Dear Elanlover:
This is going to have LEC-ers rolling in the aisles around the world-this is how I raise my car: First, I made a set of blocks out of walnut and drilled relief holes in them to take the place of the 3/4 socket. I then place them on the first two of the three trolley jacks that I use. I place the trolley jacks under the front "a" positions and, much like Mr. Andy C, raise the car slowly and evenly (rear wheels chocked and handbrake on) and then place axle stands under the front "b" positions. I then slowly lower the car onto the front axle stands and leave a bit of tension on the front trolley jacks (just in case). If the front tires and wheels are coming off, then I slide them under the car with a folded up wool blanket on each wheel (again, just in case).
Second, I then go to the rear with the third trolley jack and a 2 by 4 inch piece of wood to tie in both rear "c" positions. From the center of the rear of the car, with the 2 x 4 on the trolley jack and under the channel that forms the rear "c" jack points, I slowly raise the rear of the car until I fit the jack stands with the appropriate walnut blocks under the rear "a" jack points. I then set the car down onto the jack stands and make sure all four stands are sitting squarely on the garage floor and bearing the weight. I then go around to each corner of the car and gently grab the fender/wing and put SLIGHT pressure on it to see if the car moves at all. If it moves, I stop eveything and see where is the problem.
I leave all of the trolley jacks in place as long as they do not get in the way.
An alternative that I am going to use is to start to raise the front of the car as described above and once it is high enough, slide a pair of bottle jacks under the front "b" jack points and let the bottle jacks take over. Once high enough, I will put a pair of jack stands under the front "a" jacking points.
A brief word about trolley jacks-try to find the ones that have the ability to open and close the hydraulic valve by simply twisting the handle and make sure they can open and close the valve with the handle all the way down and almost all the way up. Hein Werner is the brand, from my experience, that is regarded as the Cadillac of floor jacks. Best place to find them since they tend to be a bit on the pricey side are at shops that repair and rebuild floor jacks. They often have rebuilts available for about half of the $300 retail price (or less). Werner is also a quality tool. My friends have bought well rebuilt units and have had no complaints.
The floor jack that you posted above is like one of my three and the separate handle has its plusses and minuses. Having to take your head out of whatever it is that your are doing in order to take the handle out and put it on the the valve to close it and then put it back in to pump the jack and then take it out again in order to release the valve etc. etc. can get pretty annoying. At least it does so for me since I use one such floor jack myself. If you can find a reasonably priced jack that has hydraulic valve control ability through an attached handle, go with it as long as you can control the valve from pretty much any handle height or angle (those with u joints). The ones that have interlocking gears at the base of the handle often won't work well when the handle is at its extremes.
Another thing to look for is minimum saddle height. Our cars are low so the lower the minimum saddle height the better. But that also makes the jack a bit more expensive.
Last, buy a quality floor jack. It may cost you more now, but it is something that you will use for many, many years. Some of my jacks are over 30 years old. Plus they have many other uses around the house as well. I've used mine to hang kitchen wall cabinets.
And above all else-safety, more safety and even more safety! Andy C writes about being paranoid about jacking up his car. That is good paranoia to have. Having a car drop on you is not the sort of thing that will contribute to your having a "good day". So be paranoid when taking a car up off of the ground (unless you are behind the wheel driving it in which case it is okay to do. Just don't drive off of a cliff-that is not ok to do. But if one's mother-in-law were to drive off of a cliff in one's Elan, I think I would be left with mixed emotions at best.).
I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Algirdas
PS Mind you, I am NOT paranoid, but why is it that everytime football players are in a huddle they are talking about me?
Noli illegitemi carborundum.
by Elanlover » Mon 10.07.2006, 19:59 
Bravo!
