jacking a car up...

[Taff]

...at both ends? Any suggestions on how to do this safely using a 2tonne jack on a flat, level tarmac?

 

I have to bleed the brakes on the X, and I want to get it up in the air & onto axle stands with all four wheels off.

 

Cheers, T

[Bobthebeard]

Jack up front, place axle stands strategically. Shuffle round to the rear and repeat. Shove as many tyres/wheels as possible under the car just in case... I have a fear of working under cars, hence belt and braces.

[beko1987]

I jacked both sides of the front of the zx up to do the exhaust. Was very creaky, and I stayed out the way enough to ensure that if it slipped I wasnt under it and it was ok.

 

Although, got one side on the stands, but the car must have moved when doing the other side as the stand was at a funny angle. Had to raise it one more click to re-centralise the stands.

 

I then did my usual of rocking the shit out of it before getting under it just in case

[Stanky]

Just get a few mates round and roll the car onto its roof. Then you can work on the underside in perfect* safety*.

[Partridge]

Are you using a bottle jack? Test it by putting your foot on it when extended and apply your full weight to test it first. My Dad passed that one on to me

[Bren]

Taff be mindful of how far apart the axle stands will be in terms of width and how big their footprint is.

 

My SD1 had axle stands under the rear, as I raised the front one stand twisted and the whole lot moved - Usain Bolt would have been jealous at the speed I moved out of the way.

 

Suffice to say I had to start all over again. I was nearly wearing an SD1 shaped hat.

[stripped fred]

I use some large wooden blocks about 12" x 8" x 4" stacked on top of each other as they won't slip or move which axle stands could. Definitely use something as a secondary measure incase the axle stands tip.

[Asimo]

If you are using a trolley jack it must be able to roll freely or it will pull against the first pair of axle stands.

 

And don't put axle stands under suspension parts unless you have a solid axle like a Defender or Transit. (Because when the weight is applied to independant suspension there will be some sideways and/ or longitudinal force placed on the axle stand )

 

Once removed, Place the wheels flat under the car, under subframe ideally. Then when it does fall off the stands you will be able to get the jack back under it.

[John F]

If it isn't a daft question, why do you need to get the entire car off the ground to bleed the brakes?

 

It sounds like an accident waiting to happen tbh.

[MrDuke]

I assume because it's a hydro Citroen, which does need a totally un-pressurised fluid system for bleeding (i.e. no weight on the wheels)

[NorfolkNWeigh]

Very dissapointed , was expecting something quite different.

[John F]

I assume because it's a hydro Citroen, which does need a totally un-pressurised fluid system for bleeding (i.e. no weight on the wheels)

 

It's an X1/9, isn't it?

[UltraWomble]

[MrDuke]

It's an X1/9, isn't it?

 

Oops. I r be r3t4rd (again).

 

 

 

I'M STILL RIGHT ABOUT CITROENS THOUGH, YEAH?!!

[Taff]

Just get a few mates round and roll the car onto its roof. Then you can work on the underside in perfect* safety*.

 

it hasn't got a roof, mate

 

Taff be mindful of how far apart the axle stands will be in terms of width and how big their footprint is.

 

My SD1 had axle stands under the rear, as I raised the front one stand twisted and the whole lot moved - Usain Bolt would have been jealous at the speed I moved out of the way.

 

Suffice to say I had to start all over again. I was nearly wearing an SD1 shaped hat.

 

much as I love the car, it will make a poor choice of headgear

 

If it isn't a daft question, why do you need to get the entire car off the ground to bleed the brakes?

 

It sounds like an accident waiting to happen tbh.

 

agreed but due to the offset of the alloys, the wheels need to be off to get at the bleed nipples. Last time I did this (the Galaxie), I left the rear wheels on, had them on ramps, and just had the fronts off. I even looked at reversing the alloys on the rear so I could use my ramps but it won't work like that.

 

It doesn't need to be too high, just high enough to get the wheels off.

 

Thanks all. I have done it before (not on the X though) but it was a while ago. fresh eyes and perspective always help.

[New POD]

How I did it ONCE, and never again.

 

1) Drive Front of car, up ramps.

2) Get 2 Trolley Jacks (and some old decking) and Lift Wheels OFF Ramps.

3) Remove wheels, and Lower car, to sit on ramps.

