Working Under Car

[warch]

The problem with ramps is (imo) that the design still being sold was devised in the 60s or 70s, when cars weren't quite so low to the ground. I've had problems getting normal cars built in the 90s up the ramps because of bumper/ramp interface issues. I think it is possible to get ramps with a longer and shallower ramp profile but then you get the issue of ramp in the way where you are working, plus they are rather bigger and harder to store.

[Arnie Cunningham]

I have a set of these.
http://vehiclepartsaccessories.org/en/sports_car_l...
They are excellent for modern, low, cars. The days when I’d climb under a car on just a jack are long gone.

Personally, I pop the car up on the ramps and then, jack up and stand just the corner I’m working on that needs the wheel removed.

Handbrake AND chocks on the rear axle too. Handbrakes can slip.

[Richard-D]

Tony427 said:

exportman said:

Hi

Careful with ramps on a downhill slope they can slip out from under a wheel whilst you are part way up, especially if on concrete. (dont ask me how I know)

Ditto. I had two sets of ramps. Once I had repaired the front wing, both sets went down the recycling centre.

I rarely drive on to ramps. Usually I jack the car up and put them under before lowering (needs a decent sized jack).

A tip to stop them slipping is to tie a rope to them and lay it on the ground up to each rear wheel. As you drive on the rope is trapped and holds the ramp from moving.

[bobski1]

I made some wooden ramp extensions and all has been fine. Only issue being that like said in the post about the design is quite an old style & if they were a little wider that would be great.

I did out axle stands underneath just to be safe.

The jack I bought which was a cheap SGS didn't go high enough to put the ramps under but I'm not sure if that was more the ground rather than the jack. Might try it again on smoother concrete.

[Chris32345]

Richard-D said:

I rarely drive on to ramps. Usually I jack the car up and put them under before lowering (needs a decent sized jack).

A tip to stop them slipping is to tie a rope to them and lay it on the ground up to each rear wheel. As you drive on the rope is trapped and holds the ramp from moving.

Problems with that is that for most cars you need to jack the car probably 1 -1/2 foot upwards to give enough space to get the ramp under with the drop you'd have from the suspension

[Richard-D]

Chris32345 said:

Richard-D said:

I rarely drive on to ramps. Usually I jack the car up and put them under before lowering (needs a decent sized jack).

A tip to stop them slipping is to tie a rope to them and lay it on the ground up to each rear wheel. As you drive on the rope is trapped and holds the ramp from moving.

Problems with that is that for most cars you need to jack the car probably 1 -1/2 foot upwards to give enough space to get the ramp under with the drop you'd have from the suspension

Hence decent sized jack required. Worth buying though as it makes the whole job so much easier.

[ruggedscotty]

top thread, what piston heads is and should be about.

[Olivera]

Arnie Cunningham said:

I have a set of these.
http://vehiclepartsaccessories.org/en/sports_car_l...

Those look a better style of ramp, but they're also large and bulky, and you still need all of the axle stand and jack paraphernalia when you want to work on a wheel/axle.

There's also a wider and lighter version:

https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/race-ramps-vehicle...

[Arnie Cunningham]

Absolutely, they are very bulky and I do still have the jack, stands and so forth too.
My jack won't actually go far enough one of the cars to get a useful structural point - so the ramps come in super useful then.

Those race ramps, especially the 2-piece ones, look excellent.

Olivera said:

Those look a better style of ramp, but they're also large and bulky, and you still need all of the axle stand and jack paraphernalia when you want to work on a wheel/axle.

There's also a wider and lighter version:

https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/race-ramps-vehicle...

[bobski1]

Olivera said:

Those look a better style of ramp, but they're also large and bulky, and you still need all of the axle stand and jack paraphernalia when you want to work on a wheel/axle.

There's also a wider and lighter version:

https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/race-ramps-vehicle...

Love those long ramps, if I had storage I'd have bought those.

The race ramps are good. A guy who has a similar car uses them on his YouTube videos however they are quite expensive. The ramps I have were £35 plus bits of wood I had lying around.

Overall I think depending on the work ramps/axle stands all have their place. Now how do I convince SWMBO that what I really need is a car ramp & a bigger garage!

[Richard-D]

Olivera said:

Arnie Cunningham said:

I have a set of these.
http://vehiclepartsaccessories.org/en/sports_car_l...

Those look a better style of ramp, but they're also large and bulky, and you still need all of the axle stand and jack paraphernalia when you want to work on a wheel/axle.

There's also a wider and lighter version:

https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/race-ramps-vehicle...

Although they look like a good idea the flat section on the top of those looks precariously short. I certainly wouldn't go under the Corvette in the advert.

[GreenV8S]

Richard-D said:

Although they look like a good idea the flat section on the top of those looks precariously short. I certainly wouldn't go under the Corvette in the advert.

Way too short for comfort, and no sign of a lip to stop the car rolling back off.

[finishing touch]

You may remember the scene in Crocodile Dundee, walking down a New York street when a young bloke jumps out with a knife.

"Call that a knife ? This is a knife."



Well, "Call them ramps ? These are ramps."

[Richard-D]

They look like Brian James (or similar) car trailer ramps. I like the resourcefulness but with no flat section for the raised wheels I wouldn't be going under that either. It's just not worth the risk of an excruciating death.

[Chris32345]

warch said:

The problem with ramps is (imo) that the design still being sold was devised in the 60s or 70s, when cars weren't quite so low to the ground. I've had problems getting normal cars built in the 90s up the ramps because of bumper/ramp interface issues. I think it is possible to get ramps with a longer and shallower ramp profile but then you get the issue of ramp in the way where you are working, plus they are rather bigger and harder to store.

But some railways sleepers and cut them to whatever length ramp you want

[devnull]

I stopped fussing about with ramps and axle stands, and went to Quick Jacks, about the best I can get for a residential garage and able to be stored pretty compactly.

[rigga]

^^^^ me too, although not sure with the OP's slope.

[Arnie Cunningham]

I like that. Will add to the christmas prezzie list.

[bobski1]

devnull said:

I stopped fussing about with ramps and axle stands, and went to Quick Jacks, about the best I can get for a residential garage and able to be stored pretty compactly.

I think I could use that as closer to the house there is very minimal slope However at the moment it's a little out the budget.

Once the garage is done I'll buy a set to use instead of a ramp

What make are those & what's the capacity? I need 3tn

[rigga]

Quickjack, come in several lifting capacitys, for lifting 3 ton the bl 3500 slx is rated for 3500lb

Then there is the bl 5000 slx and bl 7500 slx

https://www.vehiclelifts4home.co.uk/mobile-portabl...

Edited by rigga on Thursday 12th November 21:24