Axle stands or ramps - which are better?

Post by **Geraldine** » Fri Jul 03, 2009 11:16 pm

I would like to get either axle stands or ramps at some point so that I can get underneath the car, my husband says ramps are better than stands, but have heard otherwise. Also our garage is quite cramped (partly due to his motorbike & sidecar!) so thinks axle stands are the way to go.
Just wanted some opinions really to enable me to decide, thanks in advance!

Post by **rayofleamington** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 12:19 am

Both have their uses, but I much prefer ramps if there's a choice.
If you're stuck for space, axle stands take less room...

You can't use ramps if you want to take the wheels off, however if you have plenty of room, it's much quicker just to drive onto ramps... and as long as the wheels are properly on the ramps they're marginally more stable.

Post by **bmcecosse** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 12:43 am

I would say - get BOTH! As Ray suggests - they have different uses. Most useful of all of course - is a good trolley jack (two are even better!) , and sometimes they come with 'free' axle stands.

Sat Jul 04, 2009 5:22 am

I have both stands + ramps but I can not remember the last time i used the ramps, i use the stands all the time, if that is of any help (probably not).

Post by **d_harris** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 4:33 pm

I prefer ramps. Of course the use of stands is nessecary if the wheel has to come off....

When you look at it, most axle stands are taller than they are wide which in my book makes them inherintly unstable. Ramps on the other hand have a significantly greater contact area with the ground and are less likely to tip. I've had an axle stand go over when I was doing something to the trav in its resto (can't remember exactly what though), and fortunatly I wasn't underneath!

In any case, when working under a car make sure that its supported in more than one place (and certainly not only on a jack!) and if possible you have some kind of "fallback" in place just in case (i.e. a stack of tyres etc)

Post by **ASL642** » Sat Jul 04, 2009 4:40 pm

Large trolley jack/axle stands. Depends of course what you're working on.

Post by **Mick_Anik** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 12:12 am

Get hold of some old wheels with the tyres on, and shove a couple of these, one on top of the other, under the car near where you are working. It's a bit of a heave keep moving them around, but it means you can concentrate better of the job in hand and not have to keep glancing at the ramps or stands. Even better is to have four lots of the two old wheels dotted about under the car. I fill any gaps with blocks of wood - I have quite a collection now, of varying thickness.

Post by **iandromiskin** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 9:28 am

Is it safe to work underneath a car that is supported by four axle stands by the way ??????

Post by **Mick_Anik** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 10:08 am

I don't see why not - if they are placed on a hard, flat surface, of good quality and the weight of the car does not exceed the recommended load limit. And, of course, if the car is structurally sound and not like to collapse under the strain.
And, further, if you are not working in an area prone to earth tremors.

Even if I had four 30-ton axle stands made up by Mercedes, I would still put the old wheels underneath!

Post by **bmcecosse** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 11:19 am

Yes - I do old wheels too!

Post by **alainmoran** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:46 pm

Yep ... wheels always go under the car when I'm working on it in a 'you never know what might happen' sort of way.

Still before I go crawling about underneath I give the car a few good shoves from several angles to check that even when TRYING that there is no way I can rock it off the mountings ... if it seems at all unstable I adjust it until it isnt.

This is you life we are talking about here, there is no point in cutting corners just for an spare half hour under the car.

Post by **Mick_Anik** » Thu Aug 13, 2009 7:51 pm

Good advice pouring in here!

There may be a planet somewhere in the universe where nothing bad ever happens, where freak accidents are unknown and the good folk there never have anything to worry about.

It isn't ours, though.

Post by **cormorant** » Sat Aug 15, 2009 11:43 am

I think both are a good idea too if you have the space to store the ramps. I have some folding axle stands from Halfords which I can carry with me in the boot of the car and are not expensive. Maybe start with something like this and get ramps later? Some big chunky blocks of wood are always handy too. Never use house bricks under a car as they can crumble. The wheel under the car idea is great from a safety point of view and very reassuring should something go wrong as it is both stable and uncrushable.

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Sun Aug 16, 2009 10:46 pm

I would go for ramps as general looking under stuff as they are far quicker than jacking two seperate wheels off the ground and positioning axle stands- I find the second axle stand often fights the first at the first attempt anyway, taking even more time.
If you work out the height you get (~10") from driving onto ramps, then try to equal that by jacks and stands, you will find the stands uneasily top heavy, assuming the DIY variety!

Post by **alainmoran** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 11:58 am

My problem with ramps however is that they always seem to go scooting away from me, and I never fancy driving fast at them as I may go over the top.

Are there any tips people have for using ramps, both on the front and rear ends (I seem to remember one way was relatively easy, but the other a nightmare)

Post by **MarkyB** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 6:21 pm

I've wondered about putting a few blobs of weld on the bottoms of my ramps to help with this problem.
Rubber mats underneath might do the trick.

Post by **Mick_Anik** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 8:13 pm

Or weld up an 'approach' to the ramp from angle iron - flat on the ground, attached to the ramp either by a connecting-pin system or permanently welded to it, and long enough to be held firmly by the moving the wheel before it reaches the 'hill'of the ramp.

Post by **sixdogsisback** » Mon Aug 17, 2009 8:18 pm

Yes this is a problem. never use them on a gravel drive either. Always have an observer to help you get squarely on the ramps. Try and get hold of ramps which have a lead in piece at the bottom with a shallower angle. The cheap ramps are too short and the slopes too steep.

linearaudio · Post by **linearaudio** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 9:17 am

Hmm, I've never had a problem with mine scooting, but they are antique, so probably built with a bit more savvy than a lot of modern stuff!
Only time I have problems is with the local boys' Saxo's etc which won't go near them due to the ground effect spoilers

Also difficult getting a trolley jack under- usually have to get the owner to lift under the wheelarch to give some initial clearance!
As regards working on 4 axle stands- I wouldn't with the budget type, as the stems seem to wave around alarmingly, and I would worry about the whole plot toppling! You get what you pay for, and if you once use a set of decent axle stands it will make you realise how dodgy some of the cheap ones are!

Post by **xpress** » Tue Aug 18, 2009 10:43 am

i prefer axle stands because i am not very confident with shunting the car up on ramps but i am sure that would change if i use my ramps more often.