Axle Stands Or Ramps?

[MrT]

For getting under the galaxy engine, what is the best option, wheel ramps or axle stands?

 

Where would you place the axle stands at the front end of a galaxy (to work under the engine) so that they safely take the weight and don't damage the car? The last car I did this on had a chassis which shows how long ago that was!

[greg_68]

Deffo rampsif you have them.

 

Personally I'd feel uncomfortble being under a big beast on axle stands, never used to bother me when it was on ramps tho.

[Guest BagPuss]

I've always used axle stands and never had a problem, but it's just down to your own preference.

Well working on the Scirocco that is, never had the Galaxy up yet......and I say 'yet'.

 

If I do have to work under the Galaxy then yes I may invest in some ramps.

[Dave-G]

Most car ramps will foul the underskirt of your galaxy. That's actually what led me to make this:

 

http://www.citroenpicasso.org.uk/picasso/uploads/post-34-1111424708.jpg

http://www.citroenpicasso.org.uk/picasso/uploads/post-34-1111036491.jpg

http://www.citroenpicasso.org.uk/picasso/uploads/post-34-1111036612.jpg

http://www.citroenpicasso.org.uk/picasso/uploads/post-34-1111424415.jpg

http://www.citroenpicasso.org.uk/picasso/uploads/post-34-1111424595.jpg

 

Or if you can't make the above...

 

 

http://www.citroenpicasso.org.uk/picasso/uploads//post-34-1111149588.jpg

 

:D :D :lol: B)

[Guest BagPuss]

Most car ramps will foul the underskirt of your galaxy. That's actually what led me to make this:

 

So what you mean to say is you nicked the kids skateboard ramps!

 

:lol:

[Dave-G]

Most car ramps will foul the underskirt of your galaxy. That's actually what led me to make this:

 

So what you mean to say is you nicked the kids skateboard ramps!

 

:lol:

 

-_- Yeah - but it works for me :P

[mumof4]

Wow..look at those alloys....same as mine...but in better condition.Can i have em???? :lol: -_- :P

[MrT]

Looking for ramps they all seem to be made for little cars. It's not the weight but the tyre width that seems to be restrictive.

 

Halfords only take up to 185.

 

The Sealey 2500 ramps seem the biggest of the standard type take up to 2.5 tons but only a 210 tyre. My tyres are 215, so will that extra 5mm damage the edge of my tyres on the side irons? I would also have to get these by mail order which would delay me even more.

 

I have 21cm clearance at the front skirt by the wheels in the unladen car so that would clear the top of the ramp. The rear may be more of a problem and the mudguards would certainly have to come off.

 

Looking at the jacking points for the galaxy, surely the TIS cannot be telling me to jack it by the sump at the front?

 

[Dave-G]

I don't think they refer to the sump - which of course is coverered by the undercover :lol:

 

That seems to suggest the "thingy protruding" from the undercover -_- - but I don't know what it's called mate

[chesh100]

I shall always use ramps now, unless i need to take the wheel off, and even then I'll keep the jack on the side of the car.

 

Had one of my axle stands buckle n colapse under the weight of our trusty Gal!! -_-

 

Maybe I'll just buy stronger stands for extra saftey :lol:

[Guest HairyPlateEater]

Strange one I know, but Argos do a 2 tonne trolley jack and axle stand kit for

[chesh100]

What do they mean by "foldable axle stands" :lol:

 

They can't mean the legs, or could they????? How safe would these be??? Any movable link is surely going to be a weak spot on something like this.

 

Trolley Jack looks pretty good though. -_-

[MrT]

That is one thing that bothers me about some of the axle stands, they say suitable for cars of up to two tons, which is more than the Galaxy, but the Galaxy must have a higher proportion of its weight towards the front, so maybe it would be wise to go for stronger ones.

[mumof4]

ermm...me thinks the Galaxy actually weighs just under 2tons..well just checking in my hand book and mine is 1956kg.

[anadin]

ermm...me thinks the Galaxy actually weighs just under 2tons..well just checking in my hand book and mine is 1956kg.

 

erm thats without your handbag :lol:

[mumof4]

:lol: ...I am one of very few woman who dont actually have a handbag!! :D ..if it doesnt fit in my pockets then i dont need it. -_- :D

 

that was the kerb weight i posted.. :P fully laden is 2400kg

[anadin]

:lol: ...I am one of very few woman who dont actually have a handbag!! :D ..if it doesnt fit in my pockets then i dont need it. :D :D

 

that was the kerb weight i posted.. :P fully laden is 2400kg

 

-_- :D :D :P :P shoplifter eh :D

[mumof4]

:16: :16: :16:

 

 

Nah..the kids do that!! :lol:

[MrT]

Are you sure of those weights?

 

Looking at the brochure I have it quotes mine with a kerbweight of 1727Kg with a 75Kg driver, full tank of fuel and full fluid levels. It lists all the deisels as 1724Kg kerbweight.

 

The gross weight is then given as 2470Kg or 2510Kg for the deisel.

[mumof4]

Ok as per my handbook...i have a 1.9tdi 115.....

 

 

manual

 

kerb weight=1666 to 1956

gross is =2400.

 

 

mine is a 2001 model.....i dont know bout your figures..but i have diff weights in my book for the 90bhp diesel.And diff weights for the autos aswell.

[teresa]

Strange one I know, but Argos do a 2 tonne trolley jack and axle stand kit for

[iainkirk]

You used to be able to get red (Paddy Hopkirk??) ramps for vans. These were a lot larger than the car ones. Don't know if you can still get them.

 

I've got a '2T' Hafords trolley jack. Cost me about

[Vanbursta]

Both stands and ramps have their pros and cons. Axle stands generally spread the contact weight over a small area and can therefore "dig in" to the surface they are standing on, too much dig in on any one of the three contact points could therefore cause instability, they could also collapse if under rated for the job.

 

Ramps can be difficult to get on and can cause tyre damage if they are not wide enough to take the tyres, they can also tip if not absolutely straight and are even more prone to collapse than axle stands as the weight distribution becomes a complex issue.

 

In general either are safe provided they are of good construction, the correct weight tollerance and used sensibly, you do hear of accidents using both but these normally only happen when someone does something silly like running the car in gear on axle stands!