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[SMD]

Few years ago when I was a little younger and a little dumber I went and bought these thinking they would be ok for working under Omegas, well, I initially bought these to change pads and recently started thinking about doing oil/filter changes and fighting with exhaust bolts! I actually asked the opinions of 'enthusiast mechanics' on another forum and they said its fine!

So recently I learn that these death traps have been known to collapse, one on this forum and when searching on google I found this:




So needless to say what I will be doing with them. Should I also bin the jack?

What shall I replace this lovely bit of kit with? As cheap as possible without killing me please. Something like this from machinemart ok?

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/cax-3tbc-3-ton-axle-stands

[Varche]

I bought a trolley jack like that in the early 70's. I think it cost me £22. A fortune then. It has served me well since but whilst it lifts the car I think the seals have gone as it won't stay up. The key thing is they aren't(in my opinion) for supporting your car. I always like two supports e.g. blocks under the suspension on the corner you are working on plus a wheel under the cill chocked with suitable piece of wood. I used to have some axle stands but never thought they were safe( you have to have solid ground not tarmac or dirt) so gave them away. 

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

Get some ratcheting ones, they're far more useful than the old peg-and-hole type.

[Webby the Bear]

I am paranoid about safety. RobG kindly advised me what ramps to get.... £36 iirc but are awesome and wide enough for the mig... comes with extensions too. i dont have the link no more but i will try and find later for you if youre interested.

now even though this would be enough i put spare wheels either side under the cills and i place my axel stands roughly in position so if the ramps collapse (which they certainly sghouldnt do) i have a couple of chances of coming out not looking like a waffle.

cant be too safe imo

[Kevin Wood]

Yep, I've heard from several sources that those riveted axle stands are a liability.

Jack should be OK though. You won't be relying on it as the only support after all.

[The Red Baron]

Yep, I've heard from several sources that those riveted axle stands are a liability.

Jack should be OK though. You won't be relying on it as the only support after all.

i would never trust that type tbh. all welded ones for me.

[SMD]

Just to make it clear the pic I linked above, the guy was working under the car when the stand collapsed and said he though it was just at a funny angle and carried on working! 

I'll keep the jack for the time being. Are the Clarke ratchet stands I linked in the first post ok?

[JamesV6CDX]

Jack is just for lifting, so as long as it's supported on good stands it should be ok. Certainly good to keep for emergencies. Ref stands, I don't like the ratcheted ones at all. I find the clarke ones don't hold the chassis rails well.

[mantahatch]

I love it when things with a TUV sticker on it go wrong. They are so stuck up their own backsides it serves them right. 

[makaylaligar]

Yeah me, too!

[SMD]

Jack is just for lifting, so as long as it's supported on good stands it should be ok. Certainly good to keep for emergencies. Ref stands, I don't like the ratcheted ones at all. I find the clarke ones don't hold the chassis rails well.

I see what you mean. What would you (or anyone else) suggest then?

[JamesV6CDX]

Machine mart, around 28 notes - sturdy, and look at how nicely the chassis rails will fit in them



http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/as10-axle-stands?da=1&TC=SRC-axle stands

In comparison, look how crap the chassis rail support cups are, in the ratchet type below:

[SMD]

Cheers. The chassis rail support bothered me too

[tunnie]

Yeah, I've got those blue ones, far, far better on the chassis rail, those red ones dig in and make a right mess!

[aaronjb]

Those blue ones look exactly like the ones I inherited from my Dad .. well, mine had a lot more rust on them Worked like a charm on everything I used them on.