8 replies to this topic

[Kawh1]

Hello,

 

My tool kit in the Cooper has two jacks, one is the standard vertical screw jack plus there is a small scissor jack as shown in the attached photo. The owners manual does not show a scissor at all - is this correct? The scissor jack has a clasp fitting on top which must be used to hook into a part under the car - can anyone help with info on where and how this jack should be used - cheers.

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[Aria Aradhea]

Added by the previous owner, it would seem.

[gazza82]

Not sure you could use that on a Mini. It's probably designed for a different car where that lug fits into a slot or locates on the sill. Then again I've never seens on like that.

[slidehammer]

If you cut off the return part on top, you could use it under the subframes in an emergency. I keep a scissor jack in the boot for emergencies as they seem a safer bet than the standard item.

[stuart bowes]

you could go one further, cut the top off, drill a hole, attach a rubberised jacking pad so you don't scuff up the underside of the car

 

I was actually going to raise this question at some point - seeing as I'm replacing my sills and plating over up the dangerous weak original jacking point holes.. I assume others have done the same, what do they do about a jack.  something like this ^ I suppose

 

or just long off the spare wheel and carry a tin of tyre weld 

Edited by stuart bowes, 06 June 2022 - 01:33 PM.

[MikeRotherham]

The original jacking points are only dangerous and weak if the area around them is seriously corroded.

 

I've used them a couple of times on my present car and similarly on a previous mini without any problems.

 

The way the jack locates deeply into the hole in the sill is good leaving no room for doubt unlike several of my later daily drivers where the flange of the sill just sits in a groove into the the top of the jack and I'm never sure if it's sitting securely until the car has been jacked up and you give it a push to make it's safely raised.

 

I wouldn't use them for anything other than wheel changes though.

Edited by MikeRotherham, 06 June 2022 - 02:32 PM.

[roblightbody]

The original jacking points are only dangerous and weak if the area around them is seriously corroded.

I've used them a couple of times on my present car and similarly on a previous mini without any problems.

The way the jack locates deeply into the hole in the sill is good leaving no room for doubt unlike several of my later daily drivers where the flange of the sill just sits in a groove into the the top of the jack and I'm never sure if it's sitting securely until the car has been jacked up and you give it a push to make it's safely raised.

I wouldn't use them for anything other than wheel changes though.

Agree with every word. Never had a problem with the original Jack when forced to use it.

[Kawh1]

Thanks for your comments about the scissor jack as it does seem a bit odd especially since it's not shown in the owners manual

[stuart bowes]

The original jacking points are only dangerous and weak if the area around them is seriously corroded.

 

given that the the most modern of the original minis was made more than 20years ago I'd say it's probably a fair bet that a substantial number of them are dangerous by this definition 

 

mine was no exception, it may have supported the car maybe one time but I'd be cringing the whole time just waiting for it to collapse

 

I see what you mean about the locating hole though, best one I've had was the 3 series which similarly goes into a hole, but at 90deg into the side of the car and far less chance of it wobbling

 

I'll probably just get a little scissor jack I suppose

Edited by stuart bowes, 06 June 2022 - 10:47 PM.