7 replies to this topic

[govig]

I've been looking for a bottle jack that is low enough to fit under a Mini front subframe as many don't. This one fits under our Spi and Moke both with 12" wheels. It looks like there's more than the inch extra clearance for those with 10" wheels too. Might be a bit tight with a flat tyre though : )

 

http://www.sgs-engin...ile-bottle-jack

 

Only £10.39 + vat too

 

[Tamworthbay]

Is this for keeping in the boot? They aren't great for changing tyres as they aren't very stable so not good on rough ground.
Aldi and lidl do cheap trolley jacks from time to time as do Halfords.

[govig]

Yes, for carrying around all the time. It fits under the spare wheel. Trolley jacks are better and safer of course but a right pain for carrying around in a Mini boot.

 

SGS do a great 3 tonne low profile trolley jack too which is also remarkable value considering its quality. It's a bit ott for a Mini of course but most of us have other vehicles too.

 

(No connection with SGS by the way except as a retail customer)

[Tamworthbay]

I have never had an issue with a small trolley jack in the boot. A lot of cheap ones come in plastic boxes which stops them rattling around. I wouldn't use a bottle jack on a mini personly but that's just me.

[Cooperman]

What's wrong with the standard Mini side jack? I've used them in rally cars where speed is of the essence and had no problems ever. The only thing I have done on some is to weld a steel plate of around 4 mm thick and 8" x 4" in size under the bottom to make it more stable, although my current car doesn't have this plate and still works well.

I would also not want to use a bottle jack and when working normally at my workshop I use a trolley jack.

[Lt-SilverDragon]

I just picked up a 2 ton SGS low profile trolley jack as my halfords 3 tonne quicklift needs a new seal and it's just arrived. Looked pretty good and hopefully will work well with my lowered cars. Can get it cheap on amazon at the moment, 2 tonne regular for 28 quid and the low profile for around 35 quid which ain't bad at all. Bottle jacks are terrible, might as well just get an AA membership and not carry any jack about as the mini will prolly fall off of it anyway and the jack will go through something important.

[govig]

It's accepted that bottle jacks (and those much worse scissor jacks) have their limits mainly due to the fact that the base of the jack cannot move as the car is lifted. However the issues this sometimes causes can readily be seen by the operator as the car rises who can then take the appropriate action. If they choose not to and the car falls off, it's not the bottle jack's fault. 

 

I realise that any interest of changing a wheel on a fully laden heavy vehicle will be mighty limited on a Mini forum but a bottle jack is just about the only tool that can be used in a roadside breakdown situation and those vehicles aren't falling off those all over the place unless they are being used dangerously. Bottle jacks can also be used to change a trailer wheel for those of us with pre-1998 Minis that can legally use a towbar.

 

On very light vehicles like Minis side jacks and even scissor jacks are a possibility but I'd personally never lift or prop a Mini on any other part than the subframes without something to spread the load over a large surface area which you won't have at the roadside.

 

Bottle jacks can be also used for other purposes in the workshop due to their compact dimensions.

[stocky]

I bought a bottle jack years ago. Found it was next to useless unless it was on flat ground in the garage. I bought a trolley jack and it was far superior for garage applications. I agree that they are too clumbersome for a minis boot. I had left my bottle jack in the boot for a very long time and they don't like falling on its side and it leaked everywhere. Get a scissor jack, less space used and less chance of chipping paintwork like a side jack being wound