Westfield on axle stands

[LaurenceFrost]

Our Megabusa build is progressing nicely, and in the not too distant future our engine will be installed, so the chassis needs to come off the supplied Westfield stands, and down onto axle stands.

However, the entire underneath of the body is covered by an aluminum sheet, so where should I place the axle stands? The stands have a "U" shape like these pictured:



Will I have to make some blocks of wood?

Also, where is it safe to jack the car up and down? the front and rear cross-bars perhaps?

[kayos]

Yes, put some wood in between the car and the stand to spread the load.

[LaurenceFrost]

Thanks kayos - where should the wood run across? Anywhere that the aluminium panel has been riveted (indicating a cross-member for the space frame)?

[Sam_68]

LaurenceFrost said:

where should the wood run across? Anywhere that the aluminium panel has been riveted (indicating a cross-member for the space frame)?

Ideally, when lifting/jacking any space frame, you should do it at a 'node point' where a vertical tube and a diagonal bracing tube meet the horizontal bottom frame rails. In practice, Westfields are strong enough for their weight that it isn't crucial, but you should certainly avoid supporting it in the middle of one of the bottom rails, between bracing.

[kayos]

As Sam68 says, I have a Marlin which is made from girders so dont have the problems that I might damage the floor!.

[wiz 1]

Hope you have a low trolley jack. I treated myself to a professional one whilst thinking of getting a classic car when i changed my mind and got a westy, found the thing wont fit under the front end unless i remove the saddle. Just fits under the diff but the fronts awkward to get stands under when the jacks there. Found that putting large blocks of wood under the tyres works. Similair to ramps but take up less room and cost less. Still a problem with wheels off.

[eliot]

Four ramps worked well for us:
http://mez.co.uk/westfield/DSCF0003.JPG

We fitted the engine with it on them.
http://mez.co.uk/westfield/

And yes - get yourself a low trolley-jack. ebay or costco's.

Edited by eliot on Sunday 23 December 18:50

[Sam_68]

eliot said:

And yes - get yourself a low trolley-jack. ebay or costco's.

Or some offcuts of a plank of wood to roll the car onto when you want to slip your usual trolley jack underneath.

[wiz 1]

Sam_68 said:

eliot said:

And yes - get yourself a low trolley-jack. ebay or costco's.

Or some offcuts of a plank of wood to roll the car onto when you want to slip your usual trolley jack underneath.

Good idea