Central jacking point for trolley jack

[jools]

Hi all
Apologies if this has been covered but I'm still unsure of where to jack the front of the car.
I have a 1964 1000, and I need to get underneath. The trolley jack instructions advise to jack the car in the middle when placing axle stands. There looks like a suitable part of the chasis below the radiator. Would it be ok to use a piece of wood to spread the load a bit and jack it up from this point?
Also, would placing the axle stands under the front shock absorbers be ok?
Thanks
Jools

[mogbob]

Try and go for an appropriate lump of 4 x 2 " wood for the cross member by the rad.
It's deceptive..at first glance in the gloom ...it looks like a flat horizontal surface.In reality, the front face slopes slightly down to the horizontal.
Experiment with a suitable size smaller wooden batten to accommodate the slope at the front and nail it to the front of the
4 x 2 " batten.
It's a quick way of locating the wood on your jack and won't collapse/ fall apart as you lift the car.

With two other bits of 4 x 2 " timber, put them under the two box sections, either side of the engine and the lower the car onto the axle stands.
Reason.... it will give a stable load area / point, spread the load, and hopefully " bridge" any rusty / weak metal ( until, at the earliest opportunity ,you can repair the area properly ).
Usual other precautions, handbrake on, wheels chocked, don't get under until you've given it a shake, to make sure it's firm.Leave the jack in position, "just" lifting, so all three points are supporting, jack plus two axles stands.Let someone know " you're going under ".
Builders skips are prime hunting territory for 4 x2 " offcuts !!
Bob

[bmcecosse]

What do you mean by 'under the front 'shock absorbers' ??? Suspension 'shocks' are absorbed by the torsion bars - so do you mean under the chassis rail - where the torsion bars are fixed through - with the eye bolts?? If so - yes - but with timber packers in place, and make SURE the car can't slip... the front suspension dampers are mounted high up under the bonnet - not really possible to put axle stands there.....

[mike.perry]

Certainly do not use the jacking points at the side under the doors

[bmcecosse]

Jack under the chassis rails - with timber - each side - one side at a time then place the stands where they CANNOT slip .. Always place wheels etc under the car just in case it slips off the stands - a Minor Owner was sadly killed recently when the car fell on him.