fool on the hill Posted January 8, 2001 Share Posted January 8, 2001 I am about to take delivery of a K series caterham (2nd hand from caterhams). halfords are doing a trolley jack and axle stand offer. The jack lifts from 13 to 46 cms. Short of buying it is there any way I can check I can get it under the car? Perhaps someone knows the answer! thanks in advance James If it ain't broke, maybe it's time I had a look at it... Edited by - fool on the hill on 8 Jan 2001 11:12:51 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julians Posted January 8, 2001 Share Posted January 8, 2001 I bought one of those a month or so ago, and it fits under mine fine. Its a 97 supersprint BTW. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fool on the hill Posted January 8, 2001 Author Share Posted January 8, 2001 thanks julian, I'll go shopping this afternoon! James If it ain't broke, maybe it's time I had a look at it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Bees Posted January 8, 2001 Share Posted January 8, 2001 It depends on what size wheels and if the spring platforms are adjustable then how the ride height has been set. My car doesn't run particularly low but to get the trolley jack under I have to put a small piece of wood under one wheel - just an inch thick will do, put it on the ground in front of the wheel and push the car forward onto it (or put it on the ground behind the well and push the car backwards onto it...). Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acw Posted January 9, 2001 Share Posted January 9, 2001 I bought one have to use wood (15mm chipboard kitchen offcuts) also (Vx HPC on 16" rims). The only other thibg that is annoying is that the jack won't lift the car high enough to use the axle stands on their highest setting. Andrew C Winfer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slipper man Posted January 9, 2001 Share Posted January 9, 2001 AFter having for years struggled to get a trolley jack under my car, I have finally bought a racing type quick lift jack from Demon Tweeks. Brilliant!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Bees Posted January 9, 2001 Share Posted January 9, 2001 I got one of those for Christmas smile.gif Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonwelton Posted January 9, 2001 Share Posted January 9, 2001 I can't fit a trolley jack straight under my car (superlight on 13inch wheels) but as it's a Caterham all I do is lift it with one hand and that gives enough room to shove the jack under with a foot!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgracing Posted January 9, 2001 Share Posted January 9, 2001 Someone wrote: the jack won't lift the car high enough to use the axle stands on their highest setting It will if you put something (like a couple of bricks) under the jack and then lift. "But it won't fit under the car!" You cry. It will if you jack it up onto the axle stands at a low or mid setting first. Cheers, Davebo. C7 CAR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AndreK Posted January 9, 2001 Share Posted January 9, 2001 At the front, if the jack is too high to fit under the second front diagonally braced X member (as recommended), jack the car slightly using the first X member to take up the slack in the suspension, without lifting the engine weight, then pack it with some solid wood (NEVER CHIPBOARD BUT EG SOME LOAD BEARING 4" x 2" or FENCE POST OFFCUTS). Then re position and lift using the recommended second X member, a 2 stage lift in effect. At the rear suggest to jack under the axle either side of the diff. The axle stands can be used under the chassis at the side members just forward of the rear corner. Or alternatively under the axle casing, but the suspension will then be compressed, not ideal for some tasks. To save damaging the chassis tubes you could use a piece of wood (19mm ply?) or thickish alloy plate on the jack pad as a packer. I do not recommmend jacking under the towing eye as some have said (unstable eccentric load) For confidence, before commencing work, as well as the axle stands put some robust timbers as above under the axle case also and/or front chassis . Sorry to 'preach' but I have investigated some fatal and serious accidents that occured when persons worked under vehicles supported inadequately or just on the jack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Carmichael Posted January 10, 2001 Share Posted January 10, 2001 I made an impromptu quick lift jack that worked amazingly well at the rear using offcuts from the oak beams that had gone to make Jo's parents new timber-framed garage. Considering the quality of the wood, I guess this is not a budget option but it confirmed in my mind the sense of getting a quick lift jack. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number Six Posted January 10, 2001 Share Posted January 10, 2001 Not many jacks will fit under a 7, another top tip is to "spread" the load whenever you jack up... I speak from experience, those spaceframe tubes *DO* bend quite spectacularly... once you get the trolley jack "head" under, use some wood and carpet... bottom line, Mr. Jecks has it sussed teeth.gif (or dig a pit) Andy Rowland Woo Hoo, click on Song II (sic)... (natch) I am not a number, I am a free man! Listen to Lotus 7 KAR 120C by Booting Accelerator Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WILL FLY Posted January 12, 2001 Share Posted January 12, 2001 Mike, How high does the DT quick lift jack lift the car, in relation to the holes in the axle stands. What's the part no of the DT one ? Roy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STEVE GILBERT Posted January 12, 2001 Share Posted January 12, 2001 I use a Scissor Jack rather than my Trolly Jacks,dead quick and up to low Axle stand height no problem.90-350mm £7.99, Northern Tools 08001692266. They have compatible Axle stands too All.Knowing1@talk21.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fool on the hill Posted January 16, 2001 Author Share Posted January 16, 2001 thanks for all the info everybody. much appreciated James If it ain't broke, maybe it's time I had a look at it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now