Silly question but...
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Ruskie

Original Poster:

4,517 posts

229 months

Wednesday 18th August 2010
quotequote all
If I use the standard jack from the boot will I be able to get enough height to get axle stands underneath?

slipstream 1985

13,764 posts

208 months

Wednesday 18th August 2010
quotequote all
depends how big your axle stands are

hman

7,497 posts

223 months

Wednesday 18th August 2010
quotequote all
normally yes, but it will be wobbly and getting it on the second stand is a nerve racking affair waiting for it to slip on the first ( car jacks rarely lift straight up as they are cantilevers) and make an axle stand shaped dent in your sill/floor pan.

The same applies when getting it off the 2nd stand.

I dont use axle stands on suspension arms as I've seen the m damage ally arms etc. I mount them on the jack points or suitable chassis beam.

Buying a trolley jack costs all of about £25 for a cheapo halfords jobbie, will do the job so long as you dont exceeed the weight limit on the trolley jack.

Car jacks supplied in the boot are emergency apparatus not maintenance equipment.


Ruskie

Original Poster:

4,517 posts

229 months

Wednesday 18th August 2010
quotequote all
hman said:
normally yes, but it will be wobbly and getting it on the second stand is a nerve racking affair waiting for it to slip on the first ( car jacks rarely lift straight up as they are cantilevers) and make an axle stand shaped dent in your sill/floor pan.

The same applies when getting it off the 2nd stand.

I dont use axle stands on suspension arms as I've seen the m damage ally arms etc. I mount them on the jack points or suitable chassis beam.

Buying a trolley jack costs all of about £25 for a cheapo halfords jobbie, will do the job so long as you dont exceeed the weight limit on the trolley jack.

Car jacks supplied in the boot are emergency apparatus not maintenance equipment.
Not going to be working under the car. It is more for taking wheels off to paint calipers/clean arches. Would I be better with a trolley jack and leave it jacked up and take wheels off that way?

hman

7,497 posts

223 months

Wednesday 18th August 2010
quotequote all
Still use axle stands, jacks to jack up, stands to stand!

Trolley jacks can drop - slowly or suddenly if they fail.

Had a brand new trolley jack fail after 4 uses ( forth wheel!)

Couldnt get the car off the stands!!!biggrin

Ruskie

Original Poster:

4,517 posts

229 months

Wednesday 18th August 2010
quotequote all
hman said:
Still use axle stands, jacks to jack up, stands to stand!

Trolley jacks can drop - slowly or suddenly if they fail.

Had a brand new trolley jack fail after 4 uses ( forth wheel!)

Couldnt get the car off the stands!!!biggrin
yikes

Point taken!!



hman

7,497 posts

223 months

Wednesday 18th August 2010
quotequote all
It was at that point that I had to use the emergency jack in the boot to get the car off the stands.

Well it was an emergency, I wanted my money back for the trolley jack!

EDLT

15,421 posts

235 months

Wednesday 18th August 2010
quotequote all
The emergency jack would probably hold the car up, it is designed to work without an axle stand. However they always looked a bit unstable to me, so it would be best to use a stand as well.

Ruskie

Original Poster:

4,517 posts

229 months

Wednesday 18th August 2010
quotequote all
Will get the Trolley jack/axle stand pack from Halfords because I am painting calipers so might be up for a couple of hours. Followed by a detailing marathon biggrin

hman

7,497 posts

223 months

Wednesday 18th August 2010
quotequote all
Me too!! beer

Taken a day off work to change front discs (and poss rears) and paint calipers!

Going with black Hammerite smooth - apparently good stuff!


ymwoods

2,194 posts

206 months

Thursday 19th August 2010
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When I change the oil in my car I always (trolley) jack it up on one side and just put the axle stand under the rail incase the jack fails and then do my oil change and I have never had a problem. So I don't see a problem in jacking it up on a trolley jack and just placing an axle stand under the rail incase the jack fails whilst your painting. I would not leave it jacked up overnight though or whilst the paint dries as they are not really designed to be left holding weight for long periods of time.

I would invest in a trolley jack to jack the car up but then use axle stands once it us up. Check up on where is strong enough to take the axle stands without damaging the car though. On my 206 I use the ball joints for just an overnighter as they are strong enough to have the weight of the car on them. The chassis rails on the 206 are crap and you often come out to see an axle stand sized dent in it when you remove them.

Ruskie

Original Poster:

4,517 posts

229 months

Thursday 19th August 2010
quotequote all
Any suggestions on where the best/strongest spot for axle stands would be on a e46 330?