Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Car Chat => Topic started by: gbh on 10 May 2015, 19:37:10

Title: Car Ramps
Post by: gbh on 10 May 2015, 19:37:10
Hi there,My Omega has developed an oil leak which means i'll need to look from underneath,a friend lent me some old steel ones but front bumper is too long so I think I need something with less gradient.James a member on here who changed my cam belt had a lovely set of plastic ones that I know worked well I've pm him but can anyone else recommend a set at a reasonable price?Many thanks Glenn 
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Andy B on 10 May 2015, 20:18:13
You'll find that the Omega is too low for most ramps. I made a couple of angle iron 'ladder' extentions that hook onto a standard pair of ramps, but I'm sure you I could make something from 2 short planks   ;)
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Webby the Bear on 10 May 2015, 20:21:04
RobG recommended ramps for me. They had extensions like Andy mentioned.

If working at home I much prefer stands though. just my preference
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: EMD on 10 May 2015, 20:40:32
Ramps and stands as you never know  ;) I drive up some bits of wood first then slot the ramps in after .
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: flyer 0712 on 10 May 2015, 21:53:35
Have you tried jacking it up to the height of the ramps.....personally I would use a jack with axle stands..... :y
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Nick W on 10 May 2015, 22:01:11
Ramps or a jack and axle stands?


They're not interchangeable; use either depending on the work that you're doing.
Eg: any job that requires the wheels off needs to be on axle stands. But if you can drive it on and off quickly, like a fluid change, sorting the gear selector or changing an exhaust, then ramps are appropriate.
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: lesv6 on 10 May 2015, 23:56:33
Ramps and stands as you never know  ;) I drive up some bits of wood first then slot the ramps in after .

Most modern cars have this problem with snagging on ramps. sensible solution, seen it used before.  don't see point of jacking car up to put on ramps when you can drivre it up
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Steve B on 11 May 2015, 01:07:56
should think you can run an omega up these.. although the height wont be like that of a set of steel ones

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEAVY-DUTY-4-TON-PLASTIC-PRO-WORKSHOP-GARAGE-LOW-WIDE-SPORT-CAR-RACE-RAMP-PAIR-/290980295085?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43bfc6f1ad
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: minifreek on 11 May 2015, 07:08:44
Iv got these...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cougar-Low-Entry-Metal-Car-Van-Ramps-Extensions-2-5-Tonne-25000KG-Capacity-/301622488964?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item463a19ef84

Work on lowered cars too, very well....
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: EMD on 11 May 2015, 15:20:03
Omega tyres do overlap my ramps a little bit so will be looking for a wider and low entry ramps soon . Think the ramps i have were made pre war  :(
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: 4x4 on 11 May 2015, 17:22:09
Haha at least i dont have that issue as i have more than enough clearance to drive up any ramp  ;D
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Webby the Bear on 12 May 2015, 00:02:43
i'll level with you all.... when I started tinkering on cars before ''going pro'' (ive still got approx. 95% to learn in my opinion) I purchased ramps cos I thought they'd be safer and easier.

in reality it was scarier to drive on the ramps (and try not to overshoot them) than it was to jack up and put on stands.

imo. get a decent jack and a decent set of stands. you wont need to ever mess about again. 
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Webby the Bear on 12 May 2015, 00:04:06
ps, yes you can jack up high enough to get on ramps......but its easier to put stands on the chassis rail. then you got the wheels free if needed
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: gbh on 12 May 2015, 09:39:19
Thanks for the info,i'll admit I am a complete amateur on cars but I do have a few tools although never used ie Trolley jack and some borrowed axle stands with a V slot.I was going to tackle the rear brake disc/pad change but was unsure on jacking and placement of stands any help would be helpful to say the least.Firstly i used the normal car jack provided and noticed behind on the underside is a triangular plate with a bolt head showing can i use this for trolley jack or axle stands?Thanks Glenn
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 12 May 2015, 09:42:08
Hi Glenn, sorry I didn't reply sooner

