ZX Jacking

KEB1 · Post by **KEB1** » 31 May 2007, 16:30

Hi All,

This might seem like a very silly question considering everything I have had to do on the car but...
I have always stuck to the recommended jacking points given in the handbook. ie supplied jack on the central points either side and trolly jack at each corner strong point.
However, I took the car to an indpendent tyre specialist today and despite pointing out the jacking points, the guy rolled the trolly jack past the front points and used the chassis box section behind the engine.
As I have got to take the car back tommorow, in the opinion of the forum, should I discourage the operator from jacking in the same place again and encoourage him to use the prescribed points or does it not matter ?

All the best,

Kristian.

Post by **elma** » 31 May 2007, 16:35

In my opinion the jacking sections are for when you use the supplied standard jack to change a puncture and when jacking the car with a proper trolley jack should not be used.
They tend to fold up if you use a proper jack on them and I wouldnt work on a car which wasn't supported from something a bit more solid than the flimsy jacking point..
As far as changing a wheel with the standard jack though, stick to the jacking points or a painful problem may happen.

mezuk04a · Post by **mezuk04a** » 31 May 2007, 17:34

My ZX Temptation was often in the air and it was mostly jacked up in the area you describe (behind the engine) as its more reliable to use a strong bit of chassis opposed to jacking points (in my opinion)... hasnt done any harm to the zx.

Kowalski · Post by **Kowalski** » 31 May 2007, 17:49

If you're going to try to use a trolley jack on the proper jacking points, stick a stout block of wood on it's saddle or you'll end up folding over the seems that run down the sills. Jacking off the subframe is fine on most cars, they're well attached to the car and solid, generally thicker metal than any of the chassis.

Vauxhall had a problem with the suspension arms on Caviliers and Calibras breaking which turned out to be because garages used them for jacking, they were pressed metal poorly welded and no up to the job of carrying the weight of the car.

mezuk04a · Post by **mezuk04a** » 31 May 2007, 18:48

If we did use the jacking points with a trolley jack then we would also put a block of wood ontop.

weety · Post by **weety** » 01 Jun 2007, 23:51

i was in a garage in the 80's and a new mechanic decided to jack up a escort on the jacking point using a trolley jack....

yep you have guessed it big hole in car (ah russian steel who could beat it)

UFO · Post by **UFO** » 02 Jun 2007, 08:38

For the eight weeks my XM was off the road last year it had its front end supported from the chassis with some blocks of wood to spread the load. No problems encountered. The garage is doing the right thing.

jeremy · Post by **jeremy** » 02 Jun 2007, 09:37

The usual problem with tyre fitters is that they try and raise the whole of the front in one go. Many years ago I caught one trying to raise my 1.8 Marina by the engine sump which obviously was not a good idea.

I don't think the middle of a cross member at the front is a good idea either. I look for the subframe mounting points and use a jack near them - with a reasonably well fitting block of wood for the contact point.

I wonder where my TD BX got its dented sump?

JohnD · Post by **JohnD** » 02 Jun 2007, 10:43

mezuk04a wrote:My ZX Temptation was often in the air and it was mostly jacked up in the area you describe (behind the engine) as its more reliable to use a strong bit of chassis opposed to jacking points (in my opinion)... has done any harm to the zx.

My first daughter's 306 got an advisory on an MOT that the cross member was distorted. Coincided with two front tyres from Kwikfit.

rossnunn · Post by **rossnunn** » 03 Jun 2007, 01:11

JohnD wrote:Coincided with two front tyres from Kwikfit.

Says it all really.

weety · Post by **weety** » 03 Jun 2007, 10:13

it would depend how high you jack it as well.....jacking of the side of a crossmember to lift one wheel in the air should be ok if you use it to lift the entire front of the ground you are going to twist the chassis

thinking back a garage jacked up my brothers astra somewhere on the front (never worked out where) the jack slipped and did his radiator....when he went back they claimed it was just wear and tear

and tried to charge him for a radiator plus fitting

KEB1 · Post by **KEB1** » 06 Jun 2007, 13:27

Thanks All,

In view of the comprehensive set of replies, it wasn't such a silly question after all.
As a matter of interest, when I took it back for the new tyre to be fitted, the senior fitter placed the jack immediately on the front jacking point without any hesitation.

All the best,

Kristian.