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Scissor Jack


dj53

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Hi there, Just getting used to my Mk11 2012 Octavia, very pleased with it.

However I need to ask a question that I have seen before and I have read a bit about after a search of the forum. Mainly about jacking points it seems.

Anyway I am going to buy a spare wheel instead of sealant etc.No probs with the wheel but my friend has a new scissor jack from a Vauxhal Astra van.Looks like a standard scissor with a small square jack point with a groove in it. My Saab had same and the jack neatly fitted into a rubber block under the sill area.  So before I spend more money is it possible this jack will fit okay.I cant get under the car to see jack points yet as Its raining and I am in work.

From all the threads I read its confused me a little as to where to put the jack and how it fits.

Its for road emergency only as I have a trolley jack at home.

Many thanks for your patience and the search function here gave better results than the saab forum I was on. David

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The Octavia jack has to fit over the ridge that runs the length of the car, under the sill. 

 

There is a picture of an Octavia jack here that shows the profile at the top. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/191794675013?clk_rvr_id=981050741306&rmvSB=true

 

The top of the jack has to be able to pivot as the car goes up to compensate for the tilt of the vehicle. The factory jack does this. 

 

A5 Jacking point.pdf

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NB - Other aspects apart, the Octy might well be heavier than the Astra van, and so the jack might not be strong enough and so collapse!

 

Really? I would have thought the other way round. I don't see DisastraMan unloading the wagon when it comes to changing the wheel over.

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The Octavia has a support on the far side of the sill lip.

 

This is why the Octavia jack listed in post #2 and the offset 'U', the bulk of the weight of the car is supported on one side of the sill, not the side you look at it from, it you get down underneath the car you'll see the support is only at the points marked by the indents on the sill. This is why you should only ever use the scissor jack at the proper points.

 

You'll notice that one half of the 'U' shaped head is load bearing, the half facing you is simply there to stop the car from slipping off...

 

post-47983-0-60281300-1455297884_thumb.jpg

 

If the Vauxhall jack has a different shaped head I'd avoid it.

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Really? I would have thought the other way round. I don't see DisastraMan unloading the wagon when it comes to changing the wheel over.

Depends a lot on which Octy and Astra variants you are comparing, but relatively speaking the Octy range are quite big/heavy vehicles (I once saw mine parked next to an Audi A4 estate of the same vintage - and the Octy was longer!). Also, Astra vans tend not to be as heavy, unladened, than the equivalent hatchbacks because they often don't have all the creature comforts of the latter.

Obvious answer, after checking the answer to the last line in Silver1011's post, would be to compare the front/rear end weights of your Octy with ththat of your mate's Astra van! :D

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My works Astravan has a kerbweight of 1320kg. Our Octy is 1190kg.

 

Depends which models you are comparing.

 

But as the jacking points are different the argument is a bit pointless, best to buy the correct jack.

 

Lee

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My works Astravan has a kerbweight of 1320kg. Our Octy is 1190kg.

 

Depends which models you are comparing.

As I said! Also varies from generation to generation of each type of vehicle (generally, today, each new generation is bigger and heavier - just compare 10yr old Astra or Octy V a current Astra or Octy).

But as you say, the discussion is pointless because of the differences in the jacks.

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I presume the jack in the link kindly provided will do the job as 04-08.

Cheers

 

I don't see why not. Those are the years for the pre facelift Octavia. Most of the changes on the FL were cosmetic and weren't structural/chassis related.

 

Also, the jack looks to be in good condition. Any sort of damage would be a complete no-no.  :thumbup:

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Anyone know if a jack from a mk1 Octavia is good for a mk2 Octavia?  At the moment, I've got the can of gunk and a pump, but I rather get a proper spare (and I've still got the scissor jack from my mk1 milling around in the garage).

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Get the proper jack for your own safety, and to avoid damage to your car.

 

That is fine, if the jacks are different then I'll get the proper one - I'd never got as far as looking as to see if it even fitted (as I don't have a spare wheel to fit anyway)!

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FWIW, the standard wheellbrace is generally NBG if the nuts have been tightened up to the correct torque by the local tyre fitter using an airtool and the wheels have been on for any length of time - far too short to get any real leverage!

 

I see far too many cars on the side of the road, already jacked up, but the driver can go no further as he can't shift the wheel bolts, and so has had to call the breakdown service (and it happened to my stepson as well)! Also means getting stuck where you are for upto an hour - whereas I have, unfortunately, had a couple of  punctures recently, but changed the wheel and was away again in 10 mins because I've got one of the telescopic extending bar types (and another for my wife's Mk IV golf) with reversible sockets of different sizes on the ends, like these. They work a treat, but ours' cost under £4 each from the local Lidl during one of their periodic sales of car accessories!

 

Once you have used that to loosen the bolts, then the standard wheelbrace will do the rest - and the same in reverse when fitting the new wheel.

 

So - to get back to the OP's question - the correct jack is of little use when you then can't shift the damned bolts, but you should, of course, loosen the bolts before you jack the car up!

 

This type of brace has other uses - e.g. as an extending "T-bar" handle for use with ordinary 1/2" sockets when you need to shift tight bolts elsewhere on the vehicle. 

Edited by jeallen01
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