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Model specific boards => Golf mk2 => Topic started by: Mitching on 24 January 2012, 00:09

Title: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: Mitching on 24 January 2012, 00:09
...To use a widow maker jack to jack up one side of a car while the other side is already on an axle stand?

I need to change the gear oil, but the only jack I have is a widow maker  :undecided:  :embarassed:
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: Thom89 on 24 January 2012, 01:01
As long as the stand opposite, is in a position where it cannot slip out, as the angle of the car changes as it rises. And the rear wheels are chocked front and back, and then the car can be lowered onto the other axle stand, before you get under the car, and the car is on level firm ground, you'll be OK

Thom
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: Mitching on 24 January 2012, 01:05
Makes sense!
Cheers :afro:
Where would be best to stick the axle stands then?
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: Thom89 on 24 January 2012, 01:59
Makes sense!
Cheers :afro:
Where would be best to stick the axle stands then?

Under rear mountings of the front subframe, thats just behind the wheel, and it saves crushing your jacking points

PS, sorry for poor grammar in first post :lipsrsealed:

Thom
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: The Mighty Elvi on 24 January 2012, 10:57
Put the wheel (that you've taken off - axle stand side) under the car (widowmaker side) as you jack up.

That way, if the widomaker slips, the wheel will save your blushes.

Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: Mitching on 24 January 2012, 11:46
That's what I usually do, But as soon as it's jacked up I put the axle stand in before I take the wheel off.
You can never be too careful!
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: clipperjay on 24 January 2012, 15:39
Chock the rear wheels GOOD!!!!
You will see a little movement  :grin:
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: Mitching on 24 January 2012, 19:06
Well, I did it without killing myself!
Didn't have anything to chock the wheels with so I just used some rocks instead that are at the end of my drive.
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: Diamond Hell on 25 January 2012, 08:34
Good idea with the rocks, but seriously, get a better jack. They're not termed 'widowmakers' for nothing. I know of someone living a couple of miles from my workshop who was killed a couple of years ago when his car fell off the jack on to him.
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: Mitching on 25 January 2012, 16:26
It's on the list of the many things I need, but it's difficult on a student budget!
I've had a few brown-trouser moments with the widow maker before, twice it's buckled when I've been in a rush and not had it straight or on the ground properly. Luckily I'm always a bit cautious when using it so don't get in any uncompromisable positions if the inevitable happens.
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: VW BUSH on 25 January 2012, 19:52
It's on the list of the many things I need, but it's difficult on a student budget!
I've had a few brown-trouser moments with the widow maker before, twice it's buckled when I've been in a rush and not had it straight or on the ground properly. Luckily I'm always a bit cautious when using it so don't get in any uncompromisable positions if the inevitable happens.

Machine mart do a compact 2t jack in a case for £25 :wink:

EDIT:
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/clarke-2-tonne-diy-trolley-jack-with-tough-mou?da=1&TC=SRC-jack

Not as low as some but you could put some smaller wheels on it :smiley:
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: Mitching on 25 January 2012, 20:36
I'd probably need a low entry one though  :undecided:
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: mk2bal on 25 January 2012, 21:06
Widow maker to lift it enough to get the trolley jack under. What I and probably many others have to do
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: Mitching on 25 January 2012, 21:50
I'd rather spend the money on something decent and that's up to the job though.
That way I won't have to bother with the widow maker at all and only need to get it out in emergencies.

Buy cheap, buy twice and all that.
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: VW BUSH on 25 January 2012, 22:24
Jack is pretty low and quality is pretty good, I will measure it on't weekend :smiley:
Size is main feature and it has a case which tucks in nicely  :wink:
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: X4MGS on 25 January 2012, 23:20
I'd rather spend the money on something decent and that's up to the job though.
That way I won't have to bother with the widow maker at all and only need to get it out in emergencies.

Buy cheap, buy twice and all that.

Buy Once and keep breathing....

Your MENTAL not to buy a proper jack...

For £25.00 stay away from the pub for one night and you will be quids in... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: Mitching on 25 January 2012, 23:41
I'd rather spend the money on something decent and that's up to the job though.
That way I won't have to bother with the widow maker at all and only need to get it out in emergencies.

Buy cheap, buy twice and all that.

Buy Once and keep breathing....

Your MENTAL not to buy a proper jack...

For £25.00 stay away from the pub for one night and you will be quids in... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I'm saying I do want a proper jack, but I want one that is low entry so I can do away with the widow maker.
I don't want to spend money on something that will still need my current jack (or driving onto planks or bricks) to be able to use it.

And I'm a student, easier said than done!
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: X4MGS on 25 January 2012, 23:53
I'd rather spend the money on something decent and that's up to the job though.
That way I won't have to bother with the widow maker at all and only need to get it out in emergencies.

Buy cheap, buy twice and all that.

Buy Once and keep breathing....

Your MENTAL not to buy a proper jack...

For £25.00 stay away from the pub for one night and you will be quids in... :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
I'm saying I do want a proper jack, but I want one that is low entry so I can do away with the widow maker.
I don't want to spend money on something that will still need my current jack (or driving onto planks or bricks) to be able to use it.

And I'm a student, easier said than done!

I have a cheap clarke one that cost £25.00 and does a good job... Gave it to my son and he is still using it..

I had to buy one of these for lowered cars..

http://www.sealey.co.uk/PLPageBuilder.asp?gotonode=ViewProduct&method=mViewProduct&productid=13235&productdescription=&productcode=&category=1&catgroup=354&catmicrogroup=1365&analysiscode=&requiredresults=16

Only issue is that it doesn't lift high enough to put axle stand at a high enough level to comfortably work underneath so had to buy one on these..

http://www.sealey.co.uk/PLPageBuilder.asp?gotonode=ViewProduct&method=mViewProduct&productid=4659&productdescription=&productcode=&category=1&catgroup=354&catmicrogroup=1436&analysiscode=&requiredresults=16

But only when on offer for £75.00
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: Mitching on 26 January 2012, 11:38
 :shocked: :shocked: :shocked:
How much!?!?!

£25 one it is then!  :grin:
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: clipperjay on 26 January 2012, 12:00
Listen in the old days I used to go to the breakers yards look into the boots and find all sorts of jacks safer than widow maker or scissor cutters :grin:
The best ones are in the 4x4 preferably japanese jacks they are usually shiny and okay for short term use!
Other than that mate check out if anyone has ramps that are cheap they might be not much use if you need to take wheels off though :grin:
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: Mitching on 26 January 2012, 18:52
Not a bad idea, I know someone that works at a local auto recycling yard so he might be able to sort me something out.

I have ramps, as well as an inspection pit in my garage back home.
But I don't want to be driving back there from uni every time I need something doing to the car!
Title: Re: Is it completely stupid...
Post by: Cory on 28 January 2012, 20:54
i got a £30 jobby from halfrauds, fits under jacking points fine with a 60mm drop on 15's, plus i always keep the widow maker in with the spare wheel anyways if i have a problem