Trolley Jack for General Servicing?

[Roderic]

Hi All,

I'm going to be attempting a radiator change and planning on doing basic servicing like oil changes.
I was thinking of getting a trolley jack to make the job easier, I got a set of ramps but they are too steep to drive up without hitting the front bumper. At the moment I'm having to jack the car with scissor jack, then putting the ramp under the wheel.
Found an Ebay special for $89 delivered which is supposed to be "slimline/low profile" 1550KG, just wondering if it would do the job or do you need to get on of the $200+ units?
Doed anyone have any expereince with the cheapo ebay special?

Thanks
Rod

[spikes]

Thanks cheap for a low profile one, want to share the link?

[sailaholic]

I got one from eBay. Alcan for memory about that price but PLUS delivery. Twin pump aluminum. Very happy with it.

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[hks_kansei]

Unless you're lowered you don't really need a low profile jack.

My $30 no-brand jack has done the job for me for the past 5 years or so.

[Roderic]

Here is the one they are clearing with free shipping.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1550kg-Slimline-Steel-Hydraulic-Floor-Trolley-Jack-Compact-Low-Profile-Case-/270981809754?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3f17c6465a

1550KG should be ok for an MX5?

[hks_kansei]

Anything more than 1100kg is fine for an MX5 (not sure on the weight of the NC)

BUT, always use stands, never just trust the jack.

[Guran]

This is all you need ...

Basic hydraulic trolley jack (1400kg) - $49 at Supercheap


Two pairs of car stands (1200kg) - $35 x 2 = $70 at Supercheap
Don't be tempted to work under your car without using car stands to support it.


I've no affiliation with Supercheap, and you'll possibly find better or cheaper options elsewhere. Just using these as an example.

[hks_kansei]

Guran's suggestion is basically what I use.

A cheap jack, mine's a 1300kg.

And a decent set of jack stands, again, as Guran suggested, buy a set of 4 together, it saves later on buying another pair only to find they're a slightly different height to the others.

[Roderic]

I needed the low profile to get under my bodykit (Gararge Vary/Wizdom).
At the moment I'll use the ramps as jack stands.
Do you need both front and back level when changing oil, radiator or can you do it with just the front up?

Thanks
Rod

[Black_Penguin]

I didn't jack the car when I replaced my radiator but I was able to stick my head under the front to access the drain plug and the lower hose. You may not be able to do this with your body kit, I know I wouldn't be able to do the same now.
For oil changes I jack the drivers side front and remove the wheel to drain the sump then lower and refit wheel to fill.

[sailaholic]

Doesn't look that low profile. I'd get an super cheap one or spend more and get the aluminium dual pump one. Starts lower and goes higher! I'd also buy screw adjustable jack stands but the floors I use are often not perfectly flat.

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[Guran]

If you need a lower jack, I'm sure there are others from the usual suspects which probably work out cheaper than having one shipped via ebay. Ramps are probably OK for changing your radiator. But it's better to have the car level when changing the oil. Also, you'll appreciate a set of jack stands instead of ramps when you get around the changing brake pads.

[Hellmun]

Don't forget that 2 solid planks of wood are all that required to reduce the ramp angle. The ramps I use are way too steep for my car but they're hinged so we just made mini wooden ramps to extend the length of the ramps and reduce the angle. Also those $200 race style aluminium jacks aren't really worth it for occasional servicing, they're usually just a bit lighter for carrying around in cars and require only a few pumps to significantly raise the vehicle. The cheapy $50 jacks will take 15+ strokes to equal 3 on most of the expensive alloy ones but I doubt your going to be in a big rush. I've got a $20 supercheap jack that we just modified the jacking point so it mimicked the stock scissor jack. Which solves the issue of getting the jack under a lowered car, stock I thought almost any jack will clear easily.

Also stands are %100 required before you get under a car supported by a hydraulic jack, I've actually seen a hydraulic jack let go under a car that I wasn't under and was in the process of getting the stands for. It was an old jack which had been accidently hit with something (no idea what but it was hard enough to put a big crease in it and I certainly didn't think to check over a jack before using it). It didn't rupture for about 45 seconds under load and when it let go it dropped a relatively light car (950kg camira) hard. Both scary and enlightening.

Btw you'll want the oil filter removal tool (Mania had them for like $10 when I got one). The filters in an awkward spot under the intake manifold and if your changing the oil hot which makes it easier it's very awkard to do by hand. Very shortly you'll look at those $300-400 filter relocation kits that you thought were horribly overpriced and pointless...and completely understand what great value it is for your hands, arms and sanity

[NitroDann]

The jack only ever lifts half the car at the most so a 650kg jack would do.

the advantage of a shop sized proper jack is that they are easier to use, come in low profile and last forever, the small ones like the one pictured above are rubbish.

My jack was 180 and one of the best bits of kit Ive bought.

Dann

[Jace]

i made my own low ramps that i call 'slamps'. my $420 jack lifts from 70mm to 610mm.