Jacking points / methods

[Hoofty]

If, like me, you have nothing more elaborate than a trolley jack with which to lift your A110, what's the best method for getting it up onto stands?

Usually (on other cars) I find some sort of cross member and lift one axle at a time; it's never fun, but is at least fairly stable. I don't fancy my chances in being able to do this on the Alpine.

I can't see a way of lifting it other than one corner at a time, using the sill jacking points. This will work for changing wheels, but still, I'm all ears for anything cleverer.

Nick

[Life110]

If you use a rubber pad you can jack on the subframe, more or less at the points where the suspensions arms mount. As the car is so light there's not much load. But you will need a very low level jack with long reach, and you might not be able to get to the front.

[Liam22]

I use the rear jacking point (sill protrusions) to lift each side. Then position one axle stand on the front jacking point, and another under one of the rear suspension/subframe bolts.

Sorry don't have better photos, but this gives you an idea.

[Hoofty]

Thanks both - two different ways which have vastly improved my confidence, much appreciated.

I made some stepped ramps a few years ago as I can't get to the subframe on the M3 without raising the car a little, I suspect with those I'll be able to manage lifting the front.

Plus there's always a Quickjack...

[Car Mad Dave]

Hoofty said:

Plus there's always a Quickjack...

Has anyone got a quick jack or similar - worth it?

[Hoofty]

From the looks of the winter tyre thread, iKenndac has something similar.

There's little doubt that it'd be an extravagance, but lifting a car is far from the most enjoyable task, and the A110 dimensions and masses at least demand no more than the entry BL-3500SLX Quickjack (£935). Conveniently this would also do for my other car, if not all the cars I hope to own.

[LE62NDE]

It's not urgent -I only want clean the wheels, calipers and arch liners- but do I need additional plastic inserts/pads when jacking the car up?

[worldwidewebs]

You don't 'need' them but having a pad that locates in the jacking point can be useful. If the trolley jack slides easily as the car rises I wouldn't sweat it

[SapphireBlack]

Does anyone know what the torque setting for the wheels is?

I'd like to take mine off and clean them :-)

[worldwidewebs]

SapphireBlack said:

Does anyone know what the torque setting for the wheels is?

I'd like to take mine off and clean them :-)

120Nm

[bcr5784]

worldwidewebs said:

SapphireBlack said:

Does anyone know what the torque setting for the wheels is?

I'd like to take mine off and clean them :-)

120Nm

My recent service said 130nm - but I'm not sure if the extra 10nm is significant.

[worldwidewebs]

bcr5784 said:

My recent service said 130nm - but I'm not sure if the extra 10nm is significant.

It’s not if they don’t come off

I never torque them up FWIW - just use experience

[CliveJ7]

LE62NDE said:

It's not urgent -I only want clean the wheels, calipers and arch liners- but do I need additional plastic inserts/pads when jacking the car up?

I manage easily with a low rise trolley jack but as worldwidewebs says, always use a rubber jacking pad.

One thing I would strongly recommend if you're taking the wheels off to clean is to ceramic coat at least the calipers (and inside of the wheels if you can be bothered) but also the bells - only the part with the Alpine lettering on. On my previous S there was surface corrosion on them within a short time from new, whereas on my current GT which I treated from new, there's hardly any after 4k+ miles.
Much easier to keep the brakes clean too!