any doubts then just pay someone else to do the job.
I couldn't use ramps on my car, the front bumper and splitter is too low.
I prefer to use quality axle stands and a good jack anyway, just make sure how you use them gives you a properly solid base to work from and check its safe before you get under the car.
Some cars have points under them designed as axle stand positions, going outside those can see the car falling off if using 4 stands due to weight distribution issue (Lotus Elise has these), so be careful and check.
I prefer to use quality axle stands and a good jack anyway, just make sure how you use them gives you a properly solid base to work from and check its safe before you get under the car.
Some cars have points under them designed as axle stand positions, going outside those can see the car falling off if using 4 stands due to weight distribution issue (Lotus Elise has these), so be careful and check.
The ideal way is to get under the car as it requires draining the coolant. I have seen videos where it was doing via the drain plug on the rad. Alternative was to just unplug the lowest hose and let it drain out but then I need to buy a bigger plastic tray to catch all the coolant!
Had a bit of a walk around and it does level off with about 2ft of concrete at the front of the house but I think I will get a good set of ramps instead.
So second question, where can I get a good set of ramps? Do they come in a range of widths as the tyres are 8J.
Had a bit of a walk around and it does level off with about 2ft of concrete at the front of the house but I think I will get a good set of ramps instead.
So second question, where can I get a good set of ramps? Do they come in a range of widths as the tyres are 8J.
I'd say Axle Stands
...coz not being able to get a wheel off using Ramps, as mentioned prior
and the 'Bulkiness' of Ramps, both in terms of storing them, and them being where you want to work beneath the car.
I have both, albeit with a Flat Driveway, and there's rarely a scenario whereby I use the Ramps rather than Axle Stands
Satisfy yourself that you can find somewhere to Jack the Car and position the Axle Stands beneath it, with the Jack in situ; before you spend your money. I've found on occasion that finding three such suitable points can be tricky. Park it with two wheels on a regular height kerb and you'll likely have sufficient access for a cursory look, or find an 'Underside' pic in your Haynes manual.
Good luck, and above all, ensure your own safety; it could kill you if it falls on you
...coz not being able to get a wheel off using Ramps, as mentioned prior
and the 'Bulkiness' of Ramps, both in terms of storing them, and them being where you want to work beneath the car.
I have both, albeit with a Flat Driveway, and there's rarely a scenario whereby I use the Ramps rather than Axle Stands
Satisfy yourself that you can find somewhere to Jack the Car and position the Axle Stands beneath it, with the Jack in situ; before you spend your money. I've found on occasion that finding three such suitable points can be tricky. Park it with two wheels on a regular height kerb and you'll likely have sufficient access for a cursory look, or find an 'Underside' pic in your Haynes manual.
Good luck, and above all, ensure your own safety; it could kill you if it falls on you
So I bought a trolley jack & some ramps however the ramps are going back. The front lip on the number is really low, I tried to get it up further with some wood underneath but it still didn't clear.
Asked a friend to borrow his slide in jacks on the weekend which is annoying as I wanted to get it done today so it gave me time to check if it was okay
Asked a friend to borrow his slide in jacks on the weekend which is annoying as I wanted to get it done today so it gave me time to check if it was okay
warch said:
I don't like axle stands so I either use ramps (not feasible in your case) or wooden blocks/sleepers under the sill or axle depending on what I'm doing. BTW I'm sure axle stands are fine and perfectly safe but if I'm working I use whatever I'm happy entrusting my life to.
I have some solid ground which I can put the stands on so in the morning I think I'm going to try the axle stands and see how it is.I do have some wood knocking about so I might try the ramps again but might use the wood to make a longer less steep ramp.
I'm not one usually given to overly thinking health and safety but I do plan for it when working under a car. Cos they're heavy and I'm squishy.
I hate ramps bar little ones for getting a lowered car up enough to get a jack under. May have had a couple of incidents of ramps shifting when I was younger. Either sliding forward as you try to climb or one pulling under a driven wheel.
I built support blocks out of cut sleepers with chocked ends. I prefer to jack up the car and slip a support under the lifted wheel. Spreads load on the surface below and pretty stable.
I only use axle stands if I need a wheel off at that corner. Also only use a stand on concrete or maybe brick. Tarmac can be dodgy, it's never happened to me but I've seen the impression of jack wheels and axle stands left in tarmac and wondered how close it was to punching through if the tarmac was only a thin covering. Plus the jack(trolley) sticks in it's divots and doesn't slide under as it lifts but tries to pull the car to it and possibly off a support on the other side/end. Scissor jacks get around this but they give me the willies.
Don't work on gravel if at all possible. It's uncomfortable. You lose everything in the gravel. You never know when it might just move under load.
I hate ramps bar little ones for getting a lowered car up enough to get a jack under. May have had a couple of incidents of ramps shifting when I was younger. Either sliding forward as you try to climb or one pulling under a driven wheel.
I built support blocks out of cut sleepers with chocked ends. I prefer to jack up the car and slip a support under the lifted wheel. Spreads load on the surface below and pretty stable.
I only use axle stands if I need a wheel off at that corner. Also only use a stand on concrete or maybe brick. Tarmac can be dodgy, it's never happened to me but I've seen the impression of jack wheels and axle stands left in tarmac and wondered how close it was to punching through if the tarmac was only a thin covering. Plus the jack(trolley) sticks in it's divots and doesn't slide under as it lifts but tries to pull the car to it and possibly off a support on the other side/end. Scissor jacks get around this but they give me the willies.
Don't work on gravel if at all possible. It's uncomfortable. You lose everything in the gravel. You never know when it might just move under load.
So the axle stand idea didn't work, there is a hacking pad at the front cross member but I couldn't see it so I left that idea until I get it up and identify it properly.
Ended up making wooden ramps to aid the front splitter. They worked quite well tbh. Although the offside didn't take as well as the nearside but I think that was more the ground.
Left it on the ramps overnight with some chocks and work starts tomorrow!
Ended up making wooden ramps to aid the front splitter. They worked quite well tbh. Although the offside didn't take as well as the nearside but I think that was more the ground.
Left it on the ramps overnight with some chocks and work starts tomorrow!
jsf said:
I couldn't use ramps on my car, the front bumper and splitter is too low.
.
I reduce the slope with my ramps by using a series of off cuts from wooden decking, to create a much shallower ramp. .
Not because it's low, but just because it stops the ramp sliding.
I may be paranoid. I put axle stands under the sills, when I'm using the ramps, and ramps under the sills when I'm using axle stands.
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