Jacking Up
From GTM Workshop
For now this article only covers jacking up the rear of a Libra.
Contents |
What you need
- A jack!
- Chocks
- Wooden shims or spacers
- Axle stands
- Depending on your jack: a ramp (see optional first step)
Safety
- Ensure the surface is firm, level and even.
- The hand brake operates on the rear wheels, make sure the car is chocked properly before you raise them.
- Do not use the jack or axle stand on the beam end covers! They aren't structural and won't bear the weight of the car. Injury or damage may occur.
- Do not use the jack to hold the weight of the car! Jacks are not intended for this purpose and can fail. Stands are far less likely to fail.
Procedure
Optional: If you jack won't go low enough!
Not all jacks will clear the underneath of the car, in order to get around this problem it is necessary to raise the height of the car somehow. It's possible to make a ramp to use for this purpose. Alternatively, a low-level jack can be bought for about £30
Chock the diagonally opposite wheel to the one you want to jack
So if you are jacking the drivers side rear wheel (as show in the photos) then chock the front passengers side. This is to prevent the vehicle from moving. You shouldn't chock the same side of the car as the jack because it's likely that the wheel will lift clear of the chock.
Put the jack and axle stand in place
When jacking the rear of the Libra the axle stand should be placed just forward of the beam end covers. The jack can then be placed slightly further forward of this.
To avoid possible damage to the underside of the car from the jack or stand use some small pieces of wood. The photo opposite also shows a piece of ply wood being used to help the jack wheels move smoothly.
Jack the car up and lower it onto the axle stand
Gradually raise the car until the stand will slide underneath then lower the car onto it making sure that the stand is level.
The car is now safe and you can begin work.
