Jacking up the whole car

[Trevor /chedder]

Hi all,I've done this a few times but would like to confirm the safest way.
The way I've been doing it
Rear jacked up first on diff, then secured with jack stands on the rear support pads.
Then , taking turns to lift the car
Move from side to side jacking and placing jack stands on the front stand pads.
Then back to rear and raise a bit more on the diff.then secure with stands.
Also throw wheels under and keep the jack in the mix

Never feels completely safe, going up as the small tilts are concerning!

Please educate me, so I don't die!

 

[AntStark]

I think once up that is as good as you are going to get without a ramp .. it is a bit nerve racking though I must agree

 

[IainP]

I tend to jack the front from the crossmember until both wheels are clear of the ground, support on stands. Then jack the diff to whatever height and support on stands. The front can then go to whatever height required.
I do it that way round as there’s more clearance that way. If I raise the rear first there’s not enough access at the front.
My drive is monoblock, so I put a board under the jack for the second/third/fourth lift. That way the jack will always move and keep the stands flat. I can get right up to full lift on the stands safely and securely.

 

[Trevor /chedder]

I tend to jack the front from the crossmember until both wheels are clear of the ground, support on stands. Then jack the diff to whatever height and support on stands. The front can then go to whatever height required.
I do it that way round as there’s more clearance that way. If I raise the rear first there’s not enough access at the front.
My drive is monoblock, so I put a board under the jack for the second/third/fourth lift. That way the jack will always move and keep the stands flat. I can get right up to full lift on the stands safely and securely.

Thanks Iain

 

[IanA]

I changed the clutch on my 733i (long ago and far away) using steel ramps and axle stands on a gravel drive. The hardest part was getting a 2ton car up in the air.

More recently, having found that modern cars don't have clearance under their front and rear valances for my steel ramps; I bought a "garden centre" railway sleeper.

I sawed it in two as shown in the pics and drilled holes to drop in bolts to locate the smaller on top of the larger.

Improvements- could staple some chicken wire onto the slopes to guarantee anti-slip although I've never had a problem and...

end stops!

 

[Pond]

I have never lifted a complete car, as am too scared!
I have four axle stands and a big (3 tonne) trolley jack, but have never used the stands as I don't trust them.

One thing I do is tap a piece of 2" x 2" timber into the open 'jaws' of my trolley jack every time I use it, so if the hydraulics give way it bites into the timber and can't drop. It does work.

I have also done some 'trials' with various trolley jacks in the past. I jack one corner of the car up and leave the jack on there for days to see if it drops. None ever have TBH, but still wouldn't trust them!