11 replies to this topic

[blacktulip]

can someone post a pic of a 60's jack for me? i think i might have one. im sure i have read that they were a different design.

[THE ANORAK]

the jack in the top photo was used in the original mk1 tool kit.

this changed to the the T-jack in the bottom photo after January 1963

[blackbelt1990]

Neither of which I would ever like to use! lol

Ryan

[minimadjonesy]

think I have one of the bottom type of Jack at home!

[fairshepherd]

Neither of which I would ever like to use! lol

Ryan

I agree I’ve got the jack in the 2nd photo. Tried using it once and it scared me so I just carry a small trolley jack with me know - much safer and easer

Just out of curiosity does anyone know what jack should have come with my mini? - its a '91 998 Mayfair

[Dan]

The second one but in black powder coat finish. They are perfectly fine and no more dangerous than any other jack. In fact it is harder for the car to fall off of this jack than off of a scissor jack because it engages with the sill. They are quick and simple to use and lift the car by the jacking points in the crossmember that it is designed to be lifted by. It is much easier to damage the car using a trolley jack, and a trolley jack being hydraulic is actually more likely to fail than a mechanical one. Not suggesting it will just thinking that it's a slightly odd point of view to automatically trust the rubber cylinder seal held in place by friction which keeps the car in the air on a hydraulic jack over a half inch thick course threaded steel screw. Neither is worse than the other really So long as the jacking point or sill isn't rusted out they are fine but the same is true of any lifting or jacking point.

Edited by Dan, 02 April 2007 - 10:58 AM.

[gceclifton]

im always worried about a sissor jack slipping sideways while im near it, i usually use axle stands as well but for small bits, i always think its gonna slide and damage something (would only ever go under the car once its on axle stands or blocks...)

[Dan]

Absolutely, all jacks are for lifting not supporting. Good for changing a tyre but nothing else.

[blackbelt1990]

I don't like the idea of having to keep my door open at the side of the road if I have an offside puncture... suppose I could always pull the other way! lol

Edited by blackbelt1990, 02 April 2007 - 09:47 PM.

[fairshepherd]

The second one but in black powder coat finish. They are perfectly fine and no more dangerous than any other jack. In fact it is harder for the car to fall off of this jack than off of a scissor jack because it engages with the sill. They are quick and simple to use and lift the car by the jacking points in the crossmember that it is designed to be lifted by. It is much easier to damage the car using a trolley jack, and a trolley jack being hydraulic is actually more likely to fail than a mechanical one. Not suggesting it will just thinking that it's a slightly odd point of view to automatically trust the rubber cylinder seal held in place by friction which keeps the car in the air on a hydraulic jack over a half inch thick course threaded steel screw. Neither is worse than the other really So long as the jacking point or sill isn't rusted out they are fine but the same is true of any lifting or jacking point.

Its not down to the mechanical side that I don't like using it - it's more the fact that the base of the jack is rather small and I am paranoid the car will fall off it.

Anyway, I just hope by not using the original jack I haven’t offended the mini gods.

[Dan]

base of the jack is rather small

Well that much is true. The foot does tend to sink into warm tarmac. Makes sense to have a jack pad of some kind with you if nothing else.

And you don't need to keep the door open to use it!

Anyway, I just hope by not using the original jack I haven’t offended the mini gods.

I'm sure the gods aren't offended and personally I wasn't trying to offend anyone either, just to point out that if you do have a puncture and have the Mini jack with you it is fine to use and not too dangerous to risk changing the wheel. Lots of people read this site, don't want them getting the wrong idea.

[taffy1967]

All the Minis I've owned (including my current one) have had the jack as in the bottom picture, only in black. Only the 1960's type came in red I believe?

Anyway I've always used that jack when I've had to change a wheel, but I've heard it said by many Mini enthusiasts and a body repair specialists that it's better to use a scissor jack instead of putting all that load on the sills.

Now my current Mini is approaching 17 years of age and is on it's second pair of sills, I might consider buying a scissor jack instead.