Can you use four 4' axle stands safely?

Hi all, I use a scizzor lift for regular maintenance of my cars, and it can lift the vehicle around 4 feet. I wanted to know if it would be safe to use four of these stands (see link below), lower the car onto them, and then work safely underneath. This would allow access for exhaust work, etc. I would lower the car onto the stands and then roll the lift out of the way.

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Thanks for any advice.

-Dean

Reply to
DeanB
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depends on the surface. if it is level, strong concrete then it would be alright for most jobs if used with some common sense. The lower the setting the safer it would be. Most stuff can be done with the car raised by just a foot or so, some exhausts need the most room underneath.

Mrcheerful

Reply to
Mrcheerful

It would be on flat concrete inside a garage. The concrete seems sound.

Reply to
DeanB

DeanB gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

The key would be how you're lifting/lowering the car - if it's being done evenly, it'd be safe. If you're doing it unevenly - trolley jack, say - I'd be standing somewhere well out the way...

Reply to
Adrian

It will be lowed down evenly from a scizzor jack, as mentioned. I'm only worried about the whole thing tipping over onto me. Not sure if this is a typical use of stands. What else are 4' stands for? (Jeeps with 80" tires? lol)

Reply to
DeanB

I've done it before, but only with a Mini which doesn't weigh much.

Or older Renault 5s with torsion bar suspension. You keep jacking the car up for miles and the wheels just stay on the ground.

For exhaust work you might be better off with those drive up ramps. They get the car up much higher because it's still on its wheels on the ramp.

Reply to
Ben C

DeanB gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

Trouble is, you jack one end up, shove the ramps under, jack out - then over to the other end and start jacking... You're not putting the load onto the front stands evenly. There'll inevitably be a lateral component as well as the vertical.

Mmm. Bear in mind that if it's four foot up, it's going to go quite a way when the stands fall over. And it may not be entirely predictable as to which direction.

Sod that.

Get a set of drive-on ramps.

Reply to
Adrian

Is the *scizzor lift* mobile ? I cant see why you would need to raise and place numerous vehicles?

Reply to
Fred

It will be lowed down evenly from a scizzor jack, as mentioned. I'm only worried about the whole thing tipping over onto me. Not sure if this is a typical use of stands. What else are 4' stands for? (Jeeps with 80" tires? lol)

You have a strong wiff of American words about you, the website you spammed is also in the US. Is there a connection? Can I sell you some TYRES?

Reply to
Fred

On Sep 14, 7:37=A0pm, "Fred"

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I'm British, but living in the USA:)

Reply to
DeanB

Jack the front to 2', put stand under at that height then do the same for the back so the whole car is a 2', then jack the front to the full

4', then the same at the back?
Reply to
Abo

You'll be wanting one of those newfangled trolley jacks with wheels on.

Reply to
Duncan Wood

Abo,

Not sure why everyone is tell me how to lift the vehicle!?!? I have a scizzor-jack car lift that lifts the whole car up 4 feet. I just want to get to the middle underside sometimes so I need to lower the lift down and move it out of the way.

Reply to
DeanB

DeanB gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying:

I suspect there's a little bit of confusion over your original description of a "scizzor lift" - with some people taking that to be some kind of big scissor jack, rather than a whole car lift.

Reply to
Adrian

If I were you, I'd put the stands in place, lower the scissor lift an inch or two until just clear of the car, then give the car a good shake from each corner to see how stable it is. I _always_ do this before getting under a supported vehicle, regardless of what it's sitting on. For added safety, is there any reason why the scissor lift has to be completely removed, or can you still leave it under one end or side of the car (along with the 4 stands) while doing the job?

Reply to
Willy Eckerslyke

That is a good idea, though I'd have to lower the lift to the ground to get its own moving jack under it. But I'd raise it up again I guess.

Maybe some makeshift diagonals could be added to the stands if they appear unstable.

Reply to
DeanB

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