DIY underneath car - jacking up and supporting safely MSE style?

anewman

Llooking at changing my oil soon and possibly searching for and treating any rust and underbody protecting the car. I would therefore like to be able to support the car safely so I can lay underneath it without having a tonne fall on top of me.

Would I get away with a set of 2 car ramps and 2 axle stands? I guess I would also need a trolley jack to get the axle stands underneath?

I have seen a trolley jack in Wikinsons for about £15. Any ideas where to get good quality car ramps and axle stands cheaply?

Dave_Brooker

anewman wrote: »

Llooking at changing my oil soon and possibly searching for and treating any rust and underbody protecting the car. I would therefore like to be able to support the car safely so I can lay underneath it without having a tonne fall on top of me.

Would I get away with a set of 2 car ramps and 2 axle stands? I guess I would also need a trolley jack to get the axle stands underneath?

I have seen a trolley jack in Wikinsons for about £15. Any ideas where to get good quality car ramps and axle stands cheaply?

Buy a decent trolly jack, the cheapo one are a waste of space.

Don't scrimp on the axle stands either since you'll be under what they are holding up...(and always use axle stands, never just a jack)

Try to get something along these lines:

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/ctj2000g-2-tonne-professional-trolley-ja/path/trolley-jacks-bottle-jacks-transmission-jacks

anewman

Is it safe to use axle stands at all 4 jacking points at the same time?

Crabman

I once considered doing an oil change myself (chickened out in the end ) but a mate suggested I place a couple of old tyres underneath the vehicle... just in case the stands collapse/fail, they'll be there as a back-up

Stephen_Leak

anewman wrote: »

Is it safe to use axle stands at all 4 jacking points at the same time?

Theoretically, yes.

However, for total safety (and operational flexibility), I would suggest using ramps at the engine end and then jacking onto axle stands at the non-engine end.

Ramps are useful if you just need to raise one end only, and aren't reliant on just one piece of metal to keep everything up.

If it was just for an oil change, I'd recommend National Tyres at £15, £20 or £25, depending on whether you need the automotive version of sunflower, olive or extra virgin olive oil!

northern_munky

I'd only use a jack and axle stands if you need to remove a wheel. Use a pair of wheel ramps for an oil change, they always feel very safe and secure and will you give you lots of confidence for sliding underneath the car. They are great for checking the car at MOT time too.

pianeet

make sure you get a decent set of wheel ramps,i had set buckle once while i was in the house getting a cup of tea,:eek:

Browntoa

I used to use strips of 4 x 2 supported both sides on blocks across the subframes, not sure if thats possible on modern cars ??

Stephen_Leak

With things like this, it might be an idea to regard "MSE principles" as getting the highest quality item for as little as possible, rather than just buying on price alone.

brazilianwax

Crabman wrote: »

I once considered doing an oil change myself (chickened out in the end ) but a mate suggested I place a couple of old tyres underneath the vehicle... just in case the stands collapse/fail, they'll be there as a back-up

I do that when I take the wheels off to wash them!

anewman

Stephen_Leak wrote: »

With things like this, it might be an idea to regard "MSE principles" as getting the highest quality item for as little as possible, rather than just buying on price alone.

Yep seems that way. If I can find some brands and model numbers of "good stuff" then I can search the net for the best prices.