safer than axle stands?

Discuss anything Morris Minor related.
Forum rules
By using this site, you agree to our rules. Please see: Terms of Use
Kinsley96
Newbie
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 8:35 pm
Location: Portsmouth
MMOC Member: No

safer than axle stands?

Post by Kinsley96 »

Hello,
Is there anything safer than using axle stands to work on the bodywork underneath? I'm worries they could wobble then give way with me under it...

Cheers
Olly
Image
bmcecosse
Minor Maniac
Posts: 46561
Joined: Wed Feb 16, 2005 11:24 pm
Location: ML9
MMOC Member: No

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by bmcecosse »

A Minor owner was killed recently when his car fell on him - so you are right to worry! Axle stands are fine if you are on a level surface with good firm ground - definitely much better than piles of bricks - that sort of thing. Always make sure the stands are firmly located under eg the 'axle' - not simply on a flat surface that may slide off. And always put wheels/tyres/planks of timber under the car so that IF it somehow slips - it will be held by these to save crushing you. For serious work - a roll-over rig is recommended.
ImageImage
Image
C6Dave
Minor Fan
Posts: 310
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:16 am
Location: East Northumberland
MMOC Member: No

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by C6Dave »

Drive on ramps are safer than axle stands but, don't let you remove the wheels.

It really all depends on what you want to do under the car.
linearaudio

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by linearaudio »

There are axle stands and axle stands! I was given a pair of Draper collapsible stands which I wouldn't trust under any circumstances, then there are the good ones![frame]Image[/frame][frame]Image[/frame]
Trickydicky
Minor Legend
Posts: 1565
Joined: Fri Aug 05, 2011 9:53 pm
Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire
MMOC Member: No

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by Trickydicky »

I have 4 of the Clarke Strongarm ones and must say they are very well made and I trust them when working under the car. Regardless of what job I am doing underneath though, I use all four,2 under the axle and 2 under the the chassis legs. Then each corner of the car is supported and its much harder for the car to move as much.

Richard
Richard

Opinions are like people,everyone can be different.
MOGGY1961
Minor Friendly
Posts: 12
Joined: Sun Jul 13, 2008 6:05 pm
Location: BARKING ESSEX
MMOC Member: No

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by MOGGY1961 »

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160855995392? ... 1423.l2648
BUT YOU WOULD NEED 2 PAIRS AND VERY VERY DEEP POCKETS
C6Dave
Minor Fan
Posts: 310
Joined: Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:16 am
Location: East Northumberland
MMOC Member: No

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by C6Dave »

MOGGY1961 wrote: BUT YOU WOULD NEED 2 PAIRS AND VERY VERY DEEP POCKETS
So how much is your life worth as 2 pair equate to circa 1 a summer holiday abroad?
JOWETTJAVELIN
Minor Legend
Posts: 2775
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:20 pm
Location: LANCASHIRE (paradise)
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by JOWETTJAVELIN »

As Dave says - use ramps (never had any problems myself) and put the handbrake on. Whatever you use to prop the car up, make sure someone knows you will be working under it and carry a whistle round your neck.
welshrat
Minor Addict
Posts: 544
Joined: Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:03 pm
Location: Caerleon, Newport, South Wales
MMOC Member: No

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by welshrat »

JOWETTJAVELIN wrote:As Dave says - use ramps (never had any problems myself) and put the handbrake on. Whatever you use to prop the car up, make sure someone knows you will be working under it and carry a whistle round your neck.
Not quite sure about the whistle, guess it may help if you can reach your mouth and have enough puff to blow it with a minor sat on your chest. Reminds me of an old chap who was in the same fishing club as me on the river Usk, always had a whistle in his pocket incase he fell in the river as could not swim!!!!! Follow the sound advise above, do not take any chances, you are a long time dead.

JOWETTJAVELIN
Minor Legend
Posts: 2775
Joined: Mon Dec 12, 2011 7:20 pm
Location: LANCASHIRE (paradise)
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by JOWETTJAVELIN »

Preferably an Acme Thunderer.
moggiethouable
Minor Legend
Posts: 1218
Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2012 12:30 pm
Location: North East England
MMOC Member: Yes

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by moggiethouable »

My local garage agreed to let me use their hydraulic lift (supervised) for a small fee and a box o comics :D
or hunt down some shortened railway sleepers to back up the ramps/axle stands, if the stands fail the car will drop on the sleepers.
Safety first though, no short measures.
Where angels fear to tread
whyperion
Minor Fan
Posts: 331
Joined: Thu Jun 11, 2009 5:01 pm
Location: S W London
MMOC Member: No

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by whyperion »

I had some tree trunks from Richmond Park , lasted me well lent them to a friend whom then died ( unconnected ) and didnt get them back when his garage was cleared out.
MarkyB
Minor Maniac
Posts: 7845
Joined: Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:18 pm
Location: South East London
MMOC Member: No

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by MarkyB »

A Minor owner was killed recently when his car fell on him
True, but we haven't heard the exact circumstances.
If another car ran into the one on stands, or if they weren't on a sound surface it's hardly the fault of the stands.
I have no qualms about getting under a car on good quality stands on a good surface.

