Underside access
Discussion
How do all you DIYers get access to the underneath of your Elise?
I've looked at car ramps, but they all look too steep to avoid grounding the car (particularly the front).
Can you use axle stands? If so, do you need two jacks to lift to the car while you put the stands in place? Do you need to remove the undertray before resting the car on the stands, or is there a safe resting place accessible within the wheel arches?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
I've looked at car ramps, but they all look too steep to avoid grounding the car (particularly the front).
Can you use axle stands? If so, do you need two jacks to lift to the car while you put the stands in place? Do you need to remove the undertray before resting the car on the stands, or is there a safe resting place accessible within the wheel arches?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Si,
Ramps are fine for working on the rear of the car (exhaust etc).
I have LSS on my S1 120/110 and never ground mine out while reversing up them. (get's close though)
Top tip, loops of carpet hanging off the front of the ramps will hold them in place when reversing up and will stop them skidding across the garage floor.
Axle stands also fine. You just need a low entry trolley jack on the central jacking point (marked with a blue sticker on the chassis side member). This will lift both side wheels together and allow placement of axel stands / reams of paprer/ logs or whatever your stand of choice is!
Then repeat for the other side.
Once in the air, removing the wheels makes placing the stands easier. Undertrays can stay on by the way. Just place the stands at the end of the chassis side rails with a suitable protector between stand and chassis (wood, carpet or similar).
Have fun
Dunc
Ramps are fine for working on the rear of the car (exhaust etc).
I have LSS on my S1 120/110 and never ground mine out while reversing up them. (get's close though)
Top tip, loops of carpet hanging off the front of the ramps will hold them in place when reversing up and will stop them skidding across the garage floor.
Axle stands also fine. You just need a low entry trolley jack on the central jacking point (marked with a blue sticker on the chassis side member). This will lift both side wheels together and allow placement of axel stands / reams of paprer/ logs or whatever your stand of choice is!
Then repeat for the other side.
Once in the air, removing the wheels makes placing the stands easier. Undertrays can stay on by the way. Just place the stands at the end of the chassis side rails with a suitable protector between stand and chassis (wood, carpet or similar).
Have fun
Dunc
Si,
Dunc is spot on. I also have a Draper inflatable bag to get mine off the floor. Like Dunc, mine has the LSS fitted and I couldn't find anything which would fit underneath (90mm clearance at the lowest point). The bag fits onto the exhaust and the pressure easily lifts the liz (rated at 1.5t+). They are £30-40 if memory serves. Good luck.
Rich.
Dunc is spot on. I also have a Draper inflatable bag to get mine off the floor. Like Dunc, mine has the LSS fitted and I couldn't find anything which would fit underneath (90mm clearance at the lowest point). The bag fits onto the exhaust and the pressure easily lifts the liz (rated at 1.5t+). They are £30-40 if memory serves. Good luck.
Rich.
Guys,
I had trouble finding a jack to fit under the chassis as well. You can pay 100+ sheets for a low entry trolley jack (I think Liz parts do one). In the end I got a 30 quid job from Halfords, took the little wheels off and removed the saddle, slides under a treat now. Just not quite as easy to move around the garage!
Fine for my DIY mechanics though.
Dunc
I had trouble finding a jack to fit under the chassis as well. You can pay 100+ sheets for a low entry trolley jack (I think Liz parts do one). In the end I got a 30 quid job from Halfords, took the little wheels off and removed the saddle, slides under a treat now. Just not quite as easy to move around the garage!
Fine for my DIY mechanics though.
Dunc
I have the LSS fitted to my Sport 160. I bought a trolley jack from Makro for £10, take the top black metal cup off the jack to make it a bit lower and then get someone to just lift some weight off the car where you are trying to put the jack. Only need to lift it a little, a few mm. I actually managed to do this on my own, one hand to pick the car up and the other to slide the jack it. I'm not superman either !
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