Axle stands / trolley jack

[Flyer]

Spent Sunday with the wheels off giving them a good clean and painting the brake calipers (well, only got two done ). I realised I should really be using axle stands and not the emergency jack, especially as I needed to rotate the rear wheels.

So, where from? I'm not a mechanic and this will be for occasional use, so don't need the best (or even second-best). Halfords do a pair of axle stands for £10 and a trolley jack for £22. Now, some Halfords gear is pretty good; their tool range particularly, but how does this equipment rate?

If not Halfords, where else should I look?

BTW: anyone ever painted the brake disc... the part where the wheel mounts to, extending to the actual face of the disc (the mounting bell??)? Mine are all rusty which, despite a vigorous application of a wire brush, hasn't improved their appearance much. Does VHT paint need to be applied here or is something like Hammerite Smooth suitable?

 

[BTB 500]

I've had 4 axles stands from Halfords and a trolley jack from Argos for a number of years, and for my purposes they are absolutely fine. You should never do any work on the car with it supported solely by a jack (of any kind). Stands are cheap enough and easy to store even if you only use them once in a while (like me).

 

[nick mercedes]

Spent Sunday with the wheels off giving them a good clean and painting the brake calipers (well, only got two done ). I realised I should really be using axle stands and not the emergency jack, especially as I needed to rotate the rear wheels.

So, where from? I'm not a mechanic and this will be for occasional use, so don't need the best (or even second-best). Halfords do a pair of axle stands for £10 and a trolley jack for £22. Now, some Halfords gear is pretty good; their tool range particularly, but how does this equipment rate?

If not Halfords, where else should I look?

http://www.northerntooluk.com/products.asp?partno=145004E

Get a decent jack, the small ones are prone to tipping over, but that said are ok for keeping in the boot for roadside tyre changes.

 

[Satch]

here you go:

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/producttests/62030/trolley_jacks.html

That said I got a three ton one from here

http://www.difflock.com/cgi-bin/wm1..._flag=y&setup_value=1&cleanup=n&item_id=DF375

mainly for purposes of lifting Land Cruiser. It is not something you want to keep in the boot!

 

[Shude]

I've got some of the those halfords axle-stands, I've never had reason to use them yet (and I now live on a steep hill so I probably won't get chance to use them for a while now!) but they still state that they are not suitable for long periods!

 

[Brian WH]

For temporary removal of wheels, for cleaning etc, the use of solid blocks of wood under the axle spring supports or under the front wishbone are OK. For long "maintenance and if you are going "underneath" the car then Axle Stands are a MUST.

 

[Flyer]

Thanks chaps.

Agree about not working underneath without stands, that's why I want some

Bill, good to hear you're happy with them. Shude, how do they define "long time"?? Is that hours, days, weeks??

Nick, that Northen Tools one is a bit expensive (for my use). Would never keep one in the boot anyway, it's just for occasional use.

Satch, thanks for that. The Halfords one gets quite a good write-up.

Looks like a trip there is in order.

Nobody painted, or considered painting, the mounting bell then?

 

[Ian B Walker]

Andrew, knowing your drive I would shy away from any stands that do not have feet to them. I have both a set of halford ones and an other which I purchased from CPC years ago. They have a continous base so wont sink into your tarmac.

 

[lotusmark2]

YOU have a set of Halfords ones

 

[BTB 500]

how do they define "long time"?? Is that hours, days, weeks??

I left my old caravan (approx 1100 kg) on them over the winter, no problem ...

 

[Ian B Walker]

YOU have a set of Halfords ones

Sorry I should have said that Mark has a set of Halford Stands. Currently holding up a very rusty W210

 

[lotusmark2]

Sorry I should have said that Mark has a set of Halford Stands. Currently holding up a very rusty W210

 

[HughJarse]

Got mine from screwfix.co.uk

Fine and dandy

 

[reflexboy]

I have owned a Halfords 2 ton trolley jack for 2 yrs with no problems. Also recently purchased axle stands from Halfrauds too. They seem ok, and up to the job without being overpriced.

 

[Flyer]

Andrew, knowing your drive I would shy away from any stands that do not have feet to them. I have both a set of halford ones and an other which I purchased from CPC years ago. They have a continous base so wont sink into your tarmac.

And the tarmac is soft so good observation (now put a sheet of thick plywood down).

rb, another halfords recommendation, so off to halfords this weekend it is. Cheers

 

[Dieselman]

As far as stands goes enough has been said, either ratchet ones or ones with a pin will do and feet are a good idea for standing on tarmac, alternatively use a piece of steel or a board.
For trolley jacks forget anything where the handle has to be removed and used as the pressure release to lower the jack. Two reasons, one is that the handles are always too short and two if you lower the jack partially then need to jack back up again the socket for the handle will have risn so you can't get the handle back in.

Look for a jack that will exceed the load you want to lift, has a low pad height and a long arm to give a high pad height on extension. You need the low pad to get under the diff if you have sports suspension.
Always use either a rubber or wood jack pad so as not to damage the vehicle.

Costco do a lovely 3 tonnne jack but it might be a bit big, sometimes they have a 2 tonne one as well which would be suitable.

Compare these two to see what I mean about pad heights and lift.
http://www.paintain.co.uk/Automo/garg_eqp/gleqp33.htm

http://www.paintain.co.uk/Automo/garg_eqp/gleqp28.htm

 

[Ian B Walker]

Costco do a lovely 3 tonnne jack but it might be a bit big, sometimes they have a 2 tonne one as well which would be suitable.

I bought my 3 ton jack off eBay and asked the seller where he got it. It came from Costco. Its very low, has good wheels, has a large footprint, is easy to use, has a large jack pad and was good value for money at £85.

 

[grasmere]

after reading autoexpress tests I got the Halfords 2 ton trolley jack in case for about £25

works excellent, and its a low level jack too.

 

[Dieselman]

I bought my 3 ton jack off eBay and asked the seller where he got it. It came from Costco. Its very low, has good wheels, has a large footprint, is easy to use, has a large jack pad and was good value for money at £85.

Ian
May I suggest you become a member as they do lots of car related products and are cheap.. Chevron and Mobil oil cheaper than from the factors and in 25 litre cans.

 

[GazCaff]

Ian
May I suggest you become a member as they do lots of car related products and are cheap.. Chevron and Mobil oil cheaper than from the factors and in 25 litre cans.

Chevron oil should be cheap too! I used some of that recycled rubbish once.