18 replies to this topic

[katanajim]

Quick one (hopefully) anyone out there use standard drive-on car ramps instead of a trolley jack (which to be honest is a pain to get under the car in the first place, position, lift, then try and swap for an axle stand and then repeat on the other side).

I'm looking to lift the front end / entire car for engine work (gearbox steadies) and undersealing.

I'm thinking of buying a pair of car ramps but wondered whether anyone had any positive / negative experience using these? (like crushing the exhaust tailpipe going up the ramp?) my mini's not lowered but thought i would check just in case.

Thanks in advance

Jim (Newbie)

71 Special / Bitsa (running 91 1275 gear)

[Tom Booth]

like crushing the exhaust tailpipe going up the ramp?) my mini's not lowered but thought i would check just in case.
[/quote]

Mines lowered by a hell of alot, and I have never had a problem with my exhaust on the floor when using ramps (Y)

[ginigwunkle]

i have a set of home made ramps, made from thick timber, raises the car over a foot in the air so you can get under and work very easily....

use it for engine and underneath work

still need jack and axle stands for wheel removal and such like though!

[Guess-Works.com]

the only issue you may have is getting a trolley jack with a big enough reach...

If you think about it, on ramps the car is already 8 inches to a foot off the ground, with the suspension loaded, you need to raise the car even more to withdraw the ramps ( if you want to ) to replace with axle stands.

[nicksuth]

Yeh, I use ramps (10" high) and find them useful for getting the car quickly up in the air to get underneath.
It's then easier to get the trolley jack under and lift on to axle stands if you need to work on the front corners (suspension, hubs, steering joints etc.)
My MPi Cooper S is lowered but do not have any problems with exhaust catching the ground.

The only things to watch out with ramps is to make sure their centred up with your wheels before you drive up and watch out for one of them moving (being pushed forward) when going up?

Oh, and don't forget the handbrake and double up with back wheel chocks before you go underneath!!!

[katanajim]

i have a set of home made ramps, made from thick timber, raises the car over a foot in the air so you can get under and work very easily....

use it for engine and underneath work

still need jack and axle stands for wheel removal and such like though!

Wooden???!!!!! any chance you could post a picture?

[minimender]

Heres a tip when using ramps on tarmac, which I have to do.
Bend the four corners of the base downwards a bit and then this bit digs into the tarmac when you drive up them and they dont slip.

[mike.]

Heres a tip when using ramps on tarmac, which I have to do.
Bend the four corners of the base downwards a bit and then this bit digs into the tarmac when you drive up them and they dont slip.

Some strips of old carpet under them have the same effect

[minimender]

Heres a tip when using ramps on tarmac, which I have to do.
Bend the four corners of the base downwards a bit and then this bit digs into the tarmac when you drive up them and they dont slip.

Some strips of old carpet under them have the same effect

All our old carpet is in the house

[Chris_9866]

Yes would recomend them, they are a lot quicker and easer than jacking, so long as your clutch control is good you should not have a problem

[Bungle]

i use them and have no problems geting on and off them

but they can slip driving up

[mike49]

i slide halfway down the road the last time i tried using them... so without doubt, need something good to stop em slipping!

[minimender]

i slide halfway down the road the last time i tried using them... so without doubt, need something good to stop em slipping!

Like I said, bend the four corners down a bit so it digs in the tarmac.

[Bevan]

I have a set, got em for about £20 I think. I use it all the time when working on the bottom engine. I also fitted my whole exhaust system using the ramps. My mini is lowered and never had a problem with hitting anything. Good clutch controll is a must for the step type ramps.

[Sleepy Stu]

Car ramps are so much more useful if your doing a lot of work under the car. If been using them all through my rebuild. The engine doesnt run so usually i get someone to help me just push/pull the mini up on to them.

However on the occasions that im on my own if its the front wheels going up i have managed to get it up on my own by putting a brick behind one of the rear wheels give it a shove and move the brick. Then slowly but surely i got it up by myself. Saying that though there is no interior on my mini so it does weigh a bit less at the moment.