RichardUSA Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I've been jacking the front of the car from the center of the cruciform (as noted in 7FAQ and as my importer advised). I think this is correct and never had any problems although I've always been a bit uncomfortable with this unbraced/supported location. I just happened across a 2005 article in LF that noted to jack from the area of the motor mounts and not the center of unbraced members. Raising at the motor mount area torques the frame but is obviously a braced location. So does everyone lift from the cruciform center or have I just been lucky. Has anyone ever bent the tube lifting their car? BASIC TECH INFO: 2004/9,000 mile Cat w/Zetec SVT, widetrack, DeDion, 5 spd/3.62, 15-CR500's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normans_Ghost Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Jacking at the centre of the cruciform can cause the welds at the corners of the X. I always jack the front on the towing eye at the edge of the cruciform. Then put both lower wishbones on axle stands to avoid any chassis twisting. Norman Verona, 1989 BDR 220bhp, Reg: B16BDR, Mem No 2166, the full story here You and your seven toThe French Blatting Company Limited Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickrick Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 But doesn't the owners handbook say to jack at the cruciform? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlesElliott Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Have probably lifted my car from the cruiciform well over 100 times.... Charles --- Triple E Racing - build diary and race reports Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dickie Normuss Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I too jack at the cruciform, maybe I won't now. VX HPC - Loud and proud here Adding power makes you faster on the straights. Subtracting weight makes you faster everywhere Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Walker Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 The cruciform is the strongest bit of the chassis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F355GTS Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I've always used the cruciform even with a boat anchor in the front 😬 Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mickrick Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Page 35 fig 19 here But I always used the cuciform! Edited by - Mickrick on 16 Mar 2009 09:02:13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Wong1697456877 Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Just watch how much it bends if you jack at the cruciform. As advised by my 7 guru neighbour, I use a ~ 3/4 inch square bar and jack at the start of the short front section. VDU 7X Pics More VDU 7X Pics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Powderpuff Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 As advised by my 7 guru neighbour I now have images of Roger handing out scripture to all 7 owners 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roadsport06 Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 With a "proper" jack should we all be using our wishbones to jack the car then? BRG and Yellow nose now with added brooklands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Whitley Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I always jacked mine at the engine mounts and then one day when I was jacking it high to bleed the cooling system it slipped sideways and ripped up the side panel 😔 I jack at the cruciform now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Normans_Ghost Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I've seen several cars with marks indicating they have been jacked in the centre of the cruciform and fractured welds. Norman Verona, 1989 BDR 220bhp, Reg: B16BDR, Mem No 2166, the full story here You and your seven toThe French Blatting Company Limited Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FunkySon Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 But what if you've got the aero wishbones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Renshaw Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 The build manual says to jack at the cruciform (or 'centrally' at the rear) to get it onto axle stands - but that is for a bare chassis so perhaps this is where the confusion has arisen? It's Somewhat Vider and meant to be driven not polished! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul jacobs Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I think that jacking at the cruciform is fine, but I've always taken the precaution of placing a section of timber [ a bit of 4" x 2" x about a foot long] between the jack head and the tubes to spread the load and save the paint/metal being damaged. Paul J. Waiting to get my CSR back with it's new and remapped Omex ECU Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beelzebub Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I wonder what Bruce at Arch could bring to the debate Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myothercarsa2cv Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 If CC tell you to jack at the crux, then the crux subsequently fails because of said jacking, will CC then accept liability? I jack at the crux, that's what the manual says. I put something between the jack and the metal (usually carpet) but that's about it. On the 2cv, I stick it under the sump plug and lift away 😬 Edited to add that it's because my chassis is untrustworthy when it comes to staying in one piece... 😬 John _________________________ Bugsy: '82 2cv6 (Back on the road!!! 😬) Talloulah: '08 1.6K Classic (Grubby ) Edited by - myothercarsa2cv on 16 Mar 2009 17:13:37 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SLR69 Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 I am with Paul J, always jacking at the cruciform using a piece of wood to spread the load. Stuart Guernsey AR Kawaski Green SLR No 69 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickh7 Posted March 16, 2009 Share Posted March 16, 2009 Richard who used to run Seba racing told me never to jack the car on the Cruciform as it broke the welds. I use a piece of wood on the jack that lifts the car at the two front wishbone mounting points and then use the axle stand as described. Nick h Fuel your Addiction here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardUSA Posted March 17, 2009 Author Share Posted March 17, 2009 Well kids...........funny how the simplest questions aren't. *confused*I guess I will form a wood brace of some sort to help distribute the load better. Maybe a low clearance jack is on the Christmas list also. I had tried jacking at the sides and at the tow hook but this seemed to induce a painful torque in the chassis. Never saw much deflection in my chassis when jacking on the cruciform but the architect in me says it doesn't feel right regardless of what I've read or been told. The best idea I heard is that Bruce at Arch or Caterham could pipe in with a definitive or on the cruciform or other. Anyone have pull with them for an 'unbiased' and final answer. All responses were appreciated. 😶🌫️ BASIC TECH INFO: 2004/9,000 mile Cat w/Zetec SVT, widetrack, DeDion, 5 spd/3.62, 15-CR500's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reg Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Staggering, isn't it, that a car has been in production for over 50 years and yet has so little clear documentation that nobody even knows how to jack the bloody thing up Reg Marjason Silver 1800 K-series Roadsport C7 SEV www.marjason.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreamer_uk75 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 And if you're jacking it up to put axle stands on, and you've already jacked it up by that point on the side, where do you put the stand on that side! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z3MCJez Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 I've always jacked from the cruciform, with some protecting cardboard (to protect paint, not to spread load). However, as I've just ordered some expanding foam, I was thinking that I might be able to make a fitting that sits nicely around the cruciform and into the bowl on my trolley jack. Now I'm not sure that I'm even jacking in the right place! Jez Build Photos Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reg Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Of course you could get one of these and you won't have to worry any more Reg Marjason Silver 1800 K-series Roadsport C7 SEV www.marjason.co.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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