4) Take trolley jacks to back and lift, onto Axle Stands.

5) Remove rear wheels.

6) Place wheels under the car.

7) Avoid Going Under Car.

Bleed brakes.

 

Took me an hour to get it into this position and an hour to get it down.

[Stanky]

Ah right I've got it now! Drive the front off something like a railway platform or loading bay, then the front wheels will be hanging in fresh air. Bleed front brakes.

 

Next, get fat friend to sit on the bonnet, VERY VERY still. when the correct amount of obesity has been deployed, the front will rock over the edge enough to get the rear wheels off, and then wedge one under the car and recover the fat friend.

 

When complete, redeploy the fat friend, re-fit rear wheels, then, reverse back off as driven wheels will still be on terra firma.

 

Job's a good 'un

 

(I am fat and can be hired to sit on car bonnets for an hourly rate in cash, beer, bacon sandwiches or pies)

[Taff]

How I did it ONCE, and never again.

 

1) Drive Front of car, up ramps.

2) Get 2 Trolley Jacks (and some old decking) and Lift Wheels OFF Ramps.

3) Remove wheels, and Lower car, to sit on ramps.

4) Take trolley jacks to back and lift, onto Axle Stands.

5) Remove rear wheels.

6) Place wheels under the car.

7) Avoid Going Under Car.

Bleed brakes.

 

Took me an hour to get it into this position and an hour to get it down.

 

That sounds like a plan, nice one.

 

Ah right I've got it now! Drive the front off something like a railway platform or loading bay, then the front wheels will be hanging in fresh air. Bleed front brakes.

 

Next, get fat friend to sit on the bonnet, VERY VERY still. when the correct amount of obesity has been deployed, the front will rock over the edge enough to get the rear wheels off, and then wedge one under the car and recover the fat friend.

 

When complete, redeploy the fat friend, re-fit rear wheels, then, reverse back off as driven wheels will still be on terra firma.

 

Job's a good 'un

 

(I am fat and can be hired to sit on car bonnets for an hourly rate in cash, beer, bacon sandwiches or pies)

 

we have the best bacon butty van in Wiltshire within waddling distance...

[Guest Breadvan72]

Is think this.  Many disappoint, so mistake, much confuse.  Wow.

 

 

[sierraman]

I'll no doubt get pilloried for this, but you can't beat a pair of sleepers for support. Providing you haven't got the brake pipes or whatever resting on them. But that's just common sense.

[brickwall]

Get a Range Rover classic and just crawl underneath - no raising needed

[Bone]

[alf892]

Do this all the time.........don't know what you all fucking about at!

 

Jack one end and place stands under body/chassis. Not on suspension unless beam axles.

 

Jack other end watching to ensure jack moves under load rather than dragging stands.

 

Tap the stand legs to make sure they are on the ground.

 

I use another (large) stand and jack not quite in contact to provide emergency exit.....

[vulgalour]

Is it really so difficult and dangerous?  I've jacked cars up and put them on four stands for years, outside, in wonky garages and whatever and I've not died once from it.  Just make sure when you're done the car can't wobble about and don't do anything too heavy duty underneath that might knock the car off its stands.  Bleeding brakes should be incredibly low risk even with the car up on stands.

[Bobthebeard]

"Is it really so difficult and dangerous? "

Yes. It can be... Just because you haven't yet died is testament to your skills and luck Vulg. Others have died. One mans wonkiness is another mans firm.

Be careful boys and girls!

[Junkman]

And don't always think about your own lives. Think about all the nuns and kittens that could get killed.

[sierraman]

It's common sense a lot of it though isn't it. If in doubt don't do it. Personally I've never felt entirely safe unless I'm working on a two post lift. Even then if you haven't supported the car properly you will maim/kill you self/others.

[Taff]

Is it really so difficult and dangerous?  I've jacked cars up and put them on four stands for years, outside, in wonky garages and whatever and I've not died once from it.  Just make sure when you're done the car can't wobble about and don't do anything too heavy duty underneath that might knock the car off its stands.  Bleeding brakes should be incredibly low risk even with the car up on stands.

 

probably not. My main concern was at which end to start, any suggestions?

[Junkman]

Since when does a car have to be completely off the ground for bleeding the brakes?

[Taff]

how would you do it?