kimbo Posted May 24, 2007 Posted May 24, 2007 Firstly anybody recommend me type of axle stands. Used to use mates pit to change oil but he has moved to new house with no garage pit. Using a MachineMart jack 110mm minimum/405mm maximum. MachineMart have... 300 > 500 £24 300 > 430 £16 400 > 615 £20 (think minimum height will rule these out) Halfords ... 280 > 380 £9.99 (these look favourite due to cost!). Do I have to flatten out head of axle stand, they all see to come V shaped whereas I think a flat plate would sit better under the Lotus suspension arm (with block of wood?). Not changed the oil before using jack/axle stands but presume the following should be ok??? Warm car engine. Chock front wheels, leave in gear with handbrake on and use side jacking point. Lift one side (not to full jack extent and put axle stand under rear suspension) with axle stand on minimum setting. Go to other side of car with trolley jack and lift car to minimum axle stand setting + 1 notch. Keep moving from side to side of car until axle stands are equal at full height. Remove central part of undertray. Drain oil/change filter and drop down car and run to check for any leaks. Lift car back up and re-fit undertay - drop down again and final check of dipstick. Any comments please on axle stands and proposal. TIA kimbo
AL G Posted May 24, 2007 Posted May 24, 2007 Hi Mate.. I assume you mean putting the axle stands under each wishbone ball joint? Seen this done a few times and I'm sure it's fine but I'd use recommended chassis points if it were my car (and I do on my car) As for axle stands - I got mine from machine mart, but they aren't their own make. (They are silver ones that looked a lot more sturdy (and expensive)). Even at minimum height, I don't think I'd be happy jacking the left side, when the right side was balanced precariously on stands.. When you jack one side, the other side will just "want" to fall away as I see it. How about 4 ramps (2 sets) - facing into each wheel. You can then jack each side just a few inches at a time, gradually pushing each ramp further and further under each wheel till eventuall the car is sitting on top of the 4 of them. p.s. Bits of chunky wood on top of the axle stands I wouldn't take any risk with a nice car like yours.. Even a shitty S1 like mine I panic about it toppling over
kimbo Posted May 24, 2007 Author Posted May 24, 2007 I assume you mean putting the axle stands under each wishbone ball joint? Seen this done a few times and I'm sure it's fine but I'd use recommended chassis points if it were my car (and I do on my car) No under suspension arm - cannot use recommended chassis point as that is hidden by rear diffuser which I also want to take off with undertray. I was only going to jack up rear of car (to get under engine) - front wheels would remain on ground when car was on rear wheel axle stands. Martin - I was thinking of using ramps but thought the stands would be more useful (don't have either at the moment) plus I could also remove wheels/do brakes with stands. Kim
kimbo Posted May 24, 2007 Author Posted May 24, 2007 http://wiki.seloc.org/a/Jacking_points VFR ...thanks - I had already seen this (in handbook) however I need to jack up rear of car (D) to remove rear diffuser and central undertray...bit Catch 22 really as I can't jack with these items in position hence suggestion to use points A where you can jack with undertray in position. kimbo
jeffers Posted May 24, 2007 Posted May 24, 2007 Get a pair of ramps...without a doubt! Only benefit of axle stands that I can see is if you want to remove a wheel. Ramps are much quicker and easier to use and with less of a chance of the car falling off. I've used ramps on many occasions on my S1 without a problem. Pretty sure theyre cheaper too!
kimbo Posted May 24, 2007 Author Posted May 24, 2007 Jeffers anything got to be better than this system advertised on ebay..... Guy can't be serious - for sale on fleabay Kim
s1_austen Posted May 24, 2007 Posted May 24, 2007 kim, you are welcome to borrow my ramps, they are old and dirty but work. The only problem with ramps is you cant use them on the front as they hit the clam. Also if the car is on ramps at the back, you won't drain all the oil out as the car will not be flat.
kimbo Posted May 25, 2007 Author Posted May 25, 2007 Austen Much appreciated however from the replies I think I will persuade my small local garage to lend me their ramp overnight! Thanks all Kim
Matt C Posted May 25, 2007 Posted May 25, 2007 Kim, I have a low entry jack (posh US one). You only need to jack up one side to change the oil. Diffusers can come off without jacking.... I have done it a million times (on a K Series mind), so if you want me to pop over to help out, let me know.
s1_austen Posted May 25, 2007 Posted May 25, 2007 i was going to say that, it isn't necessary to jack it up. Mines going up on the air today to see what the heat shield looks like. Also i'm measuring up the diffuser, i'm going to be making a few of them
kimbo Posted May 25, 2007 Author Posted May 25, 2007 Kim,I have a low entry jack (posh US one). You only need to jack up one side to change the oil. Diffusers can come off without jacking.... I have done it a million times (on a K Series mind), so if you want me to pop over to help out, let me know. Matt, thanks for the offer but following your reply think I may well attempt myself first (await the 'phone call!) ...I want to change oil/filter before LM plus thought the best way of cleaning rear diffuser would be to take it off at same time. I have good jack but my concern is/was getting under the car (not quite as thin as you!!) to remove plug and filter with only jack (to point A on side of car) in place hence for extra height and a rigid set up thought I would try the axle stands which most seem to think is a bad idea. Kim
Matt C Posted May 25, 2007 Posted May 25, 2007 Kim, I have a low entry jack (posh US one). You only need to jack up one side to change the oil. Diffusers can come off without jacking.... I have done it a million times (on a K Series mind), so if you want me to pop over to help out, let me know. Matt, thanks for the offer but following your reply think I may well attempt myself first (await the 'phone call!) ...I want to change oil/filter before LM plus thought the best way of cleaning rear diffuser would be to take it off at same time. I have good jack but my concern is/was getting under the car (not quite as thin as you!!) to remove plug and filter with only jack (to point A on side of car) in place hence for extra height and a rigid set up thought I would try the axle stands which most seem to think is a bad idea. Kim Ok. Don't hesitate to ring if needed.... I'll only ask for a coffee in return... I have all the tools and cleaning products as well. Matt
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