Jacking an S2

[DABgp]

Thick Newbie speaking...

I don't understand this:
http://wikilec.9600.org/index.php/Jacking_Points
Why can't I use the rear jacking points on the S2 I have just bought? And it's unclear to me what I have to do instead.

[epipete]

Since I have an SE I've no idea, however when using the front jacking points the entire side of the car will rise sufficient that both front and rear will be off the ground.

[muley]

There are no rear jacking points on an S2.

Just use the front ones - the rear of the car will lift anyway.

HTH

Jim

[Rob P]

Since I have an SE I've no idea, however when using the front jacking points the entire side of the car will rise sufficient that both front and rear will be off the ground.

never used the rear jacking points on my SE yet either

[DABgp]

Thanks everyone. Of course I now find it's all in the handbook, which I should have read in the first place.

How do you all get on at a ubiquitous tyre depot? Strikes me there is plenty of scope for them to jack them up at the wrong point, especially with an S2...

[muley]

Thanks everyone. Of course I now find it's all in the handbook, which I should have read in the first place.

How do you all get on at a ubiquitous tyre depot? Strikes me there is plenty of scope for them to jack them up at the wrong point, especially with an S2...

Probably a bit 'anal' but i usually remove the wheels at home and take them in to have tyres fitted.

I'm paranoid at MOT stations as well - I go to one where I show the mechanic exactly where to jack the rear end.

Jim

[epipete]

Thanks everyone. Of course I now find it's all in the handbook, which I should have read in the first place.

How do you all get on at a ubiquitous tyre depot? Strikes me there is plenty of scope for them to jack them up at the wrong point, especially with an S2...

Probably a bit 'anal' but i usually remove the wheels at home and take them in to have tyres fitted.

I'm paranoid at MOT stations as well - I go to one where I show the mechanic exactly where to jack the rear end.

Jim

It may be 'anal' but it's also good sense as (an understandable) ignorance in the trade of M100 is fairly common so damage to the car is very possible, it is also worth remembering that the outer face of the wheel sits proud of the rim and is easily damaged if allowed to fall the wrong way.

The lessons are:

1. Do it yourself
2. Used a tried and trusted mechanic/garage
3. Watch like a hawk and advise on processes/risks

[HJ2]

I use the rear jacking points on my S2 to lift the entire car! (with a car lift)
I put a thick wooden plate in the recess where the Jacking point is supposed to be, or use a large rubber foot of the car lift that touches all 3 edges of the recess (yes, without a plate, and no, it does not damage the body )

Please always use an axle stand as well for safety!

[Simon_P]

There are no rear jacking points on an S2.

The S2 has the same points as the S/E (as far as I know) but it has a different jack and only the front jacking points have the fitting for the jack.

[rip]

As mentioned earlier, the S2 has no primary rear jacking points.
Buy a low entry trolley jack & use the alternative jacking points where the lower arms/wishbones meet the chassis.

[Simon_P]

As mentioned earlier, the S2 has no primary rear jacking points.
Buy a low entry trolley jack & use the alternative jacking points where the lower arms/wishbones meet the chassis.

The S2 has only 2 jacking points at the front. None at the rear, on the chassis, or suspension The handbook quite clearly states "DO NOT use the jack at any other point"

Is the S2 is structurally deficient in the rear cut-out that is used for jacking the S/E? I have always jacked mine there, as I prefer not to use the jack supplied, or jack on the suspension. And I can't easily jack on the front as someone has put a metal bracket there and called it a jacking point.

[JonJon]

Hi All,
I'm about to strip the rear brakes and suspension on my S2, where do you put axle stands?. Is it ok to jack and prop 1 side at a time? Same question applies when I come to stripping the front brakes and suspension, Where to place the stands?
Cheers Jon.

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Follow the jacking directions in the owners guide and the workshop nmanual.

[JonJon]

Follow the jacking directions in the owners guide and the workshop nmanual.

Hi Brit Car,
I guess you know what it says in the wiki about jacking points, here's an extract anyway;

Alternative Jacking Points
Beneath the bolts securing the rear end of the front suspension rafts to the chasis front crossmember (See Fig 1 Item 'b')
Beneath the rearmost pivot points of the rear suspension wishbones, bearing on the lower edges of the channel section using a suitable spreader plate (See Fig 1 Item 'c')

WARNING: On the S2-model Elan, ONLY the front jacking points (See Fig 1 Item 'a') should be used.

CAUTION: Do NOT use a jack beneath any other part of the vehicle, especially

Being new to Elan's I take these warning very seriously (I don't want to damage anything) so thought it best to ask the people that know the cars best! I have looked in the manuals and the wiki but haven't come across any mention of axle stands and there placement. I could sit at my computer reading page after page of info but its far simpler; not to mention a lot quicker, to ask those that know the car best! As I said I new to this, If someone tells me "Only jack my car at point X" I'm going to assume its best not to put axle stands under point "Y" either unless told otherwise. How best to make sure of this? I know I'll ask the guy's that know best!!

