Jack upside down?

[Theo]

Last weekend I found my left rear tyre flat after a short trip (arrived with a full tyre home, discovered the flat tyre after 1 hour). Tried to change the wheel with the tools I always carry in the car, so this would be a good practise if I would end miles from home.

I have the (original?) triangle jack, but the pin that should go into the pipe did not fit. The pipe on the car is a D with the straight line on top and the pin on the jack has the shape of a D with the straight line down.

I hammered the pin in the hole and everything worked out well, but is this the way the pin on the jack should be fitted? The jack is all welded together, so I can not easily change this.

[57traveller]

Theo - something I've never checked before because I don't use the jacking points or the original jack. But on checking both my cars the jacking points are the same as yours, straight bit to top. The original jacks are also the same as yours, the straight bit of the "pin" is at the bottom. So I assume they are all correct.

[Kevin]

I know the jacking point should have the flat of the "D" upwards as you both say but I will have to check the jack when I get home, as like 57 I dont use mine either but something does not sound right ?

[57traveller]

Jacking bar end on.


I suspect this could be a strength and safety thing. With the force acting on the curved top the sides would tend to push outwards but prevented to do so by the vertical edges of the jacking point tubes.

[Theo]

I suspect this could be a strength and safety thing

I think you're right. I had to hammer the pin in, but it worked all very well. From now on I'm taking a hammer with me in my toolbox too.

Thanks for your replies.

Theo

[57traveller]

It is in effect an arch and they are very strong. More so than an inverted arch.