Morris Minor Owners Club

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

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.

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.

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][/frame][frame][/frame]

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

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

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?

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.

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.

Preferably an Acme Thunderer.

My local garage agreed to let me use their hydraulic lift (supervised) for a small fee and a box o comics
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.

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.

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.

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".

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!

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

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.

I've had a Minor fall off 4 axle stands

Why did it fall off Ray? You don't say.

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

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