So I've been wondering how to properly jack up my Mk3. Jacking it from the rear that is. There's only one jack point each side and I'd like to put a support strut somewhere, but the only suitable place to put it is the jack point, but in order to safely jack up the car I have to put my scissor jack there. are there other places for me to safely jack up the rear of the car enough to put some support struts in place using the scissor jack?

There's no real safe place to use a suici..Scissor Jack

There are jacking points at the rear aren't there? Do you mean Mk3 as in 86c or as in 6n?

If it's a Mk3/86c, best way of getting the rear end supported is a second person to move an axle stand under it as you lift the rear of the car lol.

6n. There's only one real support at the back. I tried lifting the car on another spot, no damage seen and the car lifted up, but I might just put a block of wood or two there to give it a bigger surface so I don't fuck up something. If I do it like that I can lift the car up enough to slide the jack stand under the support point. The problem then becomes getting the car back down again.

The rear beam can be used - next time you go for an MOT, watch where the tester jacks up the rear of the car.

And there isn't just one place to jack the rear on a 6n - the double-skinned part of the sill (indicated with an arrow) can be jacked on, and just behind there is a jacking point. Jack up on the sill, then sling an axle stand under the jacking point next to it.

And for God's sake, buy a trolley jack - they're only about a tenner. Scissor jacks are only designed to be used in emergency roadside situations and are dangerous if used to support the car while working on it. A couple of years ago someone on here broke their jaw when their scissor jack gave way and the car landed on his face!!!!

^well thats just retarded... I wouldnt work under a car held with any jack!

go to cash point, get cash , buy trolly jack, enjoy safe motoring,

even better get one of those kist with trolly jack and axle stands and shit in

not expencive and well worth it,

Hmm, does seem cheap, I checked some prices and the trolley jack seems pretty cheap. I do feel like I'm spending a bit too much on the car and I haven't really fixed much yet. Also, I might not use the trolley jack for the next year or two so I'm really reluctant to buy one if I'm not going to use it on a regular basis.

In any case I'll take a look in the shops tommorow, chances are there might be one hidden there.

Bah, what the hell, if it all goes to hell I can sell it on ebay.

EDIT:

This is what I mean. The rear jacking point/support point. It's the same thing. As you can see, directly next to it there is no place to put the jack and jack the car up.

However a bit back:

THere's enough flat metal and it seems to be tough enough to place a jack there and jack the car up enough to put an axle stand on the support point.

Is it safe to jack the car at that point?

Edited 12 March, 200917 yr by MehMan

Put it this way, how much do you value your life? Enough to spend £20-£30 on a trolley jack and a set of axle stands?

Being slowly crushed to death under a car that's fallen on you doesn't sound like a great way to spend an afternoon to me

Scissor jacks are just for swapping on a spare wheel at the side of the road, never, ever, go under a car held up by a scissor jack they just aren't safe no matter where you jack them to on the car.

No offense, but I've already said that I have a pair of axle stands. What I need to know is where can I jack up the car in the rear so I can put the axle stands on the support points. I don't see any other point where I could put the axle stand besides the jacking point, but that one is occupied by the jack.

I thought I made myself clear. I do know of the dangers of using only the scissor jack, that's why I bought a pair of axle stands. Now I don't know where to bloody put them as haynes is so vague as bush was about wmds.

Edited 13 March, 200917 yr by MehMan

i usually jack the car up at the front of the double skinned part (hope we talkin bout the same part, cant see pics at work!), and then theres just enough room for me to get the axle stand on the back of the same bit. my axle stands are quite narrow tho, and its still a bit of a squeeze. or as said you can support it on the beam.

oh OK I managed to miss the bit where you said you were using axle stands! That's ok then :)

Contrary to using a trolley jack instead,which presents the same problem,the scissor jack can be used elsewhere on the shell.

Feel just behind the sills weld flange halfway along the car and you can feel the floor. Obviously. Now work back and you'll feel the floor stop/disappear. At that point,just before it does,the sill is at a high strength and will take a scissor jack or trolley if its used with a grooved block.

I do recommend the trolley for lifting though,even though you're only lifting for a stand,because scissor jacks can snap. I've had three snap on me - two the white nylon knuckle,and the third (which had an iron knuckle) the threaded shaft snapped!