Axle stands - any good on a Mk1?

Technical Area Routine Servicing
2

Hi guys, 

 

Pre-emting the arrival of my mk1… halfords have these on offer, 2 for £13. http://www.halfords.com/workshop-tools/garage-workshop/axle-stands/halfords-2-tonne-axle-stands

 

I already have 2 and they seem sturdy and good. So wondering whether to complete the set and have 4. My question is this - are they any good for a mk1 mx5?

 

See how the resting face has a slight curve in them? 

 

Where are the jacking points on a mk1 - will these be okay? Or could I buy some kind of rubber insert or just a bit of wood etc.

 

Cheers guys!

 

3

I place the axle stands in the pics below, on the double skinned chassis rails, at front and rear, depending which end you want up in the air. Jack on the diif to get the rear up and on the front cross member for front. Use a pice of wood between jack head and diff and I have (now) stuck some rubber to my axle stand heads to stop any possible sliding. There are jacking points on the sills but I rarely use them, only when changing a wheel. Make sure they are strong enough at the sill to jack on but place your axle stand on the chassis rail as said.

 

4

Thanks Mick.

I’ve just seen this

 

 

 

I take it the chassis rails are the less bold yellow circles highlighted inboard from the main jacking points?

 

 

Thanks!

5

^^^ Yes you are correct, place the axle stands at the points marked, or as shown in my pics above.

The pic below shows the points where the sill jacking points are. The pic shows the rear jack point on the sill, there’s  similar for the front of the car. Those two raised sections on the sill, behind are the points you jack on. I usually use a strip of wood placed behind that lip and jack on that, the lip can be a little weak if jacked on that, or you can get jack pads that fit on you trolley jack head and locate over the sill lip.

Incidently those two raised pieces on the sill have holes/slits behind them, they are sill drain holes. Give them a poke with a thin object, wire/plastic zip fastener, if blocked you may just get some water flow out. Google mx5 sill drain holes, you’ll get the idea.

 

6

thanks for that advice

7

I have those very same axle stands. My only gripe is they are quite tall, and it takes a good bit of jacking to get MK1 up high enough to sit on them. Stick some timber on the top or a rubber pad and the sill jacking points will sit on them fine.