Car Jack Requirements / Advice

[Mr_F]

So the Winters are comming off this weekend and looking at doing the job myself.

What should I look for when buying a jack, I've heard the one in the boot isn't too great!

Going to be swapping my wheels on the clock change every year on at least one car so don't mind buying a slightly better jack.  I'm seriously unlikeley to be doing any work under the car, but equally don't want something to fall down and smash the discs.

Also any advice on getting the bolts undone that have been put on with a gun would help.

All advice welcome.

[N900 MJT]

A good 2 tonne jack will do what you are after - don't need anything fancy or low level - most car shops will recommend one if you ask them

Make sure the jack is on the correct lifting points as you could bend the sills

For getting the wheel nuts off I normally use a breaker bar and muscle power

[jonrandom]

And undo the wheel nuts a little bit before you jack the car help up to stop them spinning.

[mad4vws]

make sure use axcle stands and put them in the right jacking points ...

[Mr_F]

All good advice, thanks guys, buy you all a pint if you can find my local....hehe 

[scarr89]

If you are only changing the wheels and wont be doing anything else than the one in the boot is fine, that is what it is desgined for, changing a wheel. When its jacked up just put the wheel that is ready to go on underneath the chassis near the wheel arch so if the jack goes the car won't hit the floor. I am sure the jack wouldn't go, espeically as it takes less than 5min to change a wheel...Don't waste your money.

[Seanl]

If you do get a trolley jack, don't get a cheap one. I've only had mine about a year, but the rear castor is buckled, one of the front wheels fell off yesterday, and its started leaking too. Time for me to invest in a new one too!

[scarr89]

The only positive thing about getting a trolley jack is quicker jacking. But if you are only using it to change a wheel don't bother.

[Rhyso]

If you are only changing the wheels and wont be doing anything else than the one in the boot is fine, that is what it is desgined for, changing a wheel. When its jacked up just put the wheel that is ready to go on underneath the chassis near the wheel arch so if the jack goes the car won't hit the floor. I am sure the jack wouldn't go, espeically as it takes less than 5min to change a wheel...Don't waste your money.

 

A decent trolley jack is about £40 which is well worth the money if you're going to be using it at least twice a year.

I've witnessed first hand the 'widow maker' collapsing; thankfully Adam (on here) wasn't hurt!!  Nearly made a mess of the side skirts mind.......

[scarr89]

If you are only changing the wheels and wont be doing anything else than the one in the boot is fine, that is what it is desgined for, changing a wheel. When its jacked up just put the wheel that is ready to go on underneath the chassis near the wheel arch so if the jack goes the car won't hit the floor. I am sure the jack wouldn't go, espeically as it takes less than 5min to change a wheel...Don't waste your money.

 

A decent trolley jack is about £40 which is well worth the money if you're going to be using it at least twice a year.

I've witnessed first hand the 'widow maker' collapsing; thankfully Adam (on here) wasn't hurt!!  Nearly made a mess of the side skirts mind.......

Meh 

Spend the £40 get a trolley jack. Rhyso is right...I'll go crawl back under my rock