How to work under your car ?

"Johan Cannaerts" realised it was Sat, 3 Jan

2004 00:30:09 +0100 and decided it was time to write:

You could consider a low-rise car lift. Holden has had a good one on offer for ages:

the bottom of the page, detailed specs can be found on )

Jack the car then support on a stack of wooden blocks. I have a pile of 12 inch 4x4 inch blocks and assorted plank offcuts to use for blocking up any car, safely and securely. Cheap, rock solid and very 'adjustable'.

F'up to self:

Then "Johan Cannaerts" decided to write in my mailbox:

Not yet, but I have one on order from Autec, as it was on special offer on their website until December 31. It's scheduled to be delivered end of this month. I plan to start using it in earnest about a month later, after I've painted the concrete floor of my new garage and waited for it to dry thoroughly.

I have done all the work under my Sprite just with axle stands. Not the most comfortable but there was enough height to do everything I wanted, including serious welding. Don't let the welding slag fall on you though!

When I am doing restorations I have a trolley made up so the body can be moved and is about 600-700mm clearance. Does get awkward when getting it onto and taking if off.

Johan,

So long as the car is secure the next thing you need is a piece of old light coulred carpet. It'll keep you a bit warmer ( I work in the street on my cars) , and any small things you drop tend to show up easily.

EricR PS I also have an old pillow I use to....no point in slumming it is ther! ;-)

Don't muck about with those little metal ramps you get from motorworld. They are totally inadequate. It costs about twenty quid in breeze blocks and cement to build a fair sized pair of ramps (if you have the room) and you can even make a pair of wheel-circumference rests on the top level so you feel when the front wheels drop into them. If I use the top level mine gives about two foot six of clearance. Chocks on the back wheels are still essential mind.

Horatio.

My garage floor is "carpeted" with old bits of car mat and cardboard sheets (eg Ikea packaging) for the same reason. And it helps protect my dodgy old knees! I do have an old hoover in there to clean up with too... ;)

A few old cushions. They have a multitude of uses!