Jack vs Ramp
 

Hello,

Someone can probably help me out very easily here, I am looking for the most secure way of getting the front end of the car up and don't know whether that would be by my purchasing jack stands or ramps. Any opinions would be appreciated, I just want to be able to do a little work under the car without worrying that I'll be "that guy" that got smushed while working under his car (what are they, the Darwin awards right? I don't want to be on that list if I can avoid it).

Thanks,
CDT

Ramps are cool ( and cheaper) but what model car do you have? My '94 wagon would need a ramp to get up on the ramp because the air dam is so low to the ground. One doesn't need to worry about o ring failure with ramps as opposed to floor jacks.

I think I have modified my sig so that I don't have to worry about that fact that I never remeber to add what the car is... ramps, huh? sounds good to me, thanks for the reply.

cdt

Tunk,

I have both , but I tend to use the jack and jack stands more often. I can never get centered on the ramps in just one try. It's up, down, adjust the ramp, up, down, adjust the ramp. I also need 2x4's in front of the ramp so I can get past the front lip. The ramps seem rather limited in use (mostly for fluid changes, I guess) where the jacks can be used for all this plus brakes, wheels, etc.

Only time I use the jack is to remove wheels.
Made my own ramps years ago.
Instructions:

Get some 2 x 12" lumber, cut the first ( bottom piece ) about 48" long, the second piece ( to be nailed on top of the first ), about 42", the next piece ( to be nailed on top of the 42" one ) about 36" long, etc.
When you're as high as you want to be ( mine is about 5 high ), nail a " stop strip" to the front of the highest board.
When you use the ramps, be sure to set the parking brake and you could block the back wheels as well for good measure.
;)

Jack stands are much more versatile.
What good will a ramp do you if you need to remove the wheels?

That said, ramps can be convenient for rapid setup.
I'll use four ramps get the entire car up for exhaust work, and such. This also makes things level for tranny fills, etc...

Four ramps? How, you say? Well, I never actually drive up the ramps. I simply jack up one end, and set it down on the ramps. Why? As mentioned, I have found that most ramps are too steep to clear, particularly in the front. Also, driving up the ramps is always unnerving.

I like the home-built wooden ramp idea, since once could design in a more gradual slope, and no flex. The metal ones do tend to nest for tight storage, however...

Still longing for a real lift...

;)

With the availability of inexpensive and sturdy jack stands, floor jacks and ramps, you should load up with all of it. There are times when ramps are handy, but other times when a floor jack may even be used while at the same time the car is on the ramps.

Such an investment will pay off for many years to come.

Good luck,

WOW! Tank,
 

That is the OLDEST Mercedes in existance.


thebern

old NE house
 

one of the blessings of owning a house built in 1890 Manny is I do have an unlimited supply basically of lumber that owners have used for odd jobs and squirreled away the extra into the garage, I have to say I like your idea (cost/simplicity) and I might just make them tonight when I get home. I know I have 2x12's kicking around, as for the string, I have one hanging in my garage already, always know when there'll be enough room to close the door that way... drive till this hits your windshield type thing.

Re: old NE house
 

Ha, ha, funny.:D
That's when I built my ramps, with left-over lumber from when I biult my house in 1979.;)

Yes, lift is The Best. Here is 600SEL on my new Nussbaum lift.

May I inquire about the cost of the lift?

thebern
 

ha ha! what does a dyslexic atheist insomniac do at night? Lie awake wondering if there is a dog... I know its an old benz but not 1895... thanks for that.

cdt

Gotta get one of those!!! I got a 220V source running my big honkin compressor right now, so no trouble finding a power! Perfect add on to my family garage-soon-to-be pit area!:D

I used to work with a Darwin Award nominee who always went over the end of the ramps:eek: You could always spot his car from the destintive damage it did.

Ramps are great when one needs to tighten bushings that are supposed to be done a normal ride height.

Haasman

I understand he has not been seen or heard from, since he made a wrong turn on a bridge. :D

I agree that both ramps and stands have their place. I happen to have ramps/platforms that the ramps are removeable but am able to drive up them without hitting anything on the car. If I don't need to take the tires off, on the platform it goes, more room to move around. If the tires are coming off, on the stands it goes. Either way, usually the floor jack is rolled out to raise the car and always the wheel chocks. As added insurance, before crawling under any vehicle I always bump it to see if it wiggles any and fix that if it does (AIN'T havin' any car fall on me due to a stupid job of setting it on stands).

newest high tech gadget
 

Manny, I made my ramps this weekend out of 2x12's from the garage as per your DIY tip and they worked great! Good tip, saved some cash. Three layers of 2x12's was really all I needed to get under there. Back wheels blocked with bricks. Put all my weight into the side and front fo the car to see if I could shake it loose before getting under it. Worked like a charm.

Thanks,
CDT

tunk

;)