Section : General

Working under the car...methods???? 

Posted By : Jackie Forsythe, 15-Aug-2005, 10:32am

• Working under the car...methods???? 

  Posted By : William Davies, 15-Aug-2005, 10:44am

  Hi Jackie,
  Given a blank sheet of paper, I would design the garage with adequate height and install a four-post lift. These aren't as expensive as you might imagine and make working on the car so much easier than being in a pit.
  Pits are fine, but every one I've worked in has been a damp and smelly place, even if they didn't start out that way.
  I also understand that there are certain planning issues when building a garage with a pit, though it's not something I've been through myself.
  Cheers,
  Bill.

• Working under the car...methods???? 

  Posted By : Andy Cook, 15-Aug-2005, 12:05pm

  Jackie,
  
  I seem to remember an article in the Stag Register (Nick Vass's) section of the Courier about a year or so ago with some very good looking long ramps made out of sturdy steel. These were about the length of the car, a bit difficult to explain in words but they had an angled fromt and sort of pivoted as you drove the car on them. Looked like a good inovative solution to working under a car without going to the trouble of installing a pit and without the height required for a four post lift and also safer than separate ramps and axle stands. Well worth comnsidering if you know someone who could fabricate to a set to Nick's design.
  
  Me, I just use the old faithfull trolley jack and axle stands, the important thing being to ensure that the axle stands are really secure before attempting to go under the car. I do find that the Triumph Chassis makes a very safe axle stand support point as the chassis rails sit securely within the top of my axle stands as the axle stand top is wider then the chassis rails.

  • Working under the car...methods???? 

    Posted By : Paul Bennett, 15-Aug-2005, 10:36pm

    Hi ,
    
    I have just bought my first Spitfire, a 1978 1500. Its in lovely condition but just requires a clutch and couple of wheel bearings. Also I'm fitting a overdrive conversion using one of the available conversion kits.I have already started by removing the driveshafts and these are going to my local triumph specialist for new bearings. The question is can I do a gearbox swop with the car on ramps or axle stands? Also what is the proceedure?
    
    On a different note I do believe driving a spitfire is probably the most fun you can have with your clothes on!!!!!
    
    Ta,
    Paul.

    • Working under the car...methods???? 

      Posted By : Chris Taylor, 18-Aug-2005, 06:56pm

      I have always used standard drive on ramps if only working under one end of the car, or unless the wheels have to come off (eg suspension or drive shafts). A pair of ramps under one end and axle stands under the other is also very secure.
      You ask the question about changing the gearbox: apart from getting underneath to support the back of the engine and undo the bottom bellhousoing bolts, this can only be done from inside the car! The bellhousing is too wide to pass between the chassis rails, so gearbox has to come out upwards/backwards. Removing one or both seats help, and be aware an overdrive gearbox is a heavy brute!

  • Working under the car...methods???? 

    Posted By : Andy Cook, 16-Aug-2005, 00:47am

    Here you are, managed to find the article in the Courier by Nick Vass on his ingenious car ramps.
    
    This was in the August 2004 Courier under the Stag Register.
    
    Nick mentions that he has patented the design but would be happy to let memebers have a copy of the plans provising they are only building a set of the ramps for themselves and not selling them on. He also mentions that if there was enough interest he may be prepared to make a batch up....
    
    

     

    
    
    Working under the car...methods????

     

    • Working under the car...methods???? 

      Posted By : John Davies, 16-Aug-2005, 07:39am

      All,
      This may not apply to the 'Rocket Range' shown above, but when working with axle stands, and additional 'lifesaver' is a good idea, as even if you never go under a car held up only by a jack, axle stands can slip. Take off two wheels, pile them together and shove them under the car as near to where you are working as you can.
      John

    • Working under the car...methods???? 

      Posted By : Jackie Forsythe, 16-Aug-2005, 08:14am

      Andy, that's terrific, I would feel safe under that. I would definitely be interested if he made a batch. Is this chap contactable or do I write via the club?
      
      Lifesaver is a super idea too. Never forgotten what happened to my Dad..he had a craked breastbone...could have been very nasty

      • Working under the car...methods???? 

        Posted By : Andy Cook, 16-Aug-2005, 01:55pm

        Jackie,
        
        Nick's contact details are on this website on the Stag Register page, I'll do it as a link rather thna post his address and telephone number otherwise it will be available to non-members which is probably againstthe rules, wouldn't want to get a slapped wrist now would I!
        
        http://www.tssc.org.uk/officer.asp?uid=20021005091...
        
        Hope this helps.

        • Working under the car...methods???? 

          Posted By : Jackie Forsythe, 16-Aug-2005, 09:39pm

          Thanks Andy, have e mailed Nick.