www.jec.org.uk

Is it normally a problem to get an xjs on to Axle stands? All I want to do to is remove the back wheels so I can re touch the sealant on the wheel arches. However even when my trolley jack was at maximum extentension and the wheel well off the floor I needed at least another inch (doesn't everyone ) beofre I would have been able to get my axle stand in place. The stands minimum ht is 10 3/4" (27.5 cm).

Smaller Axle Stands, bigger jack or bricks?

Steve W

Steve
Four-Poster
Difficulties with safe jacking (access, height, weight of the car) is one reason that I fight shy from doing my own maintenance now, (another is laziness ).
DO NOT USE BRICKS They will crack and callapse!
In this particular instance I would put the trolley jack under the jacking point on the rear sill preferably with a piece of wood as a load spreader (in case the sill is a bit sus), if the sill crunches and crackles as you take the weight have a re-think! place your axle stand to one side or the other for safety and do one side at a time
No doubt other people will be able to advise on a safe "full jack". Cue Pop?????
Best Wishes
DH Dove

What I did was shape a piece of wood (dimensions in Haynes Manual) and put under the diff cage and jack it up from there, then get the axle stands under the jacking points. Then put another piece in (shaped but thicker) and jack up again and adjust the axle stands.

doing it this way, I can get the wheel 5" off the deck so without them, room to work under the back end is greatly improved

Hope this helps

Steve, I don't know what trolly jack you have. but if it sounds like its not suitable.
A Wolf says, the best place to use a trolly-jack on an xj-s is either the front subframe or the plate under the diff, protected by a decent piece of timber both to spread the load and to protect the car.
The main trouble I've had with axle-stands is they really *are* designed to support an axle which for an xj-s is useless of course. The photo below shows a set of mine to which I have welded a 'ring' (3/4" steel pipe I think) which nicely supports the Jag jacking points without any possibility of the stand moving or slipping.

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a183/ ... 9Small.jpg

While the rear is on the stands, remember that the only things holding the rear cage and suspension is four perished rubber mounts, take care; Having had a Land Rover fall off a scissor jack many years ago while my legs were underneath has made me very carefull since! By luck, the brake drum hit the floor, not me
Pop

Agreed
But, has anyone had problems getting a trolley jack under the front sub-frame/rear diff cage and then being able to pump the handle enough to actually get the jack to lift
NB Pop, did you just nip out into the garage to take that axle-stand photo? Greater love etc. etc.
DH Dove

Fair point DH, I use another jack (the car one will do) under a jacking point to raise the car a couple of inches first. The trolly-dolly and wood then goes in a treat, once that starts to take the weight, remove the first one.
Lowering down is the same but in reverse.
(No need to 'nip-out', Due to the amount of work needed on the car, I now live full time in the garage)
Pop

As always fantastic advise from you guys the soundest of which seems to be let an expert do it! One thing I didn't mention is my own garage has a pit which is great for some maintenace jobs but restricts some of the safe jacking points.

thanks again.

Steve W