How to jack up car

Post by **pete** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:52 pm

OK I know the answer to this is going to make me cringe and feel like a fool but here goes...

Just picke the car up from an A service a Greer Sport. Seem like a nice bunch and some very tasty 4WD stuff there but... they couldn't jack up the Elise to change the oil.

No four post lift, they will do it later using a local MOT stations lift. The problem was they could lift it but couldn't take the undertray off with it up on a 2 pillar lift.

But don't a lot of you folk do it yourselves (oil change I mean). How, if they can't? Surely you don't all have 4 post lifts?

Pete

(Seriously thinking that allowing for the time to go and get it I would be quicker doing these things myself. I'd just have to learn. I used to change the oil on my Ascona, this surely can't be much different.)

mac · Post by **mac** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 8:54 pm

There's no need to have the car of the ground to remove the undertray. If a lardarse like me can reach under and unscrew the bolts then anyone can.

Mac

Rich H · Post by **Rich H** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 9:11 pm

also I don't think you can pick the car up in such a way to stop you taking the undertray off! It's all in the owners manual....

But as Mac says there is plenty of room under for access. If they really need to then they can jack up one side, access the plug, lower it to drain then jack it back up to refit the plug.

tenkfeet · Post by **tenkfeet** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 9:19 pm

I dont have a small jack so drive it up on a couple of bits of wood first . Then jack using the side jack.

Pete learn to do it yourself you have a garage dont you . I am no expert but give me a shout and can give you a hand . Though I will admit I am a bit pedantic .

Post by **pete** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 9:38 pm

tenkfeet wrote:I dont have a small jack so drive it up on a couple of bits of wood first . Then jack using the side jack.

Pete learn to do it yourself you have a garage dont you . I am no expert but give me a shout and can give you a hand . Though I will admit I am a bit pedantic .

You are on. Next time.

I will, by that time have a much better garage. (just got planning permission).

Pete

(I promise in return to provide a limitless supply of tea and mildly irratating banter. And if you need a hand before then just shout, my skills of tea-making and spanner-passing even work outside. Seriously if you ever need a hand just ask.)

Post by **pete** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 9:46 pm

So let me get this straight they could just have jacked up the car (or not), reached underneath and removed the tray?

Pete

jj · Post by jj » Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:00 pm

I managed to remove the standard exhaust on mine and fit an exige exhaust without jacking the car up, so if I can do it it must be possible!

tenkfeet · Post by **tenkfeet** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:03 pm

If you get really stuck and you have oil you can drop your car at mine on your way to work and I will do it . I have a filter here for mine.

Stewart · Post by **Stewart** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:32 pm

Ramps? I bought mine in Halfords. I think they were about £20. I store them in the rafters of my garage when not in use. The way the sump plug is located is such that all the oil drains to the front/side (lowest part) of the sump. Filter is quite accessable too. Probably easier than an Ascona.

Just don't do what I did and over fill with oil. The service manual is over optomistic. I did no harm as I dipped it as soon as it was of the ramps but did have fun trying to drain half a litre and not loose the rest

thinfourth · Post by **thinfourth** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 10:48 pm

pete wrote:
tenkfeet wrote:I dont have a small jack so drive it up on a couple of bits of wood first . Then jack using the side jack.

Pete learn to do it yourself you have a garage dont you . I am no expert but give me a shout and can give you a hand . Though I will admit I am a bit pedantic .
You are on. Next time.

I will, by that time have a much better garage. (just got planning permission).

Pete

(I promise in return to provide a limitless supply of tea and mildly irratating banter. And if you need a hand before then just shout, my skills of tea-making and spanner-passing even work outside. Seriously if you ever need a hand just ask.)

i think demand for a spanners and sponges is increasing

Obi?

Post by **pete** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 11:06 pm

They are going to do it this weekend but I really appreciate the offer Alan thanks.

Pete

(Re spanner and sponges, I agree. Just wait until my double garage is finished. I'm gonna buy so many tools... (then continue giving my money to garages because I falsely believe it to be easier and quicker when it just isn't.)

tenkfeet · Post by **tenkfeet** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 11:36 pm

pete wrote:They are going to do it this weekend but I really appreciate the offer Alan thanks.

Pete

(Re spanner and sponges, I agree. Just wait until my double garage is finished. I'm gonna buy so many tools... (then continue giving my money to garages because I falsely believe it to be easier and quicker when it just isn't.)

You didn't say it was a double garage , I am so jealous. I would love a double garage connected to my house , insulated and heated with a workshop.

ninja · Post by **ninja** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 11:58 pm

hell even i've managed to remove and refit my undertray - all done with the help of four slabs (to act like a ramp)!

well how else was i going to fit the neons

sounds like your mechanic boys just couldn't be ar5ed doing it!!

ninja

Post by **pete** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 5:04 pm

tenkfeet wrote:
pete wrote:They are going to do it this weekend but I really appreciate the offer Alan thanks.

Pete

(Re spanner and sponges, I agree. Just wait until my double garage is finished. I'm gonna buy so many tools... (then continue giving my money to garages because I falsely believe it to be easier and quicker when it just isn't.)
You didn't say it was a double garage , I am so jealous. I would love a double garage connected to my house , insulated and heated with a workshop.

Well it is a tandem, not strictly a double and it won't be heated (not enough money). I have a workshop already.

I'll let you know when it is all finished and useable for mechanicing and it's all yours whenever you need it.

Pete

Post by **Shug** » Tue Jan 23, 2007 5:09 pm

Dude, FFS, gimme a shout next time - you know I'm a good 5 minutes from you

Reminds me, that's one of the jobs I need to do on mine...