jacking points - 2000tc jacking points

[andy2000tc]

HI, I have obtained the four round bars necessary to raise my vehicle up on axle stands. As I have been brought up never to trust jacking points this method of securing the car caused me some concern at first. Thankfully the structure on my car is sound but unfortunately I found that the bars have bent when using the rear jacking points. Have I been unlucky with the quality of the bars? or have I been doing something wrong? The stands are heavy duty 6 tonnes. the drive where I do the work is slightly uneven, could this be the cause? is there an alternative safe method of raising the vehicle? especially as I would like to replace the rear bushes in the future. Cheers-Andy

 

[arthuy]

Hi Andy,

When I have had the rear end off I have always used axle stands and a block of wood below the jack points. If you are not taking off the trailing arms then just where it mounts the body is a good spot.

I think that the block of wood spreads the load a bit and you don't have to worry about the jack tube giving way. Not that it sounds like your will.


Colin

 

[keanej]

I used round steel bar in the jacking points with axel stands when I did the rear suspension and also recently when I replaced the rear discs. ( also put blocks of wood under the rear cross member - below the rear seats as a precaution )

Petrol tank was also low to reduce the weight.

I would say if you are using steel tube it would need to be quite thick, say 1/4 , or it would bend. I also don't think I would risk putting all 4 points on axle stands at the same time - especially the front when the engine is still in the car.

 

[scauto]

you can jack up either using the factory rear jacking pad (sticks out of body at rear below base) or big block of wood under jacking point or stick a jack under the rear cross member in the middle of the car.
Depending on jacking you can keep the car aloft by putting axle stands on the rear cross member (this is where the front ends of the trailing arms mount) or big blocks of wood on floor under jacking point - I have some 2" thick 8" wide and 12" long blocks I use for this ( at front and rear) - they spread the load well.
Once the car is all up I always give it a good shake/shove to make sure all is secure before getting underneath.

 

[BBLongman]

I wouldn't jack under the rear cross member that bolts onto the car and holds the trailing arms. I don't think it's strong enough to jack in the middle of it and the one that came off my car was bent.

I jack at the points where the rear cross member bolts to the body using a block of wood to protect the body. Maybe this is what you mean anyway.

The worst damage seems to occur when people mistake the lugs on the bottom of the floor pan for jacking points. As I understand these where used to locate the panels on a jig during manufacture.