Page 1 of 3

Jack Stands - Advice Needed

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:21 pm
by alterego13
G'day Everyone,

So I am planning to buy some Jack Stands and looking at something pretty basic as I will mostly be using them once in a 6 months(oil change intervals)...maybe once when I decide to paint the calipers...

Has anyone had experience with the SCA ones listed here?
http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online-store/products/SCA-Car-Stands-Pin-Type-Pair-1200Kg.aspx?pid=203781#Description

Or if anyone can suggest something in a similar price range?

Thanks

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:23 pm
by AdamD
They'll do the job and they meet aussie standards. But you'll need a hydraulic jack as well to lift the car.

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:27 pm
by Fitter
trolley jacks FTW

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 9:35 pm
by alterego13
AdamD wrote:Theyll do the job and they meet aussie standards. But youll need a hydraulic jack as well to lift the car.


Ah..right! so the standard jack wont raise the car enough? or will it interfere with the location where the Jack Stands need to be located?
These stands have max operating height of 420mm from memory.

Sorry for the nooby questions...

Fitter wrote:trolley jacks FTW

Yeah..sponsor me ;)

Posted: Sun Apr 15, 2012 11:24 pm
by The X
Make sure the trolley jack you buy has enough height when full jacked up to allow the stands to get underneath the jack points.

There are two scenarios, where you'll only need to jack one side up only and place a stand only one the same side OR you need to jack the car up from the centre member and place the entire front or back in the air by placing stands on both left and right hand sides.

I have these http://www.supercheapauto.com.au/online ... escription

However the crappy 1400kg trolley jack I had, when placing the jack under the centre member jack point just underneath the engine bay and jacking up all the way, would not give me enough height/clearance to place the jack stands under the left AND right hand jack points which are just behind the two front wheels.
However if I just wanted to work on one side jacked up, I could easily jack close to the front jack point and place a jack stand as the clearance would be high enough.

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:16 am
by alterego13
Geez..Pete...That'll take me some 'concentration' to read and comprehend at the same time....

Now the questions that pops in my mind is....
Is it safe to put car on just 'two front' jack stands?
To change Engine oil..wont I need to jack the car up on 'all four' sides to have it 'level' ?
& Do I really need a 'Trolley Jack' or would the OEM jack suffice? to put car on jack stands?

Sorry for all the nooby questions.

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:32 am
by Dirtee
For the oil change part... With capped priced servicing nowadays and mitsubishi's warranties. Is it worth the hassle?

Painting the calipers only requires one corner a go, if you have heaps of time.
Ive had my old VN commodore up on all 4's with 4 stands... but there is always a risk when operating under a car. I never go under one unless its on a hoist.

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 12:57 am
by alterego13
Dirtee wrote:For the oil change part... With capped priced servicing nowadays and mitsubishis warranties. Is it worth the hassle?


True that...but I don't want to get my car in to the dealer every 7500 km and pay them extra for a non-preferable oil. I might be going OTT but this is my first new car and I plan to keep it for a long time(fingers crossed) and take care of it while I own it.

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 7:03 am
by Fitter
Other option is car ramps. Sold as a pair from Repco and super cheap... Drive front wheels up on them and chock the back wheels just for the extra safety measure

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:37 am
by alterego13
Thanks Fitter...but ramps are a no-no for me. I guess I'll just do some 'more' googling. :)
Thanks guys.
Ravi

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 10:17 am
by debonaire
Do you really need to jack the car up just to undo the sump plug?

I haven't tried (nor to I intend to), but on my last car I could do an oil change with it sitting on the ground, and the bodywork was lower than the Lancer if anything.

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 10:45 am
by alterego13
@Vaughan,
Yep..at least I feel the need to jack the car up and I'm not a big bloke..
I tried to get in without raising the car...I could get it but then I cant move.... so yes...the car needs to be jacked up to remove sump plug/filter...without scraping/scratching yourself.

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:00 am
by LZY_EYE
The sump plug is easy enough to get to on a stock height lancer.. The undertray however, is a pain IMO.