Fast and compact jacking methods
Discussion
With the abundance of free time of late, It'd be nice to get the car up and do some work - Bit of cleaning, tyre rotation, install underglow, etc. 
I've got a single-car width drive, with the neighbour's car fairly close on one side, and a garden on the other - So far, I've been able to do everything with a Halfords trolley jack and a pair of jackstands, but it'd be nice to be able to just lift the whole car quickly, with less hefting of trolley jacks.
Now, Things like a quickjack would be grand, but they're expensive, heavy / large and would be another thing to get out / put away.
I seem to remember seeing somewhere that somone was using a good quality scissor jack with a ratchet fitting, and a rattle gun / electric wrench to quickly lift the car up, and pop it down - This would be ideal - Quick, compact and easy to just grab and get out in a couple of minutes.
Now, I'm thinking of taking this a step further - Grab four of the scissor jacks, to enable lifting corner by corner, which would get the car completely up, fairly quickly, without having to do dans le trolley jack / faffing with jack stands and dubiously balancing the car, etc.
A simple question; Is this safe / sane? Is anyone else doing this? - I'm not planning extensive work under the car whilst supported just by the jacks, and I can place my existing jack stands under the front / rear jacking points once the car is up.
Opinions?
I've got a single-car width drive, with the neighbour's car fairly close on one side, and a garden on the other - So far, I've been able to do everything with a Halfords trolley jack and a pair of jackstands, but it'd be nice to be able to just lift the whole car quickly, with less hefting of trolley jacks.
Now, Things like a quickjack would be grand, but they're expensive, heavy / large and would be another thing to get out / put away.
I seem to remember seeing somewhere that somone was using a good quality scissor jack with a ratchet fitting, and a rattle gun / electric wrench to quickly lift the car up, and pop it down - This would be ideal - Quick, compact and easy to just grab and get out in a couple of minutes.
Now, I'm thinking of taking this a step further - Grab four of the scissor jacks, to enable lifting corner by corner, which would get the car completely up, fairly quickly, without having to do dans le trolley jack / faffing with jack stands and dubiously balancing the car, etc.
A simple question; Is this safe / sane? Is anyone else doing this? - I'm not planning extensive work under the car whilst supported just by the jacks, and I can place my existing jack stands under the front / rear jacking points once the car is up.
Opinions?
DuraAce said:
4 scissor Jacks?!
F that. I'd have to be desperate to use one!
F that. I'd have to be desperate to use one!
To be fair, I would generally consider them fairly up there on the "Sketchy scale", but I've got a flat, solid surface.
I took some inspiration from these: https://www.amazon.co.uk/ZS-ZAISHANG-Scissor-Elect...
The idea is to lift as evenly as possible, 4 seperate jacks to be wound up(if I am readng right) is a bit dodgy. I am in a similar situation, I put the car onto ramps, then get a subsatntial jack ,3 ton Clarkes etc, with a lift bar attachment, & slowly lift the rear until level the solid jack stands. I turn one of the ramps around to face the opposite way so nothing can move there, or if I need to work on wheels just extra jack stands at front & take ramps away. Good Luck, take your time & work safe.
I know you can buy sturdy scissor Jack's but personally they are a last resort to me, jacking a car isnt something to rush. As you say you've got time on your hands. A good trolley jack, proper one and 4 axle stands. You can buy the large motor home axle stands where you can get the car up 18 inches or so. Dont rush as its not worth it.
My late Father in Law was a Copper in Co Durham. 60's and 70's bit of 80's.
Over 20 years on the 'Beat' and on a Motorcycle, he attended, and helped to pull out five Dead Bodys from underneath cars.
That was when everybody maintained their cars on a Saturday Morning.
Small clusters of Council Garages away from the main home.
The phone call would go, "He hasn't come home for his Tea, he went off to the Garage this Morning"!
Dont even bother thinking about it.
Over 20 years on the 'Beat' and on a Motorcycle, he attended, and helped to pull out five Dead Bodys from underneath cars.
That was when everybody maintained their cars on a Saturday Morning.
Small clusters of Council Garages away from the main home.
The phone call would go, "He hasn't come home for his Tea, he went off to the Garage this Morning"!
Dont even bother thinking about it.
Standard scissor jacks are only stable when 3 wheels are on the ground, you an actually see them wobble as you lift the car, imagine the car up in the air on all four and then imagine pushing the side of the car, there is nothing to stop a sideways movement with such a small base on the jack
TCruise said:
NOT Scissor Jack's, but what else is out there?
