Car jacks

[Mister_H]

Drumtochty, I suggest you take your own advice

@Drumtochty

Read the posters original question.

The OP wants a jack to fit under his MK3

I welcome argument, but you told me my jack does not fit under my MK3 when it clearly does. It also works with Mk1’s and Mk2’s as any Eastern Region member who has attended an ER Tech Day will confirm.

[Sim22]

@Mister H

@Sim22

 

Thanks for all the replies, ive just measured the gap between the gound and the front bumper and ive got 5 inches, so if Robbie and Mister H thinks that the clarks CTJ1250AB jack would work and do the job could you please let me know because i would like to know for sure before i buy one, thanks again

 

Our lowered MK3 on 17" wheels seems to be a little over 5 inches (but not much), so it could be tight. I know you are fairly local so you are welcome to come over and try my jack under your car if you wish.

There is always the option of using the scissor jack at the sill jacking position to lift the body the 1/2 inch or so if necessary and then using the trolley jack.

Thanks Mister H for you  kind offer, im on holiday in three weerks time so if im up your way i will pop in a see you one evening,  my mark 3 has a body kit on it thats why it’s only 5 inches from the ground at the front, it would be nice to see if it works before i buy one thanks again  Simon

[Phil_H]

Seems to be a good selection here.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dautomotive&field-keywords=low+profile+trolly+jack

[Drumtochty]

Thanks Mister H for you  kind offer, im on holiday in three weerks time so if im up your way i will pop in a see you one evening,  my mark 3 has a body kit on it thats why it’s only 5 inches from the ground at the front, it would be nice to see if it works before i buy one thanks again  Simon

 

Simon

With your body kit that is the best way to do it as you need to actually see the jack going in.

 

My 2008 Mk3 Sport has around over 7" of clearance so no problem getting under there.

You car may well be more of an issue.

[RichardFX]

@Phil H

Seems to be a good selection here.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Dautomotive&field-keywords=low+profile+trolly+jack

But don’t get the 2 Ton ‘Low Profile’ shape from SGS; I have one, mentioned earlier…

[Mozza]

Or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp-1uU7PDmU

[Sim22]

@Mozza

Or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp-1uU7PDmU

thanks for link but I have got no air compressor

[RichardFX]

@Sim22

@Mozza

Or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp-1uU7PDmU

thanks for link but I have got no air compressor

Hmm, I wonder if the tyre inflater in the NC boot might do the job?  But that bag stack is still very big.

[Keith_W]

@Mister H

@Drumtochty

@Mister H

@Drumtochty

I cannot find an aluminium one that does that at a reasonable weight and price with the ability to get under an MX5 that has been lowered or even standard height.

The Clarke CTJ1250AB exactly fits that description - as previously stated.

Oh No It Does Not

</pantomime mode off>

I really hate being called a liar, even in pantomime fashion.

So by way of proof …

… our lowered Mk3

 

And the Clarke CTJ1250AB trolley jack with the saddle under the front cross member

As you can see there is just enough room for a few short strokes of the handle and as the car starts to lift the strokes can get progressively longer

It is easier at the rear because the rear splitter is a little higher.

 

The Clarke jack works equally well with standard height and lowered Mk1’s and Mk2’s. For “ultra” lowered cars it is necessary to put the standard scissor jack under the sill jacking point to lift the body a few millimetres to get the Clarke jack under the front splitter, then it works just the same.

I know all this because I have done it with our Mk3 and seen it done with Mk1’s and Mk2’s many times at ER Tech Days.

Now do you believe me?

 

I certainly believe you, well, I can’t comment on MK3 but for both our lowered MK1 & MK2.5

the scissor jack/Clarke jack combination lifts both cars without any problems.

[Mister_H]

@Sim22

Thanks Mister H for you  kind offer, im on holiday in three weerks time so if im up your way i will pop in a see you one evening,  my mark 3 has a body kit on it thats why it’s only 5 inches from the ground at the front, it would be nice to see if it works before i buy one thanks again  Simon

 

Simon, PM sent

[binky]

@Sim22

@Mozza

Or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp-1uU7PDmU

thanks for link but I have got no air compressor

It would take HOW LONG ? to inflate with a footpump

[Drumtochty]

You would loose the will to live!!!

[Sim22]

@binky

@Sim22

@Mozza

Or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp-1uU7PDmU

thanks for link but I have got no air compressor

It would take HOW LONG ? to inflate with a footpump

  Also haven’t got a foot pump but I do have a bike pump would that do binky  lol now I would loose the will to live

[NeilB]

I have the Clarke CTJ1250AB trolley jack and have found it very useful on various cars.  I have just purchased an NC2 and was wondering where to place the trolley jack to jack up the front and rear of the vehicle rather than using the side jacking points mentioned in the handbook.

[Drumtochty]

Same as the Mk1 and Mk2.

At the rear, the diff.

At the front, the front crossmember.

If you are going to use the front crossmember, get some white paint and paint the centre of the crossmember where you want to lift it with the jack as it can be hard to see at times.

[binky]

@Sim22

@binky

@Sim22

@Mozza

Or

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp-1uU7PDmU

thanks for link but I have got no air compressor

It would take HOW LONG ? to inflate with a footpump

  Also haven’t got a foot pump but I do have a bike pump would that do binky  lol now I would loose the will to live

I need to lose some weight…pass me your bike pump

[Bungo]

I so wish I had read this thread before I purchased a halfords pack. 50 pounds forfor 2 axel stands ok, couple of wheel nut removers ok, under car wheel pad thing to lie on ok,  2 tonne jack which I am not convinced will last and doesn’t raise the car high enough to get to higher positons of the axle stands boo