Mini ramp for changing tyre

[klan8456]

Hi, I had a flat tyre today on my weekend / track car. It’s quite low to the ground, and with the tyre being flat I couldn’t get the scissor jack under the sill to the jacking point.

Needed up driving up onto my DiskLoc steering wheel lock (!!!) which worked brilliantly but sustained a bit of (repairable) damage.

Are there any off the shelf mini ramps that I could carry around in the boot with the spare tyre and jack, that would lift that side of the car up 3-5cm by driving onto it? It needs to be quite low profile to get under the front splitter.

I realize one could probably be made very easily with some plywood sheeting, but I live in a central London studio without any tools.

Thank god I carry a full size spare, jack, torque wrench etc. the BMW can of goo would have been useless with a split sidewall...

Thanks!!

Edited by klan8456 on Sunday 4th August 18:21

[Superhoop]

Search for Laser low rise ramps on Amazon..

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00FMT7SRC/ref...

Edited by Superhoop on Sunday 4th August 18:27

[Shuff4]

Caravan levelling ramps may be suitable.

[klan8456]

Superhoop said:

Search for Laser low rise ramps on Amazon..

Those look really good, thank you.

Ideally I’d be able to buy just one - will
Keep hunting and have this as a back-up. Thanks again!

[klan8456]

Shuff4 said:

Caravan levelling ramps may be suitable.

Saw some, seem to be too high and large

[GreenV8S]

If you aren't set up for DIY, just get yourself to your local DIY chain store and buy a few prefab shelf boards. Massively overpriced for what they are but will give you a few thin boards about the right size for a couple of quid.

[Oldandslow]

A railway sleeper ~£15 + circular saw + a bit of time. Makes at least 2 ramps of low angle approach at whatever angle you need and you can add an end stop.

[gareth_r]

An old scaffold board or a new plank and some screws. Any height you want.



(Pic stolen off the internet)

[RDM]

Easiest thing to use would be a Disklock steering wheel lock.

[tapkaJohnD]

klan,
did you look at the TWO threads on 'low level' jacks, just a few below yours?

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

John

[E-bmw]

klan8456 said:

Superhoop said:

Search for Laser low rise ramps on Amazon..

Those look really good, thank you.

Ideally I’d be able to buy just one - will
Keep hunting and have this as a back-up. Thanks again!

You could always just get them for 1/2 price instead.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Heavy-Duty-3-Ton-3000KG...

[klan8456]

tapkaJohnD said:

klan,
did you look at the TWO threads on 'low level' jacks, just a few below yours?

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

John

I don’t need a jack though.

[tapkaJohnD]

No, you use an unstable scissor jack, and a cobbled together ramp, or improvised one from your disclok!
Yes, you need a proper jack! And, if I might suggest in the interest of safety, some axle stands.

John

[klan8456]

tapkaJohnD said:

No, you use an unstable scissor jack, and a cobbled together ramp, or improvised one from your disclok!
Yes, you need a proper jack! And, if I might suggest in the interest of safety, some axle stands.

John

That’s a little OTT, even for me, and I’m very risk averse. I’m not going to carry around a full size jack and jack stand to do a tyre change!

The scissor jack is perfectly stable if you know how to use it - properly located on the car, on a hard, flat, level surface and never putting any part of your body under the car or between wheel and arch, crack the wheel nuts before you lift the car etc.

Draper 53093 1-Tonne Scissor Jack https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0001K9V90/ref=cm_sw_r...

Edited by klan8456 on Monday 5th August 16:51

[E-bmw]

klan8456 said:

and I’m very risk averse.

Clearly you either don't understand the concept of risk averse or just don't see the risk.

[klan8456]

E-bmw said:

klan8456 said:

and I’m very risk averse.

Clearly you either don't understand the concept of risk averse or just don't see the risk.

Clearly!

[gareth_r]

tapkaJohnD said:

No, you use an unstable scissor jack, and a cobbled together ramp, or improvised one from your disclok!
Yes, you need a proper jack! And, if I might suggest in the interest of safety, some axle stands.

The ramp is only used to create enough room under the sill for the jack.
We're talking about a wheel change, not fitting a new clutch.

[sospan]

tapkaJohnD said:

No, you use an unstable scissor jack, and a cobbled together ramp, or improvised one from your disclok!
Yes, you need a proper jack! And, if I might suggest in the interest of safety, some axle stands.

John

In that case why does every car not on run flat tyres/ can of goo sealant have axle stands alongside the jack in the boot when supplied as a new car?
Changing a tyre is different to crawling under the car.
OP either needs a low trolley jack (race style) or the ramps suggested to get his existing jack under.

[GreenV8S]

sospan said:

In that case why does every car not on run flat tyres/ can of goo sealant have axle stands alongside the jack in the boot when supplied as a new car?

There's nothing wrong with lifting and supporting the car on a screw jack, except that they are typically smaller and less stable than a hydraulic jack.

A hydraulic jack is much quicker and safer at lifting the car than a screw jack but is not a reliable way to support it. If you're using a hydraulic jack, you should be using it to lift the car onto stands rather than to support it, or at least allowing for the possibility that the jack will collapse. If a manufacturer ever provided a hydraulic jack with the car I expect they would also provide axle stands with it. Not that it is ever likely to happen given the extra cost, weight and risk.

[Oldandslow]

GreenV8S said:

There's nothing wrong with lifting and supporting the car on a screw jack, except that they are typically smaller and less stable than a hydraulic jack.

A hydraulic jack is much quicker and safer at lifting the car than a screw jack but is not a reliable way to support it. If you're using a hydraulic jack, you should be using it to lift the car onto stands rather than to support it, or at least allowing for the possibility that the jack will collapse. If a manufacturer ever provided a hydraulic jack with the car I expect they would also provide axle stands with it. Not that it is ever likely to happen given the extra cost, weight and risk.

Not in my book. Jacks are for lifting. Hydraulics can spring sudden leaks. Scissors are often weak at the pins or threads. They come with the car because they are cheap light and don't really need maintenance. They are only intended for a wheel change at the side of the road when you really have no option.

If you are going under the car then wheels on solid ramps or chassis on proper stands.