Jacking up

[mr_cool]

Going to get round to doing my brakes tommorow. I have the standard wheel jack and axle stands. Where is the safest place to put the axle stands without any damage. I did a search but thought I would ask again to be certain.

Cheers

 

[Robb1990]

on the jacking points! lol there's a strip of metal running under the sills there should be a notch missing or an arrow or something, jack as close to that as poss. the widow maker should have a groove in it to fit around the strip along the sill. Axel stand should be easy to place as the standard jacks are small, just get the stand as close to the jack as poss.

 

[mr_cool]

Cheers but oncejcked up where is the best place for the axle stand?

 

[matt110tdi]

just use the jacking point. I jack up the front using a trolley jack under the subframe bolts (i have to use the standard jack first though to get the clearance), i then use the axle stand on the sill jacking point. never had a problem with it.

 

[Robb1990]

that method will work fine, but im assuming the OP hasnt got a trolley jack? just the cars widow maker windup jobbie? if so, you can usually just have enough clearance to get both on the jack point as the jack is thin.

Put the jack to the left of the notch, and the axel stand to the right of the notch closest the wheel (working on o/s/f or n/s/r)

other method is to use the jacking point for the jack, then place the axel stand under the subframe/wishbone mount/bolt

 

[ADAM_84]

would advise jacking it up with the standard jack and placing the axle stands under the sub frame bolts thats how i do mine and always feels nice and secure. only problem i have is that my axle stands on the shortest setting still don't make it under so i have to put the jack on two bricks and jack it up so i can get the height. Would advise buying a proper hydraulic jack and putting something on top of it so when you jack it up on the sills you don't damage them as the standard jack might not fit correctly if the sills all mis-shapen. Don't put them on the metal beam that looks strong but in actual fact isn't its to do with the floor i think but won't take the wieght of the car. How ever you do it just make sure its on safely (thats my disclaimer lol)

 

[Neg.]

Im with Robb1990. Put the axel stand under the subframe bolts. Nice and strong and wont move an inch

 

[mr_cool]

Where are the subframe bolts on the rear?

 

[vwbassett]

There arent any as it doesnt have one lol, i tend to place my axel stands on the rear axel or the jacking point on the sill. Some say you shouldnt do this(on the axle) but i cant see why not as the axle holds the wheels on so is always taking the stress of the car anyway.
Please dont use a VAG factory jack - many stories of damaged cars, even one being my own. For what its worth get a cheap trolley jack as there so much safer when coupled with axle stands.
Adam

 

[mr_cool]

Under these bolts here on the rear is that strong with the axle stand + block of wood?

 

[mr_cool]

Could any damage have been done supporting the rear on those bolts?

 

[gav_FR]

I've been searching the forum and can't find any decent pictures of jacking points.

Is it safe to jack the rear up using the bolts shown in the picture above that mr_cool posted?

I have been crawling under my car today looking for suitable jacking / axle stand points and I really don't know where is safe

I've read on here that the jacking points on the sills are best, but I think my trolley jack may damage the sill points. So it looks like the sub-frame is the better option, but being a bit of a n00b I don't really know where to jack.

Does anyone have any pictures showing the best places, both front and rear, for jacking and axle stands?

Any help would be much appreciated.

 

[TimJK]

Jacking a car is stupidly simple, jack it on any strong part, ie the sills, sub frame bolts, wishbones, rear beam etc etc... basically you can pretty much tell by how much weight is already on it, eg the subframe holds the steering rack, engine mounts etc so can obviously take alot of weight and the sills are where a garage will jack it, we used rubber blocks on flat ramps on each corner using the sills.

 

[Phillc]

Dont use a trolly jack on the sill jacking points as the lip will bend over, the stock jack has a slot the sil lip fits in so wont bend.

 

[TimJK]

The sill is strong enough to be used to jack on but if your not sure then place a bit or rubber on the jack.

 

[wisejason]

I agree with Pillc, I would only ever use the jack from the boot.

Drive the car onto some bricks or a block of wood it getting the trolly jack in is a bit tight.

 

[TimJK]

Oh no i have always used a trolley jack if not at work, those jacks are only there for changing wheels if in desperate need, you cannot work on a car on one.

 

[wisejason]

... I mean to only get the car up in the first place. I'd only ever work on a car that is on stands or ramps.

Stands are so cheap these days, the local JTF has them at £5+VAT.

 

[TimJK]

... I mean to only get the car up in the first place. I'd only ever work on a car that is on stands or ramps.

Stands are so cheap these days, the local JTF has them at £5+VAT.

Was about to say lol

Yeah i think a few years back i got a 2ton trolley jack and axle stands for about £20.
But if my car needs to be in the air I tend to use the ramps at work.

 

[gav_FR]

I got some axle stands from Argos for £12 or so with two wheel chocks which are quite handy. I also got this trolley jack from Tesco http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.100-3886.aspx which just fits under the side of my Leon perfectly!

It looks like jacking on the sills then is only safe if the spare wheel jack is used or if you have some kind of rubber pad to stop the lip getting deformed.

I will try jacking on the subframe then if needed, but I do have some small ramps that are probably the best option unless I actually want to take a wheel off.