My ramps are similar to these:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HEAVY-DUTY-4-TON-PLASTIC-PRO-WORKSHOP-GARAGE-LOW-WIDE-SPORT-CAR-RACE-RAMP-PAIR-/290980295085?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item43bfc6f1ad
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: gbh on 12 May 2015, 11:01:16
Hi James,I thought they looked very similar so I just ordered a pair this morning and for anyone interested I got them for £47.99 using Amazon and a site called Flubit.James you maybe able to help with one of my questions on this thread about jacking car using trolley jack or normal car jack and placing of axle V shape stands.Thanks Glenn
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: tigers_gonads on 12 May 2015, 11:06:57
Acquired a scaffolding plank from somewhere  :-X :-X
Chopped it into 4
Screwed 2 pieces together with 3" x 10 screws with a slight overlap and cut a notch at one end so they lock onto the top rung of my orange Halfords special ramps.
Works a treat with no creaking or flexing  :y

Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: deviator on 12 May 2015, 15:48:44
I prefer jack and stands to be honest. 3ton jack and 2/3/6ton stands depending on the height I need.

**Top Tip**
If you must use ramps, get some carpet offcuts. Feed through the first rung on the ramp and fold it back on it's self to make two layers. Repeat both sides. This means as you approach with your car, the weight of the car stops the stands from sliding at the first incline.
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Andy B on 12 May 2015, 16:57:55
.....

**Top Tip**
If you must use ramps, get some carpet offcuts. Feed through the first rung on the ramp and fold it back on it's self to make two layers. Repeat both sides. This means as you approach with your car, the weight of the car stops the stands from sliding at the first incline.

But ...... that doesn't stop the under side of your wing/bumper from hitting the top the ramp way before wheel starts to climb it.
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: chrisgixer on 13 May 2015, 00:11:36
Ramps and stands as you never know  ;) I drive up some bits of wood first then slot the ramps in after .

Most modern cars have this problem with snagging on ramps. sensible solution, seen it used before.  don't see point of jacking car up to put on ramps when you can drivre it up

There is every point. Have you actually tried your solution? Or just seen it on used with an omega?

Lowered sports chassis. Irmscher body kit. And ramps? No chance, your bits of wood need to be 6ft long.

The "point" of getting the car on ramps, even when it won't drive up, is stability. Obviously. In conjunction with extra height. Torque wishbone bolts and fitting poly bushes, ramps are a must. But there's no room to drive the car up.

So, place the ramps under once the car is jacked. For the hard of understanding :y
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: lesv6 on 13 May 2015, 00:17:36
use it on my ramps and omega clears and runs up ok without snagging, so have actually tried and tested it. bits of wood about 18" long.  mines standard omega elite, not talking lowered sports chassis, or body kits.

also works with my gt which is even lower than omega
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: chrisgixer on 13 May 2015, 00:21:09
use it on my ramps and omega clears and runs up ok without snagging, so have actually tried and tested it. bits of wood about 18" long.  mines standard omega elite, not talking lowered sports chassis, or body kits.

also works with my gt which is even lower than omega

Your omega! Not everyone else's, which is why you don't see the point. A perfectly valid point. Weather you accept it or not.
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: lesv6 on 13 May 2015, 00:28:57
use it on my ramps and omega clears and runs up ok without snagging, so have actually tried and tested it. bits of wood about 18" long.  mines standard omega elite, not talking lowered sports chassis, or body kits.

also works with my gt which is even lower than omega

Your omega! Not everyone else's, which is why you don't see the point. A perfectly valid point. Weather you accept it or not.

sure theres more standard omegas on this forum than lowered sports chassis, or body kit jobs.  why are you so aggressive and argumentative with people who don't agree with you.  i'm a newbie on here, and looking back over oldish posts, i see this attitude from you a lot.  do you have a mental issure?
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Doctor Smeagol on 13 May 2015, 00:30:24
Haven't seen Dbug for a while.  ;D
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: X30XE on 13 May 2015, 00:31:55
Bunch of cowboys  :D

8x4 sheet of 25mm ply... et voila...  ;)

(http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt133/011011011/ramp1_zpsjuxfs418.jpg)

(http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt133/011011011/ramp2_zpsyeioydak.jpg)

(http://i605.photobucket.com/albums/tt133/011011011/ramp3_zpsyj7aiile.jpg) ;)
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Doctor Smeagol on 13 May 2015, 00:33:52
Not high enough. Won't be able to swing a torque wrench under there too easily.
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Steve B on 13 May 2015, 00:40:24
Haven't seen Dbug for a while.  ;D
wonder why  ::)
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: chrisgixer on 13 May 2015, 00:44:08
Haven't seen Dbug for a while.  ;D
wonder why  ::)

Couldn't get the last word probably. ::)

Although, seeing as somebody has mentioned it. Young Les and Dbug do seem to have a striking resemblance. Ther can't be two that alike surely...?
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: X30XE on 13 May 2015, 00:44:32
Not high enough. Won't be able to swing a torque wrench under there too easily.

