- My model of MX-5 is: __NC Roadster
- I’m based near: __Suffolk
- I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: __ Best jacking points
I’ve read lots of posts on this forum and other sites about where is best to mount the jack. Some of it is conflicting and I can’t find anything definitive so I’m hoping a picture might help.
Does anyone have any experience of using the jacking points shown in the image below? The yellow circle shows where a trolley jack might go and the red cirles indicate where axle stands might go.
I’m planning on an oil service this weekend.
Cheers guys.
The yellow circle is slightly too far forwards, it’s on the plastic under tray. It needs to go on the lump on the metal subframe just behind where it is. I’d put the axle stands under the sills where the ramp arms are in that photo, same place as the emergency jack location.
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Hi Rob, just as you were posting I realised I’d put the circle in the wrong place LOL. Thanks though.
My axle stands don’t have the groove for the sill which is why I thought it better to go someplace flat. I’ve read some posts about sills bending and paint cracking when doing this.
You can get rubber axle stand pads on eBay for just over a fiver if it’s of any use.
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You do not need a ‘groove’. A rubber puck or a strong piece of wood as a ‘cushion’ is all that is needed.
If you bend any thing then your sill is completely rotten plus you will notice that main dealers and independents just use the plain pads on their lifting equipment. If it is good enough for them then ------.
You won’t get a normal trolley jack far enough under the car to get it to jack on that meaty metal chassis part rear of the plastic cover that Robbie mentions. You need a low profile jack with a long handle, a piddly DIY version such as Halfords sell won’t do it.
My method is a 2 part operation but necessary and safe, I’m working on the driveway.
Jack on the front OS sill jacking point and place the axle stands on the cross brace ends where the 3 bolts are. Loosen the oil sump plug and drain the oil. Leave the container under there (if it’s low like a plastic wash bowl) and remove the axle stand and lower the car. Now do the same on the front NS, this time to get at the oil filter, placing axle stand in the same place and jacking on the sill jack point. You’ll need to remove the jack from the sill point because you need to get under at that position to get at the filter. Good luck with getting that off can be tight and you’ll most likely get oil down your arm.
Replace with a new filter, clean up, lower the car.
Return to the OS of the car, jack in the same way, replace the drain plug, new washer etc. lower car fill up with 4 litres of your finest 5w 30, check then double check once it’s settled in the sump and dribble a little more oil in up to the level.
Yes it’s a faff but safe, if you don’t fancy it, I never did cause I’m old, but still did it, get it on a ramp and let someone else do it.
BTW I placed thick rubber pads (ex conveyor belt rubber) on the axle stand heads, same on the jack head, stops slippage.
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It was tight but I managed to get my lowly Halfords trolley jack under the front and onto the correct lifting point. Then slid axle stands under the normal jacking points. Worked perfectly.
Thanks to everyone for your helpful advice.
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I used these 2.5ton-3ton 12 volt battery bank operated jacks for the past 10 years now real handy for low cars I also use them now on my new ramps to jack them up another 8-10 inchers if need be … 
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