2T trolley jack

[robandsophie]

Hi,

Does anyone know if a 2T trolley jack is ok for morris minor or do I need something a bit heavier rated? Just got a Clarke 2T but looks a bit small to my mind.

Rob

[philthehill]

A two ton capacity trolley jack is more than adequate for any of the tasks being carried out on a Minor.
What you want is stability of the jack when jacking/lifting the car.
What model Clarke jack have you purchased?
I have the Clark CTJ2L (but old model number) and I do use that sometimes when lifting the Minor or need an additional jack.
My preferred jack is the 2 ton capacity CTJ2001G professional jack (but old model number) which I could not do without.
You will need a pair of axle stands to go with the jack as you should not work under the car without them. It is folly to just rely on the jack to keep the car in the air.
Phil

[robandsophie]

Thanks for info Phil,

I have the shorter version (CTJ2) which is probably why it looks a little small. To be honest I was going to return it as appears to be used (from Machine-mart) as has paint chips and oil on it.
I think I will pay the extra and get the longer version.
Yep I certainly wouldn't going under/or work on the car with jack alone, that way would only end in tears!
Where do you tend to place your axle stands? I was going to use some timber along main frame to spread the load and rest onto stands.

Cheers

Rob

[les]

I saw an AA man last week working under the front of a transit type van using just a trolley jack, not a particularly sturdy one either! I've got a decent Snap on trolley jack but still use axle stands or blocks. If I'm just changing a wheel I trust the jack.

[philthehill]

Thanks for the info regarding the jack purchased.
I personally would change it for at least the CJ2L which has the longer and wider chassis so being more stable.
The problem with the smaller jacks is that the total lift is small. Even the CJ2L has only a max height of 378mm which I would consider inadequate to do any serious work on a Minor.
As regards jacking points:
I have a specially made wooden dolly to fit under and fully across the front cross member for a duel front suspension lift otherwise under the suspension lower arm; as far outboard as possible.
If lifting at the rear I usually place the jack under the diff axle casing.
If only requiring to lift one side I place the jack under the spring to axle clamp.
I always use a piece of wood between the jack and where I am lifting as it helps stop the jack slipping especially when metal to metal contact..
You can lift along the side of the car so long as you use an appropriate piece of wood to spread the load.
As regards the jack failing - a work colleague working on his own was killed when the jack he was using collapsed and he was trapped under the car. Only when his wife became concerned many hours later did a search party find him but by then it was too late.
If using axle stands make sure that the ground they are being used on is level and the top end supporting the car cannot slip.
Currently my Minor is up on axle stands at both ends and at the front end (adjacent to the eye bolt) there is a piece of wood topped by a piece of non slip material between the top of the axle stand and the chassis leg. The wood also helps to spread the load over the bottom of the chassis leg. At the rear the axle stands are placed at the outermost points of the axle tube.
Be selective in your choice of axle stands. The axle stands under the Minor are these from Halfords
http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/ ... xle-stands
They have a nice flat top and a wide base/footprint to keep it all steady.
If in any doubt push the spare and any wheel(s) you have taken off under the lowest point of the car.
Better a damaged wheel than a damaged body.
Phil

[Trickydicky]

I have 2 pairs of these,
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/prod ... -020110003
The V groove sits on the rear axle casing securely and the top part of the stand sits perfectly on the chassis legs.
As Phil does I have a dolly for lifting the front end up equally then put the stands in on the lowest setting so I can lift it to the height I need. It's much safer.

[robandsophie]

Thanks Phil,

Really helpful. I am new to Morris Minors so unsure of best way to jack them up. I'm aware they can be fragile wee beasties sometimes. Do you have any pictures of your jacking dolly that you use, as sounds ideal and I could try and replicate it.
Thanks also to Richard who also advised re: jacking and stands and using a dolly.

Best wishes

Rob

[bmcecosse]

A pair of ramps can be quicker and perhaps safer too...

[philthehill]

Rob
Pictures as requested.
The dolly is a snug fit between the fore and aft chassis rails.
Phil[frame][/frame][frame][/frame]
Car ramps have their place if for example you want to take the sump off but some times you do need to jack up the car and secure with axle stands.
I have a pair of Melco car ramps purchased over 45 years ago and still in very good condition and they do get used especially when playing with the underside of the car.
Unfortunately the car is so lowered that it is impossible to drive up the ramps so I just jack up the car and place the ramps under the wheels to give a nice steady platform so as to be able to pull and shove without fear of any mishap.
Phil

[robandsophie]

Hi Phil,

Thanks for the photo's, what a great idea. I will have a go a replicating that.
Got say though, your chassis is a million miles away from my rather tired example.

Best wishes

Rob

[philthehill]

Thanks for the comments re chassis - original 1958 and no welding to front legs or around front of rear springs.
What welding has been done has been mostly as a result of modifying the car but I have had to cut out and replace small areas as a result of the rust worm - but overall chassis /body is in excellent condition.
I used to work on her before I owned her and the chassis was always filled with waste oil and paraffin and I continued the process when I took over custodianship more than 40 years ago
A good and cheap way of keeping the rust at bay.
Phil

[robandsophie]

Hi Phil,

I have a bought a 1968 2 door trafalgar blue morris 1000. My first; I have been after one for a couple of years now and took the leap about 1 month ago! My daughter has named it Mervyn the morris

Another great idea using old oil, I guess I could cover underside with this as well. Don't suppose you've got any ideas for removing carpet glue and brown fibre padding from floor pan. I have taken the carpet up to give it a good look over, clean and re-paint, but was stuck down. Got it out but left tacky residue and bits of fibre padding .

Cheers

Rob

[philthehill]

The paraffin acts as the carrier for the oil and it seeps down between the spot welds and helps keeps the rust at bay.
The underside of my Minor was cleaned right back to bare metal and then painted with self etch primer followed by a good quality red oxide paint.
As regards the remaining carpet / glue - unfortunately the only remedy is hard graft with a scraper made from an old file.
Phil

[robandsophie]

Thanks Phil,

Looks like hard graft awaits me then
Thanks for all the advice.

Best wishes

Rob

[Hesketh]

After many years of using the standard issue Halford trolly Jack I got quite frustrated with the low lift height and the general instability.

So picked this up https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke- ... w-profile/ I can't quite get over why I have not got this years ago. Totally solid bit of kit and very stable. Also the nylon wheels are much quieter getting dragged about the garage.