Have managed to bend the rim of my sill by jacking it up (have bent it back with some molegrips and as paint etc is flaking am etch priming etc).

I am used to jacking up on the sill and if doing the rear supporting on axle stands on the rear axle at the back - if doing the front, axle stands at the reinforced bits on the floorpan either side at the front.

I am guessing it is probably better to jack underneath the suspension struts at the rear but can't see anywhere obvious that's good to jack up at the front.

Edited 6 December, 200817 yr by anewman

Subframe usually, not sure on a Favorit though I'm afraid.

Sills are fine to jack on [assuming no rot] but use a piece of wood to soften and spread the load. Needs to be a good bit of wood that doesn't split though.

aren't there jacking points marked like on the Felicia?

There are markings on the sill in the form of two bumps between which you're supposed to use the supplied scissor jack, which is where I managed to bend the sill. Will have to buy myself a block of wood and cut in a slot for the sill and some cut outs on the bottom for my trolley jack so it doesn't slip off.

There is a big dent on the sill in front of the thin bit on the bit I managed to bend the thin bit, but think it was there before I touched anything. Have banged relatively hard on it to see if there's any rot, seems fine although I'm no MOT tester

There's some round bits on the floor pan - not sure if those are markings for a jacking point - I'd guess not, as it doesn't look like it's reinforced.

MOT testers just tap unless they see serioyus rot.

I cant remember offhand where my mechanic jacks the car but that could be the wine I drank earlier!!!!

I cant remember offhand where my mechanic jacks the car

Probably somewhere unsuitable. Many of them seem to. The live axle of my Fav, for instance, even has a sticker on it warning against using it as a jacking point, but the last tyre place I went to cheerfully stuck the jack under there. And to be fair it did no damage. I usually stick my trolley jack under the lower strut mounting, front and rear - gets the wheel off the road quickly and you can be sure it's load-bearing. Once the car is up at the front, axle stands go under the rear mounting bush for the suspension arm-wing-thingy (sorry, it's too late at night for correct terminology). Again, guaranteed load-bearing, and a suitable shape for the top of an axle stand. Can't remember where I support the back of the car, I almost never seem to need to jack it up.

I never use sills to jack any car unless I have to and the car is obviously nearly new - I grew up with cars that were held together by rust!

I never use sills to jack any car unless I have to and the car is obviously nearly new - I grew up with cars that were held together by rust!

Yep I just seem to be taking the paint and that plastic sealing stuff off and the shiny metal is getting surface rust in places. Will try for front strut lower mount next time, at least my sill won't bend and my repaint job won't crack

Probably somewhere unsuitable. Many of them seem to. The live axle of my Fav, for instance, even has a sticker on it warning against using it as a jacking point, but the last tyre place I went to cheerfully stuck the jack under there. And to be fair it did no damage. I usually stick my trolley jack under the lower strut mounting, front and rear - gets the wheel off the road quickly and you can be sure it's load-bearing. Once the car is up at the front, axle stands go under the rear mounting bush for the suspension arm-wing-thingy (sorry, it's too late at night for correct terminology). Again, guaranteed load-bearing, and a suitable shape for the top of an axle stand. Can't remember where I support the back of the car, I almost never seem to need to jack it up.

I never use sills to jack any car unless I have to and the car is obviously nearly new - I grew up with cars that were held together by rust!

Remember rust is lighter than carbon fibre!!!!

I usually stick my trolley jack under the lower strut mounting, front and rear - gets the wheel off the road quickly and you can be sure it's load-bearing.

A problem here. The front struts have the driveshafts directly beneath them. Is it ok to jack on the suspension arm wing?

A problem here. The front struts have the driveshafts directly beneath them. Is it ok to jack on the suspension arm wing?

yeah, it's ok to jack right under the ball joint and not in the middle of the arm, but tbh it's not possible with the wheel on anyway....

also don't jack it up on the middle of the subframe becasue it will bend like a drinking straw and poss damage the steering rack

I have a crazy idea. Have sawn one side a spare new bump stop. Idea is to put this bit around the sill then putting the trolley jack underneath. I am guessing bump stops are strong, relatively soft, and resistant to splitting.

Have also fashioned a bigger block of wood but don't seem to have much luck with wood on the sills (probably need better wood).

Guess the other option is to buy some better axle stands that will fit the rear wishbone pivot bush thing and jack on the reinforced bit of the floor pan with a block of wood where I usually put the stands.

another good choice is polyurethane blocks, i bought a piece about 6" square for that exact purpose, you can just cut a slot in it to fit over the sill using a hacksaw

I go with the wood and sill idea, although the rubber proposal seems a good one.

Steve

I dare say my bump stop with one side sawn through idea is my best idea yet. Didn't split or slip, and no more damage to the sills than I've already caused by using either the jack on it's own or with a piece of wood. For reference the bump stop type was the one found on the front shocks of the favorit and felicia, and I accept no responsibility for deaths or injuries

Sounds good - and if you've got another knocking about, throw it in my direction

Steve

Sounds good - and if you've got another knocking about, throw it in my direction

These are the one's I used (ended up with a spare as one had a fault, they sent me two and asked me to return the faulty one). These might do the job too.

Ok I know this is an old thread, but I have a question you lot can probably answer.... So I've just bought some trolley jacks and axle stands because the rear sections of my sills creak (and feel a bit dodgy) too much for my liking to.use the scissor jack. Where am.I supposed to firstly use the trolley jacks to lift the back, and secondly where do.J then position the axle stands? Thank you