Changing wheels

gaz_jones

Nice simple one for everyone today. I bought some new alloys a few days ago to fit on my car. What I wanted to check is if it will be fine just jacking the car up and changing them or if I need axle stands. I've changed tyres plenty of times and never used an axle stand before, but I mentioned I was just jacking it up to my mate at work and he was calling me an idiot for doing it like that.

My point was at the side of the road when you have a flat tyre, a jack is fine then, so why not if I'm changing all 4 wheels. I'm only doing them one at a time so surely an axle stand is overkill?

Sorry for the novice quesiton. I'm pretty sure I know the answer and an axle stand isn't neccesary, but thought I'd ask anyway in case I'm risking my car dropping or something.

motorguy

I would only consider an axle stand if i was planning to be under the car.

You wont be so i dont see why you'd bother?

Even if the car dropped, its not as if its going to drop onto you.

molerat

It is just like having 4 punctures, as long as you are on firm flat ground there is no problem just using the jack. Remember to copper grease the mating face of the alloy and the bolts so that they will come off if do you get a flat.

gaz_jones

Thought so. Cheers for the replies. I was fairly sure I wouldn't need them but you know what it's like when someone is so sure you are wrong, makes you question yourself.

Copper grease is already on my list. Had that problem before on the mini and ended up with great trouble getting the wheel off!

Hintza

Just run round and loosen all the nuts before you start jacking and then you should have this completed inside 15-20 minutes.

Does your mate work in health and safety?

If I am working on the car (I don't have axle stands) then I pop the wheel under the car just in case it comes down off the jack.

gaz_jones

Funnily enough he is our operations guy so yes he does deal with health and safety :rotfl:

Think I'll try the wheel under the car idea. It's not that I'm going to be under the car but guess it's just an added security measure for my suspension.



E2A: There's nothing I need to worry about after chaning all 4 wheels is there? Like taking corners easy for the first however many miles etc.... Once again, I'm sure there's not, but doesn't hurt to ask I guess.

da1seggy

pgilc1 wrote: »

I would only consider an axle stand if i was planning to be under the car.

You wont be so i dont see why you'd bother?

Even if the car dropped, its not as if its going to drop onto you.

I agree however, if the car does drop & you're alone, how are you going to pick it up to get it back on the jack?

I think if you're at home, use one to be on the safe/convenient side. If you get a flat on the road, that's just one of those things

gaz_jones

da1seggy wrote: »

I agree however, if the car does drop & you're alone, how are you going to pick it up to get it back on the jack?

Surely you could just lower the jack and jack it up again if that happened?

neilmcl

Remember its still on the the other 3 wheels so it won't drop that much to not be able to get the jack back under.

Edit: just beat me to it Gaz.

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Leave it in gear and chock at least one of the wheels. If its only on the parking brake, and only one rear wheel is on the ground, it isn't stable.

Cool_Username

da1seggy wrote: »

I agree however, if the car does drop & you're alone, how are you going to pick it up to get it back on the jack?

I think if you're at home, use one to be on the safe/convenient side. If you get a flat on the road, that's just one of those things

Whenever I'm changing a wheel I put the spare underneath so that at least the car will drop onto that and not the road.