Lotus Elan Central

by **Ekapol** » Sun 18.03.2007, 19:42

I got a new jack ~~~ :smt034

Low enough to fit a 3/4" socket under jacking point without driving up on the wood ramp first.

2-ton. Good price at Costco too.

by **paulrwebster** » Sun 18.03.2007, 21:07

Looks pretty.

I too have trouble getting a socket and my trolley jack under the car, so I have chopped up one of those bits of wood that a curtain pole is attached to, to replace the socket. It works a treat on an S2.

by **GeoffSmith** » Sun 18.03.2007, 21:32

Paul,

I wouldn't advise having anything of value (i.e. limbs) under the car unless you've got additional supports in place. If the wood starts to split, it is likely to split in two very quickly. Take care or use it for a pattern for a steel part.

Geoff

by **paulrwebster** » Sun 18.03.2007, 22:34

Thanks Geoff.

I really, really hate the jacking system on the S2 :twisted:

by **ailwyn** » Sun 18.03.2007, 22:49

geoffsmith wrote:Paul,

I wouldn't advise having anything of value (i.e. limbs) under the car unless you've got additional supports in place. If the wood starts to split, it is likely to split in two very quickly. Take care or use it for a pattern for a steel part.

Geoff

Or better yet, if placing body parts under the car - USE AXLE STANDS :smt018

by **paza1** » Sun 18.03.2007, 22:55

....or both, just to be absolutely sure :?:

Mark

by **GeoffSmith** » Sun 18.03.2007, 23:12

paza1 wrote:....or both, just to be absolutely sure

YES, always.

Just pointing out that until the car is safely choked, the wooden trolley jack should be treated with extreme caution as it is liable to shift violently and suddenly. It happened to me a couple of weeks ago and the noise and sight of the car settling the suspension down onto the axle stands was not a pleasant one.

by **paza1** » Sun 18.03.2007, 23:22

I always feel vulnerable under the car so I always use both....Geoff, your experience certainly makes the point that you can't be too careful
Mark

by **GeoffSmith** » Sun 18.03.2007, 23:23

Indeed. Even though I had an axle stand in place and the road wheel under the sill, it was still a heart stopping moment!

by **Ekapol** » Mon 19.03.2007, 06:29

geoffsmith wrote:It happened to me a couple of weeks ago and the noise and sight of the car settling the suspension down onto the axle stands was not a pleasant one.

I'm not the only one -- holy cow moment :oops:

Guys please be very careful. Being super proactive doesn't cost too much but it can save live.

Paul: I don't think the wood piece has ever been tested/rated anywhere but under your Elan. Please switch to a 3/4" socket soon.

Working on a slope parking surface is also not advisable (heavy head vehicle), unfortunately that's how my parking space is.

by **lotusx180r** » Sat 24.03.2007, 01:06

I use a hockey puck. It is inexpensive, extremely hard and works great not only for the Elan, but also my Honda, Dodge truck and SAAB.

Kyle

by **Mike_H** » Sat 24.03.2007, 08:52

I made one from a piece of aluminium bar , drilled a hole through the middle and chamfered both ends.

by **Dico** » Sat 24.03.2007, 09:28

I'm looking for a new trolley jack. My current one lasted around 10 uses before a seal gave way

Can anyone suggest where I can get a compact quality one from, that will fit under the Elan (with socket) and raise it high enough for axle stands?

by **Monty** » Sat 24.03.2007, 11:01

Dico,

That one of Ekapol was from Costco, wonder if they do it here in the UK

by **Dico** » Sat 24.03.2007, 16:34

They didn't last week Geof, erm Monty.

by **Ekapol** » Mon 26.03.2007, 05:06

Dico wrote:They didn't last week Geof, erm Monty.

You could try checking their website too. costco.com for in the US. I'm not sure if they have it in the UK. Couldn't find it on UK site: Costco

They normally take their customers' suggestions seriously. Might even be able to get some for you.

by **surfboardfiller** » Wed 18.04.2007, 20:27

I got a draper one for £20 at my local Automan type place.
It's decent enough for mi but may be too high if the car has a flat tyre.

Cheers me dears :-D

by **Doug** » Wed 18.04.2007, 20:45

just jacked up the SUV last night to see which brake pad was wearing out . . .

I have a cut piece of 2X4 with a small groove in it I use on the Evo to fit the channel where the jackpoint is . . .

I used it on the SUV to be able to jack it high enough to get the wheels off . . .

on the third one it seems I accidentally aligned the grain of the block with the channel under the SUV . . .

I got it just where the wheel was coming off the ground, and . . .

thud-split --- wood pieces go flying all around and the car falls off the jack :shock:

so the MORAL = BE CAREFUL with jacking, and maybe don't use wood for this specific reason = it was not meant to be point loaded like that

time to go find a better alternative = higher lift jack or unbreakable spacer

by **bobface** » Sun 29.04.2007, 13:31

The 3/4" socket required to add to a trolley jack, is this a regular socket from a socket set or something a bit more specialised. All the pictures look like decent wide spacers

by **Doug** » Sun 29.04.2007, 16:52

bobface wrote:The 3/4" socket required to add to a trolley jack, is this a regular socket from a socket set or something a bit more specialised. All the pictures look like decent wide spacers

plain regular socket just to be an adapter from the broad trollet jack top to the small Elan 'nipple'

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