Jacking v70 properly , a lesson in itself ?

[mas]

LO all ,

Remembering I have only ever jacked a car up with a scissor jack and changed a wheel, thus the points are in front of you in Black and White

I have my trolley jack but see that it hads a castle like top. Looking to jack the front of the V70 up and put two 'axle stands in place'
( to do front brakes) I looked under the car and the only solid piece of car I see is the cross member which had a couple of holes which are recessed near the centre. There is nowhere for the 'castle top' on the trolley jack to fit in any little slots so the whole weight (and grip) of the car would be on the top lips of the 'ramparts' and that didn't look right to me. Also the jack seems to try and come foreward as i lift.

First question, is this the corrct place to jack the front up please and do you as i have red on the web put a piece of rubber or similar on the top of our trolley jack for grip or is this not necessary.

2nd part, I always assumed 'axle stands' are just that but on looking under the car of course there isn't anything as solid as a 'front axle' and reading on the web I see people now call them 'jack stands'

Where do 'you' put the jack stands on your V70 please, Google reveals some very strange and varied answers.

Not a great start for my first fixing session I know.

Regards Mas

[Tomcat]

Provided you can get the jack under the front of the car then jacking it on the cross member is fine, the car may move a little as you jack it up but provided the wheels on the jack stay firmly on the ground and it doesn't start to tip it's ok. I usually put my jack stands where the track control arms go into the cross member, usually I lower the car down onto the stands but don't let the jack all the way off, that way if one of the stand does slip you've still got the jack there to support the weight of the car.

[mas]

I have taken the castle bit off . Also I think I will try and make a rubber cup though from a hockey puk seems popular as it all looks a bit 'slippey'. I'm assuming you mean actually on the ends of the cross member hopefully I'll understand exactly where you are saying when I look again Ta

Mas

[Tomcat]

I wouldn't try jacking the car up without the castleated part as otherwise you're just jacking up on the flat part of the jack and that will have no grip. If your worried then stick a flat piece of wood between the jack and the cross member. It's all down to experience at the end of the day, if your not sure or you don't feel safe then don't go under the car, it's your safety that counts.

[LiamT4]

Off topic, but are you still looking for an auto t4?

This has been on for a few months, but has come down £300 in price

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classifi...ge/1?logcode=p

[mas]

LO m8ee , I am aware of that car. I have as you say seen it at £1895 or 1995 ish and thought it was overpriced. Folk excpect 'juicy' cars cheep these days don't they. At the minute I keep thinking to myself do I bother with a fun car that will need its own full no claims ( dump the T5 and use it on the T5 T4) or do I get a classic car so I can have another classic policy ( which I only pay 120 per year for) and keep the T5.

I have 'seriously' consideed a tade policy of late so I can change cars when I want BUT the lack of windscreen cover when living down gritty country lanes worries me a lot.

Bit of a long answer sorry

Mas

[JelT5]

I wouldn't try jacking the car up without the castleated part as otherwise you're just jacking up on the flat part of the jack and that will have no grip. If your worried then stick a flat piece of wood between the jack and the cross member. It's all down to experience at the end of the day, if your not sure or you don't feel safe then don't go under the car, it's your safety that counts.

What he said!
Safety is of primary importance...these ovlovs do weigh a bit and it's definitely not good practice to support them with your ribcage or any limbs!

[mas]

To be fair , I think I made it very obvious that

1) I'm not stupid enough to get under a car not properly supported.
2) I'm not actually looking to get under the car at this stage , just to change the pads.
3) I am though very happy to get practical tips about how to do anything !

Regards

Mas

[mightywolf]

I usually put my axle stands on the rear of the sub frame at either side. I usually jack it from the sub frame aswell. If I'm jacking up the whole front I just put it on the front cross piece of the subframe, jack it and then get the axle stands on the rear of the subframe at either side. Like tomcat said aswell I leave the jack there unless its in the way but make sure the car is lowered on to the axle stands.