What do you DIY Mechanics/ Mechanics use and what would you advise I am planning to do basic stuff on my car.

Thanks in advance

Axle stands are a must and decent trolley jack, got a set of ramps but cant get my VRS on them, only worth it if youv'e not lowered your car.

Theres a set consisting of trolley jack, axle stands and chucks @ screwfix for £3x.xx IIRC I bought mine for £32.. but may have gone up now..

Thanks for the replies...I have been checking out the AUTO EXPRESS website and they have recommended some axle stands, trolley jacks and the other thing that I need a torque wrench.

Exactly where would you position the axle stands one of my friends mechanics mentioned in line with the jacking point (not the thin section of metal) but the 'base' of the car a few cms in from there (does that make any sense?)

Edited 18 September, 201015 yr by Aaquil

When working on the front........ Where i normally work i put the stands under where the rear console bushes are....... its one of the load baring points for the car and the car is pretty stable with them there too

Depends on the job.

I have a trolley jack and stands.

I also have a pair of ramps but I had to make some wooden inserts to enable me to drive onto the ramps.

Trolley jack and axle stands every time, if you only buy ramps then how will you remove the wheels to do brakes etc?

Ramps are useful, but be careful they don't slip when you drive up them!!

Under the subframe is usually a pretty good place for axle stands as you will probably be jacking up on the sill, remember to get the jack securely on the lip of the sill. If you ca use a block of wood or there was a good tip of using a modified hockey puck that fits on the lip this will prevent damage.

I appreciate the replies...Rear console bushes got a picture? Can you be a bit more descriptive?

I use both!

I have a set of ramps with extensions so I can drive up them with being so low. Like these. I find them much more stable when working under the car.

Alternatively I have trolley jack and axle stands for working on brakes, changing wheels, etc.. as there is no other way

I found that axle stands on my car are useless unless using two, one front, one back. I am running coilovers at more or less standard ride height, but due to the reduced suspension travel, as as soon as I jack up the car so the front wheel is more than 5cm off the ground, the rear has also lifted. Be aware of this if you go down the coilover route. As for tools, I have found Argos to provide decent enough tools for most home mechanical jobs. My torque wrench, axle stands and trolley jack are all from there and are still going strong after 10 years.

Both. Ramps make it easy to do fluid changes.

Jack with axle stands better for wheels,brakes.suspension work.

Edited 19 September, 201015 yr by goonybird

Thanks for the replies...those ramps look good and secure...maybe I'll get both? Just seems like the ramps are more secure.

What is the subframe? Thank you for taking the time to reply.

Edited 19 September, 201015 yr by Aaquil

Try Machine Mart,they have decent quality tackle.

Thanks...I am likely to get the Clarke Axle stands from there that they tested in 'Auto Express' magazine and knowing me when I get there I will just get all of the stuff from there!!

Finally got the axle stands and trolley jack from 'Machine Mart'. It was a mission finding the place...YESTERDAY put the postcode into my rather old Tom Tom the place was meant to be on Manchester Road, Altrincham I ended up in Warrington!!! So I thought I would try it again today did not bother with the postcode and found it fine!

I also got hold of some heavy duty looking 'Chocks' and some safety specs to stop getting dust etc. in my eyes.

Done the Diesel geek quickshift...next week (weather permitting) dog bone mount bushes upgrade...

Edited 26 September, 201015 yr by Aaquil

I also got hold of some heavy duty looking 'Chocks' and some safety specs to stop getting dust etc. in my eyes.

I just use a couple of old bricks as chocks. me = cheap

goggles are a good idea though, I got some rust in my eyes after working on the GF's car and ended up with scaring on the inside of my eyelids (and I can't wear contact lenses anymore :'( )

That sounds really bad I hope she appreciated you for that...I look a right geek with my glasses on so I will defo wear the safety specs!

Typical just looked on a tuners website and you ca buy an uprated ECS dogbone unit that just bolts in place of the stock one I will be cursing the fact that I just bought the bushes next week!!! I guess the experience will do me good.

That sounds really bad I hope she appreciated you for that...I look a right geek with my glasses on so I will defo wear the safety specs!

Ha, but unfortunately not. I just got "I told you you to wear something" instead. I went for laser surgery in the end, as I looked well dodgy in my old glasses!

oh, I should say GF = ex-gf

Typical just looked on a tuners website and you ca buy an uprated ECS dogbone unit that just bolts in place of the stock one I will be cursing the fact that I just bought the bushes next week!!! I guess the experience will do me good.

Easy job if your just changing the 2 rectangular shaped bushes, the small round one can be a bit of a PITA, did mine at the brother-in-laws has he has a vice in his garage.

Axle stands are a must and decent trolley jack, got a set of ramps but cant get my VRS on them, only worth it if youv'e not lowered your car.

I find ramps much better for general mechanic stuff if not touching brakes or wheels or suspension, as they are quicker to use, get the car up generally higher and safer than trolley jack and axles stands, but as you mentioned for lowered car as mine is, you need a set of wooden blocks like Rob uses to allow the bumper to clear the ramps.

I replaced the exhaust downpipe using ramps and was really easy to move around under the car.

Edited 27 September, 201015 yr by Bowders1

Exactly where would you position the axle stands one of my friends mechanics mentioned in line with the jacking point (not the thin section of metal) but the 'base' of the car a few cms in from there (does that make any sense?)

Here you are: http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/175461-official-vehicle-jacking-points/

Thanks for that so how to get the car up to get axle stands there...or do you have to do one side at a time?

Thanks for that so how to get the car up to get axle stands there...or do you have to do one side at a time?

One side at a time is the safe bet here. There is not really a good place that you can jack the car up from underneath at a centre point.