5mm higher than the plastic ones  ::)
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: chrisgixer on 13 May 2015, 00:46:18
Not high enough. Won't be able to swing a torque wrench under there too easily.

5mm higher than the plastic ones  ::)
How high are the metal ones?

Might be proportionally deceptive in the pics though. :y
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: X30XE on 13 May 2015, 00:53:08
Not high enough. Won't be able to swing a torque wrench under there too easily.

5mm higher than the plastic ones  ::)
How high are the metal ones?

Might be proportionally deceptive in the pics though. :y

200mm. IF you can get your car onto them mind.  Personally I think the metal ones are an accident waiting to happen. Hence I made my own.

That's why the dims are provided  ;)
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Vamps on 13 May 2015, 00:55:20
Ramps and stands as you never know  ;) I drive up some bits of wood first then slot the ramps in after .

Most modern cars have this problem with snagging on ramps. sensible solution, seen it used before.  don't see point of jacking car up to put on ramps when you can drivre it up

There is every point. Have you actually tried your solution? Or just seen it on used with an omega?

Lowered sports chassis. Irmscher body kit. And ramps? No chance, your bits of wood need to be 6ft long.

The "point" of getting the car on ramps, even when it won't drive up, is stability. Obviously. In conjunction with extra height. Torque wishbone bolts and fitting poly bushes, ramps are a must. But there's no room to drive the car up.

So, place the ramps under once the car is jacked. For the hard of understanding :y

Quite agree, I like ramps rather than axle stands, as long as I don't want the wheels off. Never really got away with using them, as said they tend to slide, so I jack up and then put the ramps underneath.............. :y :y



Reminds me, must get my high lift jack back of my brother....... :D :D
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: chrisgixer on 13 May 2015, 00:57:28
Not high enough. Won't be able to swing a torque wrench under there too easily.

5mm higher than the plastic ones  ::)


How high are the metal ones?

Might be proportionally deceptive in the pics though. :y

200mm. IF you can get your car onto them mind.  Personally I think the metal ones are an accident waiting to happen. Hence I made my own.

That's why the dims are provided  ;)

Good point ;D

I'd need that missing 50mm as well though. Tbh.
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: X30XE on 13 May 2015, 01:05:34
That is the beauty of making your own.  You can make them any size ya likes.
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Steve B on 13 May 2015, 01:12:21
Hang on... Im under a omega And now im making my own pattern parts to lift the car off the floor to save a few quid

No way would colin mcrae go along with that  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

WE are all going to die one day....But no way am i going out with my family Knowing i was crushed by a weetabix  ;D
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: EMD on 13 May 2015, 09:41:10
Hang on... Im under a omega And now im making my own pattern parts to lift the car off the floor to save a few quid

No way would colin mcrae go along with that  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

WE are all going to die one day....But no way am i going out with my family Knowing i was crushed by a weetabix  ;D

These look like a well tried and tested pattern alternative  ::)

A ramp (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Old-Wooden-Car-Ramps-/161699308361?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item25a607a349)
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: driver115 on 13 May 2015, 19:39:05
Made some wood cribbing blocks a couple of years ago which I use in addition to axle stands , added safety feature which works for me

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/wiki/wood-cribbing-block-diy-for-raising-the-car-in-addition-to-jack-stands/
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: gbh on 15 May 2015, 13:56:00
I can confirm the 4 tonne low clearance ramps as suggested by James worked a treat and seem quite strong but light.Now to solve my oil leak problem!!!! Thanks to all
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: gbh on 17 May 2015, 19:16:12
ps, yes you can jack up high enough to get on ramps......but its easier to put stands on the chassis rail. then you got the wheels free if needed
Chassis rail??
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: chrisgixer on 17 May 2015, 20:02:54
Mmmmmm!