Best thing I saw was Pillow type object, that was connected to an airline.
Was brilliant.
they're called air jacks. They're pretty pricy though for someone who already has a proper trolley jack. Some can even be inflated with exhaust gases to help recover cars stuck in sand etc while off-roading.Best thing I saw was Pillow type object, that was connected to an airline.
Was brilliant.
I'd just get a proper floor trolley jack if you're wanting to lift the car quickly but can't justify the money/space for a lift.
Edited by bluezedd on Wednesday 8th April 01:17
TCruise said:
Best thing I saw was Pillow type object, that was connected to an airline.
I've never used one, but I've seen pictures of airbag based car lifts that look as if they would provide no sideways stability once the wheel was off the ground. Maybe OK if you only plan to lift up one corner, but they seemed less safe than a scissor jack let alone a trolley jack.Depending what car you're working on as some don't seem to have a suitable central jacking point.
You could drive the front wheels onto some wooden blocks stacked like steps, then hopefully you can reach the centre of the chassis at the front and jack the front in one go. Then the rear should be higher anyway. You only have to do 2 lifts that way and not jack from the sides.
I was working on the Mrs suzuki swift last week and was pleasantly surprised to find a rear central jacking point. Both wheels up in no time as the rear axle wasn't suitable for jacking up in the centre.
You could drive the front wheels onto some wooden blocks stacked like steps, then hopefully you can reach the centre of the chassis at the front and jack the front in one go. Then the rear should be higher anyway. You only have to do 2 lifts that way and not jack from the sides.
I was working on the Mrs suzuki swift last week and was pleasantly surprised to find a rear central jacking point. Both wheels up in no time as the rear axle wasn't suitable for jacking up in the centre.
These came out a few years ago, brilliant idea that allows you to put the axle stand directly where you've already lifted with the trolley jack. You can safely lift all 4 corners, they're US -made and pricey, but they ship to UK:
http://www.jackpointjackstands.com/
I think there are some competing products now, but all seem to be US unbless you know of a UK distributor. This one is a single use as it's not as sturdy for all 4 wheels, but certainly better than a scissor jack:
https://safejacks.com/products/the-rennstand-by-sa...
http://www.jackpointjackstands.com/
I think there are some competing products now, but all seem to be US unbless you know of a UK distributor. This one is a single use as it's not as sturdy for all 4 wheels, but certainly better than a scissor jack:
https://safejacks.com/products/the-rennstand-by-sa...
Jefferson Steelflex said:
These came out a few years ago, brilliant idea that allows you to put the axle stand directly where you've already lifted with the trolley jack. You can safely lift all 4 corners, they're US -made and pricey, but they ship to UK:
http://www.jackpointjackstands.com/
I think there are some competing products now, but all seem to be US unbless you know of a UK distributor. This one is a single use as it's not as sturdy for all 4 wheels, but certainly better than a scissor jack:
https://safejacks.com/products/the-rennstand-by-sa...
This is a problem I've often thought about and have considered invensting in something like the quick lift or sealey pivot lift, but they're pricey for the use I would get out of them....http://www.jackpointjackstands.com/
I think there are some competing products now, but all seem to be US unbless you know of a UK distributor. This one is a single use as it's not as sturdy for all 4 wheels, but certainly better than a scissor jack:
https://safejacks.com/products/the-rennstand-by-sa...
https://www.quickjack.com
https://www.sealey.co.uk/category/5637150803/vehic...
I really like the options in those links.
I'd like to see someone making a rachet or adjustable version of either.
I cant see why those jackpoint jack stands aren't height height adjustable
Make up some form of seated shims/spacers if you need to add height or even a threaded jackpoint with a theaded pad that can be wound up.
Maybe there is already something on the market I'm not aware of, but I would be interested to see it.
OP - I would never trust my life under scissor jacks not even one corner.
Car is always on stands with a wheel placed underneath, I always give the car a good shake before I stick any part of me underneath it.
I've got two of these:
They are excellent for a 4x4 but too high for a car. You might find something similar. Bought on Amazon and had them shipped.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ULZGFU/ref=p...
They are excellent for a 4x4 but too high for a car. You might find something similar. Bought on Amazon and had them shipped.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ULZGFU/ref=p...
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