Trolley jack - knackered sills...?

[Roop]

I like to keep my cars looking mint and this means using a jack to enable me to remove the wheels to clean them properly.

My Focus recommends jacking the car using the sills - even with a trolley jack. Now, I can understand with a scissor jack that the U-shaped "lifting plate" (can't think of a better term) will fit round the sill and spread the load somewhat. With a trolley jack and the saucer-shaped lifting plate, it has only two tiny contact patches with the sills, leading me to think that the sills will easily be damaged.

Is there an adapter I can get (or a different jack) that will help spread the load along a few inches of sill as opposed to about a quarter of an inch...?

Ideas...?

[Mr Will]

A block of wood?

[HellDiver]

Block of hard wood with a notch cut in it to match the profile of the sill.

[Roop]

Mr Will said:

A block of wood?

I thought about this, but then thought if the wood splits for some reason, I am properly goosed. If wood's good then wood it is

[Roop]

HellDiver said:

Block of hard wood with a notch cut in it to match the profile of the sill.

OK. That's two for a block of wood. Looking good for the wood right now

[HellDiver]

The ones I used were made out of Ash which is a nice tight grain so unlikely to split. I wouldn't do it on a soft wood like Pine or Spruce.

[Roop]

HellDiver said:

The ones I used were made out of Ash which is a nice tight grain so unlikely to split. I wouldn't do it on a soft wood like Pine or Spruce.

OK. Time for a trip to the local equivalent of B&Q at the weekend then.

[Munter]

You can also get trolley jacks that have a rubber pad rather than the usual ...err... metal "dish". But I suspect a piece of 'ard wood may be cheaper.

[Roop]

Munter said:

You can also get trolley jacks that have a rubber pad rather than the usual ...err... metal "dish". But I suspect a piece of 'ard wood may be cheaper.

Interesting. The trolley jack's my dad's so investing in my own isn't out of the equation. I could be tempted if I could find the right type with this rubber block job. Sounds good. Meanwhile the block de wood should see me through for a bit.

Thanks chaps

[Munter]

Here's an example of what I mean. However I'm sure there are cheaper but with the feature you want. (£200!!)
http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct.asp?sg=&amp...

[Negative Creep]

Trolley jack on the wishbone or suspension mount. Sorted.

[DaveL86]

I know for VW's you can get some special jack pads like these:

http://www.purems.com/images/my_storage/jackpad1.j...

AFAIK they are from ProTech:

http://www.protechproducts.net/jackpads.htm

Saying that I have no idea if any of these pads would help with the Focus, and no doubt would be more expensive than wood.

[AndrewW-G]

Munter said:

Here's an example of what I mean. However I'm sure there are cheaper but with the feature you want. (£200!!)
http://www.holden.co.uk/displayproduct.asp?sg=&amp...

As per the other jack thread going at the moment, Costco do an identical one for around £70, we use them as not only very light so can be hung up out of the way when not in use but also low enough to get under some of the sportier cars

[G_T]

Erm...

Why not just use the wood against the grain?

[ExPat2B]

Cut the slot the opposite way to the grain of the wood to avoid splitting.

I also use a rubber hockey puck screwed into the jack to avoid marking the bottom of the car

Common lifting points are the diff on RWD cars, and suspension mounting points.

[Ponk]

Negative Creep said:

Trolley jack on the wishbone or suspension mount. Sorted.

+1

[plenty]

Anyone got a solution for axle stands? Putting the stands directly on the car rips off the underseal, but I wouldn't feel comfortable balancing the car with a piece of wood or a rubber puck on top of the stands.

[Roop]

Ponk said:

Negative Creep said:

Trolley jack on the wishbone or suspension mount. Sorted.

+1

no straight forward alternative to the sills on the Focus tho

[Roop]

plenty said:

Anyone got a solution for axle stands? Putting the stands directly on the car rips off the underseal, but I wouldn't feel comfortable balancing the car with a piece of wood or a rubber puck on top of the stands.

Ooh. Me. I know this one. I cut squares off an old rubber car mat. Works great.

[WorAl]

ExPat2B said:

Common lifting points are the diff on RWD cars