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/car-2-post-vehicle-car-van-ramp-lift-4-tons-ce-sert-4000kg-2-poster/201344275659?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20140122125356%26meid%3D88262387f603435fb300c1df694b27d2%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D290980295085&rt=nc
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: 05omegav6 on 18 May 2015, 02:15:58
Would putting that on the drive require planning permission :-\
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Sir Tigger KC on 18 May 2015, 16:55:11
Would putting that on the drive require planning permission :-\

No, but the neighbours would love you!  ::)  ;D
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Webby the Bear on 18 May 2015, 18:21:24
ps, yes you can jack up high enough to get on ramps......but its easier to put stands on the chassis rail. then you got the wheels free if needed
Chassis rail??

Yes, jack it up on the sills (or I prefer that donut shaped part of the chassis in board of the rails) and support it with stands on the chassis rail.  :y
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: gbh on 18 May 2015, 22:39:58
Thanks for that info,my borrowed axle stands are an older type with a V shape any good to use or buy a newer set with a wider U shape?
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: gbh on 26 May 2015, 13:29:23
What strength of axle stand or load bearing if I buy a new pair?
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Andy B on 26 May 2015, 14:55:34
What strength of axle stand or load bearing if I buy a new pair?

I used these https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cax-3tbc-3-ton-axle-stands Your Omega 'only' weighs 1750-ish kg so these will be plenty good enough. Besides, the 6 tonne pair will be too tall for most tasks.
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Webby the Bear on 26 May 2015, 20:19:08
What Andy said.

I have the 6 ton and the 3 tin. 6 ton completely unnecessary and too tall.

Go for 3 ton
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Andy B on 27 May 2015, 00:10:20
......
I have the 6 ton and the 3 tin. 6 ton completely unnecessary and too tall.

 ......

That's how I know too  ::)
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 27 May 2015, 09:57:06
What strength of axle stand or load bearing if I buy a new pair?

I used these https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cax-3tbc-3-ton-axle-stands Your Omega 'only' weighs 1750-ish kg so these will be plenty good enough. Besides, the 6 tonne pair will be too tall for most tasks.

I'm sure it's just me, and they're fine, but this design scares the crap out of me, I wouldn't get under a car on those....

The chassis rails just don't seem to sit well enough In those cups....
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Andy B on 27 May 2015, 11:06:43
..., but this design scares the crap out of me,  ....

as opposed to which other?  :-\
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 27 May 2015, 11:07:44
..., but this design scares the crap out of me,  ....

as opposed to which other?  :-\

I am off to bed shortly (nights) but I'll post some picks up in the v near future :y :y
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 27 May 2015, 11:08:26
in short, though, I just don't feel the cup that the chassis rail sits in, is big enough
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Andy B on 27 May 2015, 11:19:08
in short, though, I just don't feel the cup that the chassis rail sits in, is big enough

fair enough  ;) ..... good night!  ::)
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 27 May 2015, 11:20:14
in short, though, I just don't feel the cup that the chassis rail sits in, is big enough

fair enough  ;) ..... good night!  ::)

I detest nights. The sun is shining and I want to be up. And in the evening sun, I want to drink beer, not be going to work!!!! :D
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Andy B on 27 May 2015, 11:22:24
...

I detest nights. The sun is shining and I want to be up. And in the evening sun, I want to drink beer, not be going to work!!!! :D

that's the trouble during the summer. You think I'll just do ..... and before  you know it it's the middle of the afternoon & you realise you're back in work in 7 or 8 hrs & you've not gone to bed yet! I've done my lifetime's worth of nights now  ;)
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Nick W on 27 May 2015, 11:44:46
What strength of axle stand or load bearing if I buy a new pair?

I used these https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cax-3tbc-3-ton-axle-stands Your Omega 'only' weighs 1750-ish kg so these will be plenty good enough. Besides, the 6 tonne pair will be too tall for most tasks.

I'm sure it's just me, and they're fine, but this design scares the crap out of me, I wouldn't get under a car on those....

The chassis rails just don't seem to sit well enough In those cups....

They're much better than the weedy welded tube ones with a through pin. And they have proper feet. The notch is just right for the chassis rail to fit securely too.

In short, at £22 they are a good buy.
Title: Re: Car Ramps
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 27 May 2015, 12:33:41
I have had a set for circa 15 years at a guess, never had a problem and yes, as James says, they only just fit the Omega chassis rails but not been an issue and very secure.