As well as using axle stands, I also slide the wheels under the car once I've removed them.

On the basis that they'd limit how far the car could fall if it came off the jack/stands and be less likely to crush me, yet wouldn't distort the floorpan too much.

I hate working under cars, especially if it's something where I have to wriggle a long way under to get to.

yep and if it does fall you have an alloy(s) damaged....say £150+ each....lumps of wood is currently cheaper.

If you are going to use a jack other than the supplied scissor (OEM) jack, then you need to ensure that whatever you use mirrors the profile of the supplied OEM jack as closely as possible.

If you look closely at the OEM jack you will see that the load bearing part is the small flat area alongside the "u" shaped section that the seam slots into. The load bearing part is slightly higher than the "u" shaped section which does not carry any load but locates the jack in the right position and prevents it slipping as well as protecting the seam. The OEM jack actually bears on the strengthened flat area on the floor pan of the car.

When I had my Yeti, I made a pad from a hardened rubberised material that fitted under the car in the same way as the OEM jack as well as sitting correctly on the trolley jack.

Others have also used inflatable air bags similar to those used at tyre fitting establishments but are inflated by the car's exhaust rather than compressors. It should be noted that these operate at low pressure so are safe to use.

 

Exactly!   You are not supposed to be jacking on the sill seam but just behind it on the flat area.  I have made wooden pads with positioning slots for the sill and flat parts for the support areas for my 2 trolley jacks.

The problem still is that there are no obvious areas where stands can be placed without damaging the floor pan or suspension.  That is why I use 2 trolley jacks for safety.

 

Norry

Exactly!   You are not supposed to be jacking on the sill seam but just behind it on the flat area.  I have made wooden pads with positioning slots for the sill and flat parts for the support areas for my 2 trolley jacks.

The problem still is that there are no obvious areas where stands can be placed without damaging the floor pan or suspension.  That is why I use 2 trolley jacks for safety.

 

Norry

 

Dead right  :clap:

Jacking under the seam might be ok, but there is a risk of damage to the protective coating, but more seriously collapse of the seam flange itself. The load appears to be taken on the floor pan entirely at the folded point of the seam and the floor.

 

I use the front subframe, and the flat area in front of the rear trailing arm, which looks pretty well reinforced.