Axle stands and gravel driveway
Discussion
Bad idea?
Need to take a look under my car, but only have a gravel driveway.
I've been reading about how to jack up and support a car on gravel. It seems to be frowned upon, but can be done if you use something suitable to support the axle stands.
Obviously, I'm not going anywhere under my car without it being supported properly.
Has anyone worked on their car on gravel? Our driveway isn't thick gravel, just a thin layer of the stuff.
Need to take a look under my car, but only have a gravel driveway.
I've been reading about how to jack up and support a car on gravel. It seems to be frowned upon, but can be done if you use something suitable to support the axle stands.
Obviously, I'm not going anywhere under my car without it being supported properly.
Has anyone worked on their car on gravel? Our driveway isn't thick gravel, just a thin layer of the stuff.
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
I do it to put the winters on, no bother.
You could always put some ply or board under the stand ?
Plywood does seem to be the solution. I need to invest in some decent equipment first though (trolley jack and axle stands).You could always put some ply or board under the stand ?
Other forums suggest plywood. Obviously, I need to make sure everything is sturdy before getting under the vehicle.
Whats under the gravel? How gravely is your gravel is it like a cat litter tray!?
Put it this way if you can safely jack and everything seems stable, the an axle stand will be fine, especially a flat based type. The trick is to get everything in position take your time and don't go under unless everything is stable.
Put it this way if you can safely jack and everything seems stable, the an axle stand will be fine, especially a flat based type. The trick is to get everything in position take your time and don't go under unless everything is stable.
interloper said:
Whats under the gravel? How gravely is your gravel is it like a cat litter tray!?
Put it this way if you can safely jack and everything seems stable, the an axle stand will be fine, especially a flat based type. The trick is to get everything in position take your time and don't go under unless everything is stable.
The ground under the gravel just seems like very compressed soil. It's not soft, but isn't concrete or anything like that. We've had cars on the drive for three years now and nothing has sunk.Put it this way if you can safely jack and everything seems stable, the an axle stand will be fine, especially a flat based type. The trick is to get everything in position take your time and don't go under unless everything is stable.
The amount of gravel isn't a thick layer. You can scrape it away with your hand.
I guess some big pieces of plywood would work. They would spread the load over a wide area, wouldn't sink, and would mean I could roll a trolley jack underneath.
I will give it a go and see how it is before getting under the car. Thanks.
greygoose said:
I usually go to my village hall car park when it is quiet and use their Tarmac as more solid and safer.
I don't really have anywhere that is tarmac to use.My parent's have a solid drive, but it is block paved. I'm not sure that is very strong.
We do have a section of block paved drive in front of the house. Then the rest of the drive is gravel. I think I would use plywood whatever I'm placing the vehicle on. I've been reading about some axle stands sinking in tarmac!
You said you have not bought the kit yet? If not, get the stands from machine mart. The four-legged ones with a ratchet mechanism on top. Will be very stable on the flat plywood I reckon, plus there's a bit of sideways movement in the ratchet arm that might help you take out any slope.
Update.
Old car sold, so I never got round to looking underneath. Hunting for a snotter now and plan to do my own repairs (and finally learn spannering in the process).
My gravel driveway is old, so the depth of the gravel isn't too deep at all. I'm going to get some plywood or scaffold boards and may get a pair of the axle stands below. I'd rather go for the 6 tonne across the stands load, rather than the 3. Any good?
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cax-6tbc-6-ton-axl...
These are more expensive. So, are they worth the extra money?
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/020110106/
Old car sold, so I never got round to looking underneath. Hunting for a snotter now and plan to do my own repairs (and finally learn spannering in the process).
My gravel driveway is old, so the depth of the gravel isn't too deep at all. I'm going to get some plywood or scaffold boards and may get a pair of the axle stands below. I'd rather go for the 6 tonne across the stands load, rather than the 3. Any good?
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/cax-6tbc-6-ton-axl...
These are more expensive. So, are they worth the extra money?
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/020110106/
Edited by funkyrobot on Tuesday 20th December 21:12
Pin stands cover up to 3 tonnes. Should be plenty:
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-cax3tp-3ton...
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-cax3tp-3ton...
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