"Once you break something you will see how it was put together"
Gimley
Minor Friendly
Posts: 28
Joined: Mon Jun 25, 2012 3:00 pm
Location: Malaysia
MMOC Member: No

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by Gimley »

I actually have more than 20 strong arm type stands in my workshop (I leave all my vehicles on stands when I work out of the country for extended periods), I have been doubling up when working on the Moggie, (2 in each of the 4 corners), because I need the car quite high off the ground to allow access for my slightly rotund body !

and I agree that the wheel or something similar should be placed under the vehicle as well "just in case".
If you don't understand it, take it apart and see how it works?
rayofleamington
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 7679
Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2002 2:55 pm
Location: LEAMINGTON SPA
MMOC Member: No

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by rayofleamington »

I've had a Minor fall off 4 axle stands - it was pretty scary and the ground shook enough for my mum to come out of the house to see if I was alive. Fortunately I wasn't under it.

Random spare wheels make a good safety break (or the car's own spare + any wheels you remove) when the car is on a jack or axle stands. Aslo i've got a ready supply of bricks to chock the remaining wheels. I use these before going under any car (even if just sticking my arm under... it'll be a quick job etc..).
The point of having wood or wheels stacked under the car is to give it something else to land on apart from yourself!

When a car is off the ground (jack, axle stands or wheel ramps) give it a darn good shove around before going under it - sometimes you will then need to stand back as the car topples! How klikely it is to have a problem depends on how level/solid the floor is, the width of the jack/stand base and whether the jack/stand is fighting a side load from another jack/wheel AND if there are other wheels on the ground, whether they can move!
Ray. MMOC#47368. Forum moderator.

Jan 06: The Minor SII Africa adventure: http://www.minor-detour.com
Oct 06: back from Dresden with my Trabant 601 Kombi
Jan 07: back from a month thru North Africa (via Timbuktu) in a S3 Landy
June 07 - back from Zwickau Trabi Treffen
Aug 07 & Aug 08 - back from the Lands End to Orkney in 71 pickup
Sept 2010 - finally gave up breaking down in a SII Landy...
where to break down next?
2013... managed to seize my 1275 just by driving it round the block :(
lambrettalad
Minor Legend
Posts: 2865
Joined: Mon May 09, 2011 3:15 pm
Location: Birmingham THE Second City & home of Aston Villa
MMOC Member: No

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by lambrettalad »

And if your working with a friend etc make sure you have good communication,especially when one is inside and one underneath or in the engine compartment.

Don't wrk with a Wally :roll:
Cheers Alex
all thoughts are given in good faith but..." You pays your money and takes your choice"


[/color]
Dean
Minor Legend
Posts: 2180
Joined: Fri May 30, 2008 9:41 pm
Location: Sutton Coldfield
MMOC Member: No

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by Dean »

One thing that hasn't been mentioned is wind (not the smelly type that hits everyone by surprise). I was working under my mog one day and it was pretty windy. I got from underneath to do the old back stretch and another satisfying safe nudge/rock of the car to ensure stability, when the wind blew. I was very surprised to see the car rock when the gusts were strong. Therefore, keep it in mind before you start and during work if the wind picks up.
My Minor:
A Clarendon Grey 1953 4 Door Series II.
MMOC - 66535


MarkyB
Minor Maniac
Posts: 7845
Joined: Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:18 pm
Location: South East London
MMOC Member: No

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by MarkyB »

I've had a Minor fall off 4 axle stands
Why did it fall off Ray? You don't say.

"Once you break something you will see how it was put together"
BBJ
Minor Friendly
Posts: 14
Joined: Mon Apr 30, 2007 6:26 pm
MMOC Member: No

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by BBJ »

MOGGY1961 wrote:http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/160855995392? ... 1423.l2648
BUT YOU WOULD NEED 2 PAIRS AND VERY VERY DEEP POCKETS

Just seen these http://www.uni-max.co.uk/hydraulic-ramp ... -900-kg/d/


They appear to be the same ?? not sure about postage and not sure about the reliability of the company, but may be worth a look.


John
Image

Maurice
MarkyB
Minor Maniac
Posts: 7845
Joined: Thu Jan 25, 2007 3:18 pm
Location: South East London
MMOC Member: No

Re: safer than axle stands?

Post by MarkyB »

What makes these safer than decent axle stands or ramps?
I see a lot more potential failure point on them.

"Once you break something you will see how it was put together"
Post Reply