17 replies to this topic

[gibbo3100]

iv got a jack that came with the car when i brought it but i cant find any jacking points are there any?

[ShoutforJoy]

Lots of minis have the jacking points removed for the reason following. If there are some they will be about halfway along the sills. But DO NOT USE THEM - you will most likely find that they are rusted through and you can do some serious damage to your car using them. Much better to use a trolley or bottle jack under the subframe with a bit of wood to protect the subframe from damage.

[Dan]

What nonsense! Yes if the sills are in bad shape the jacking points are a problem but if the car hasn't been neglected and is sound they work perfectly well. The reason many Minis end up without jacking points is that lazy previous owners have fitted dodgy, cheap, nasty oversills that don't have any. People don't intentionally remove the jacking points, they just disappear as a by-product of dodgy, bodge happy repair work. If the sills are replaced properly the car keeps its jacking points and they regain their original strength. If they are crumbling or the sills and crossmember are shot then avoid them but if the car is in good condition why not use them?

To answer the original question though, the saloon and cabrio factory jack locates into sockets on each sill that you should find at the ends of the seat cross member. There are only two, the jack lifts one complete side of the car at once. If you have been given another jack with the car, or have an estate or a commercial Mini, then jack under the subframes. Do not use the flat plates at the end of each sill, they are not for lifting the car.

[ShoutforJoy]

The reason many Minis end up without jacking points is that lazy previous owners have fitted dodgy, cheap, nasty oversills that don't have any. People don't intentionally remove the jacking points, they just disappear as a by-product of dodgy, bodge happy repair work.

I'm sorry, Dan, but your are quite wrong in saying that people do not intentionally remove jacking point. They are not lazy or bodgers and would be most offended and insulted to see that you have labelled them that way.

A quick look at this topic will prove otherwise: http://www.theminifo...howtopic=161645 and there are many more.

As a Tech Admin you should really get your facts right and not write insulting and derisory comments on the forum.

[jinjrich]

I removed mine intentionally. I always jack under the subframes, so they were just another rust collector to get rid of.

[tadleysimon]

cut mine out too, they wernt rusted but i wanted them gone, those standard jacks suck.

and you tell him shoutforjoy hahahahaha

[wardyxxx]

I'm gonna weld mine up. Not having my brand new heritage sills rusting. Trolley jack under the subframes all the way!

Just a quick query - d'you all reckon trolly jack's would be ok to use to change a puncture on a journey? Just thought about the wheels on them!!

[xBR4DLEY]

When I do my outer sills my dad is insisting we put the new jacking points in and how many are there I'm pretty sure there's only 2 but he reckons there are 4 , apparently they will make it stronger but I will still jack on subframe anyway

[sonikk4]

Mmmm i have intentionally removed the jacking points from my sons car purely to prevent rust from getting in again. No oversills proper sills plus i will be a lot happier him using a scissor jack or trolley jack on the sub frames.

Yes you can have the original jacking points if maintained then they should last BUT you cannot see what is happening inside the sill in that area so the one time you need to use them they could collapse on you. They are not a good design and no mini unless its a brand new shell will have perfect jacking points, they may look ok but you never know.

I am not a bodger far from it (see the link below) and i am not the only person to remove them. If i was building a concours mini then i would fit them to maintain originality but would still not use them. My personal choice.

If somebody wants to delete the jacking points from their car when replacing the sills then its their choice but does not make them a bodger so a bit of a harsh statement to make.

[Deathrow]

I think Dan was pointing the "bodger" remark more in the direction of the use of oversills, these often don't have the holes to show the jacking point.

I didn't remove mine when I was working on my inner sills but I'm considering it before I put the outter sills on, they are just a useless rust trap.

[Dan]

Ok, fair enough. Apologies for any offence caused but as said above, my meaning was that oversills are bodgery not anything anyone may have done as a considered and properly carried out modification. I maintain there is nothing wrong with the standard jacking points. They don't jack on the sill but on a dedicated extension to the cross member, I've also not personally found them to be a rust trap. Sills tend to rust out in other areas first, often when replacing sills the jacking point is fine. The standard jack is the same type as used on several other cars of the period, it's small and ideal for emergency repairs which is all it's meant for. A trolley jack takes up a lot of room and is heavy.

To answer other questions above, there are only 2 jacking points and trolley jacks are fine for wheel changing but not ideal for use on Tarmac (watch it sink into the road as it takes up the load, these wheel dents stop the jack rolling properly as you lower it which can be dangerous). You should really always have a jacking pad with you to put under any sort of jack on an unstable surface.

[the-green-monkey]

I still have mine and have used them on a couple of occasions with the standard jack and its all cool

[wardyxxx]

To answer other questions above, there are only 2 jacking points and trolley jacks are fine for wheel changing but not ideal for use on Tarmac (watch it sink into the road as it takes up the load, these wheel dents stop the jack rolling properly as you lower it which can be dangerous). You should really always have a jacking pad with you to put under any sort of jack on an unstable surface.

Coolio. Ta, I'll get me a jacking pad.

[dmdangermouse]

Ive just had some work done at a garage and the monkeys didnt even look where they were placing the jack, just slid it under the floor and lifted it up.
Big dent in the floor now
What worries me is that for the metal to be pushed up like that it must of placed alot of stress to the surrounding seams.

[bunch1980]

This is another reason im worried about taking my mini ever to a local garage or non mini specialist. Luckily a school mate runs a garage near me so get good service, and if need to use them will for sure mention about where to jack!
How does a mini get jacked up correctly on the car lift thing?