Trolley jack - knackered sills...?

[Roop]

I like to keep my cars looking mint and this means using a jack to enable me to remove the wheels to clean them properly.

My Focus recommends jacking the car using the sills - even with a trolley jack. Now, I can understand with a scissor jack that the U-shaped "lifting plate" (can't think of a better term) will fit round the sill and spread the load somewhat. With a trolley jack and the saucer-shaped lifting plate, it has only two tiny contact patches with the sills, leading me to think that the sills will easily be damaged.

Is there an adapter I can get (or a different jack) that will help spread the load along a few inches of sill as opposed to about a quarter of an inch...?

Ideas...?

[Roop]

Mr Will said:

A block of wood?

I thought about this, but then thought if the wood splits for some reason, I am properly goosed. If wood's good then wood it is

[Roop]

HellDiver said:

Block of hard wood with a notch cut in it to match the profile of the sill.

OK. That's two for a block of wood. Looking good for the wood right now

[Roop]

HellDiver said:

The ones I used were made out of Ash which is a nice tight grain so unlikely to split. I wouldn't do it on a soft wood like Pine or Spruce.

OK. Time for a trip to the local equivalent of B&Q at the weekend then.

[Roop]

Munter said:

You can also get trolley jacks that have a rubber pad rather than the usual ...err... metal "dish". But I suspect a piece of 'ard wood may be cheaper.

Interesting. The trolley jack's my dad's so investing in my own isn't out of the equation. I could be tempted if I could find the right type with this rubber block job. Sounds good. Meanwhile the block de wood should see me through for a bit.

Thanks chaps

[Roop]

Ponk said:

Negative Creep said:

Trolley jack on the wishbone or suspension mount. Sorted.

+1

no straight forward alternative to the sills on the Focus tho

[Roop]

plenty said:

Anyone got a solution for axle stands? Putting the stands directly on the car rips off the underseal, but I wouldn't feel comfortable balancing the car with a piece of wood or a rubber puck on top of the stands.

Ooh. Me. I know this one. I cut squares off an old rubber car mat. Works great.

[Roop]

JohnWest said:

Has anyone had any experience of using jacking pads, something like this:



Those ones specifically are from amazon, £10 a pair:

TengKo Jack Pad, 2 Pack Universal Slotted Rubber Jack Pad Frame Rail Protector 65mm/2.56 inch Diameter https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07BH3NKRK/ref=cm_sw_r...

My cars get jacked up twice a year to swap wheels so it’s what I’d call for occasional use. I currently use what a previous poster referred to as a cheap £20 trolley jack and he/she is right, the cup on them isn’t massive. I’m hoping the blocks will prevent any damage to the sills and increase stability. Am I asking too much of a £10 product from Amazon?

Holy thread resurrection...! I have some of those cups with the slots (£10 a par from eBay) and they work well. Mine are slightly different in that the slot is designed to fit the U-shaped head of my axle stands to avoid metal on metal. Assuming they're similar, they're made from a very tough rubber like material a bit like shore-100 bushes. I wouldn't rate them for professional use but for the occasional use they are pretty good.