[Brit-Car-Nut]

You see how fast you are getting answers - especially for questions that are answered in the workshop manual:

jack2.jpg

jack3.jpg

The S2 doesn't have rear jacking points, thus the reminder on the WIKI. The suspension points are all fine though.

"A" points out the jacking points (only use the fronts though). B and C point out the support points. You can also jack by the support points and put supports under the jacking points.

I usually jack from the suspension points (under the front ball joints or inner pivots and under the rear upright or inner pivots) and put the stands under the jacking points (none on the rear of an S2) so I have better access to the suspension and brakes.

Sorry to sound harsh, but it would have been better to ask a specific question about which instruction confused you, not one as general as you did.

[JonJon]

Hi Brit car,
Thanks for the help And tip, like I said, I did read the wiki before I posted, the warnings re: jacking the S2 left me a little unsure hence my question.

[Brit-Car-Nut]

The Wiki is OK, but I start with the owners handbook, then read the service manual followed by looking at the exploded views in the parts guide. If I am still not sure, I google a gazillion different searches to see if I can find solutions from others who have experience with the repair.

You need to do as much research as possible so you get comfortable finding the info yourself. Then, questions will be more specific and you will get replies on how others intrepreted the info and how it worked out.

I have 46 years of wrench turning experience and I still look things up every day. You won't learn much if you just get the cheat codes (narrow answers to complex questions). I learned the only way to really fix something is to understand what it does and how it does it. Then you can analyze and repair with confidence. Otherwise, you are guessing and probably replacing more than was necessary and you rarely know what you did that actually fixed the problem.

I applaud anyone jumping into a repair project, but research is really necessary to be successful and not frustrated.

[dapinky]

Personally, I believe that there is no such thing as a stupid question - just a stupid belief that you're right without asking it.....

....having many years spannering as well, I fully understand John (B-C-N) principle on understanding the cause and symptoms to fully understand the repair....

... I also know that I wouldn't have learned half as much along the way if I hadn't asked advice and/or opinion along the way - but then again, by trying and failing I have learned to adopt a different view and seek alternative methods of achieving the end result....

.....'back in the day' there was no internet, and the only source of information was the local mechanic, car club meeting, or the ubiquitous Haynes manual....

....and how many times have we all read that lovely passage in the Haynes Manual - "Simply undo the top bolt and lift away the bracket - replacement is the reverse of removal" ....

....anyone else changed a Cortina Mk 3 steering rack following the published 'advice' ????

...now we have the magic of Google - with all of the information that has ever been written on the WWW available at the touch of a few buttons - - and some of it is even true & accurate

I am in the (un)fortunate possition where I can search and find things with confidence - that I have both the most frequently occurring answer - that I have the most-recent answer - and I can also find any answer which has previously existed for the same question......

.....and guess what? - They aint ever the same.

Okay, so what I'm really saying is that research is a good way to learn, and for what we are talking about here, will often send you the right way. But it can also be contradictory or just confusing and/or incomplete.

Also, from 'authoring' a few "How to ...." articles, I can assure you that many 'hints and tips' are excluded from the Workshop Manual, some because the book is aimed at a Lotus-trained technician who should know the basics, and sometimes because the bloke who wrote it interprets actions differently than I do.



So, bottom line - keep asking the questions!

If someone thinks you shouldn't have asked it, then they can feel free to ignore it, but if they wish to point you in the right direction (either to find the answer, or just give you the answer) they can do - that's the beauty of a Forum.


Oh, and to help answer your original question......

..I don't own an S2, have never jacked one up, but am aware that it has no rear jacking point....

....I am also aware of where I should place axle stands / alternative jacking points.....

......but at the moment I am stripping the front suspension out of the car so it is on the drive, rear wheels chocked, scaffold plank between the 2 front jacking points, bit of 3"x2" timber between the jacking point and the scaff plank (hole drilled in one face to locate it on the car!), screw the timber together - voila - the axle stands and trolley jack can go anywhere I want them to lift/support the car whilst I work on it - as the 'alternative' points rely on holding the car up by the bits I was removing, and I didn't fancy just a single jack under the jacking point.

[epipete]

I am stripping the front suspension out of the car so it is on the drive, rear wheels chocked, scaffold plank between the 2 front jacking points, bit of 3"x2" timber between the jacking point and the scaff plank (hole drilled in one face to locate it on the car!), screw the timber together - voila - the axle stands and trolley jack can go anywhere I want them to lift/support the car whilst I work on it - as the 'alternative' points rely on holding the car up by the bits I was removing, and I didn't fancy just a single jack under the jacking point.

Pictures please

I generally agree about your points regarding asking questions after all there are few on here with less knowledge/skill than myself but I do believe that it is incumbent upon us all to, initially, attempt to source a result and then, maybe, seek clarification/confirmation as it does show a bit of commitment to the cause and in this vain, because I'm a contradictory old git, how do you remove the 'trash can' (Jeemy's thread doesn't help!)

Pete

[Brit-Car-Nut]

Probably hijacking the thread... 3 bolts go thru the trashcan bottom into the bracket. Remove the nuts from below.

I never said the original question was stupid, just vague enough to suggest limited research. Very specific questions are a treat as they help everyone when answered.