16 replies to this topic

[danny_rye]

i dont have a mini at the moment soon be doing a restoration once i get one... so im getting lots of tools including a garage! just wondering weather i need a low entry trolley jack or will a ordinary one be fine i forgot how low they are silly me. also any recommendations on which jack? cheers danny

Edited by danny_rye, 02 September 2011 - 04:56 PM.

[chrisandsarah]

Even a low one will probly not fit under it, I use a normal one - but drive the car up on small ramps before jacking her up... hope that helps!

[AVV IT]

Does it not depend on how low your particular car is?? (i.e. whether it is lower than normal due to adjustable suspension, or just tired cones!!) A standard trolley jack fits under mine with no problems, but then I suppose that my suspension is probably also standard ride hight.

[Pete93]

My mini is lowered and I just use a cheap trolley jack and when it's driven up (or pushed) onto two small blocks of wood it fits under easily.

Personally I would spend the money elsewhere unless you want the jack to last for life.

[sonikk4]

I use one of the Clarke light weight low entry jacks and a standard type high lift jack.

[Tamworthbay]

Don't go cheap on a jack, get a mid quality one like a clarke 3 tonner for about 70 quid and it will everything you need it to. In fact get 2 as you would be amazed how many jobs need more than 1.

[Mini Mad Drakeley]

ive been using a normal 2 tonne trolley jack which fits under no problem and then ive also got a 2tonne jack from lidl which is pretty good and only cost a few quid needs to be the right time of year for them to do car stuff though, also got some axle stands which are also very good

[mike.]

Both my jacks have been normal ones. Near enough all trolley jacks go to a minimum height of around 135mm so about 5 inch. Since you'll be lifting from under the subframe that'll easily be more than 5 inch from the ground - If its less your sump will be way too low to use on the road.

Also, £20-30 on a jack is fine, no point spending more than £50 on one for a minis weight. My last jack was a £20 job my dads had for years, it lasted probably way over a decade before it packed up!

[jonny d]

I bought 2 from Aldi for £7 each still use them 6 years on

[Artful Dodger]

Don't go cheap on a jack, get a mid quality one like a clarke 3 tonner for about 70 quid and it will everything you need it to. In fact get 2 as you would be amazed how many jobs need more than 1.

also it is alot easier to have two if you were, for example, doing the front breaks, having both wheels off the ground instead of doing one side then putting the wheel back n and then doing the other side:P

[MrBounce]

also it is alot easier to have two if you were, for example, doing the front breaks, having both wheels off the ground instead of doing one side then putting the wheel back n and then doing the other side:P

I prefer to do this with one trolley jack (2-tonner from Halfords) and 2 axle stands.

I have never had an issue with the standard Halfords trolley jack. Mine lasted 15 years before the seals died. My friend's Dad is a former hydraulic engineer and can rebuild them. Then I'll have a spare...

[Kam]

As mentioned, any standard trolley jack goes under any standard height mini, don't bother getting a halfords bottle jack, they slip in under a standard ride height mini yes but thats about it, they can't even lift a wheel of the floor! If your worried about carrying something less heavy than a trolley jack then a RAC/AA card is lighter

Main thing is, don't rely just on the trolley jack itself if your working with it, basic common sense

[Burnard]

I have a clarke 1.25 tonne alloy super low jack, and it only just fits... lol.
I carry the standard sill jack just incase i ever need to change a wheel at the side of the road, never had a problem with it, and it works perfectly well on any height mini.

[minimissionary]

Ramps are always a good idea too. Common stuff like the selector shaft oil seal are best done with the car level, so 2 ramps and 2 axle stands to got with the trolley jack mean you can tackle most jobs safely and easily. Got mine off ebay for next to nothing!

[Artful Dodger]

also it is alot easier to have two if you were, for example, doing the front breaks, having both wheels off the ground instead of doing one side then putting the wheel back n and then doing the other side:P

I prefer to do this with one trolley jack (2-tonner from Halfords) and 2 axle stands.

yeah true 8) but where can you jack the whole front of the mini up with one jack without risk of bending the front subframe / valance ?