curved saddle for jack

Technical Area for all the problems you have in the garage
Post Reply
User avatar
simonjrwinter
Posts: 1357
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2010 8:25 pm
Location: Upminster, Essex.

curved saddle for jack

Post by simonjrwinter »

Has anybody ever made themselves up one for lifting the front of their Hawk?
I've always jacked the front of the car by using a jack and several blocks of wood under the front X member, but it's a tad precarious. any ideas before I get something made up?
Simon
TR6 (V8) Hawk 289 FIA (V8) Doing my bit for global warming.
KevinW
T289R Member
T289R Member
Posts: 563
Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2015 6:29 pm
Location: West Sussex

Re: curved saddle for jack

Post by KevinW »

The same thing has occurred to me when jacking up on the round tubes on the Crendon chassis (similar to 289 drainpipes, slightly wider). I got fed up faffing about with bits of wood and not having enough lift on the jack. So I bought on one these :

https://www.halfords.com/tools/garage-w ... 57305.html

- very low height, so slides under all parts of the car easily, easy to jack, high lift height and chassis sits very comfortably on the rubber jacking foot. It is very heavy, so not really something to take with you when out.
User avatar
peterc
T289R Member
T289R Member
Posts: 2041
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2014 9:05 am
Location: Surrey

Re: curved saddle for jack

Post by peterc »

I have always made do with the standard cradle. The lugs prevent it from sliding off the chassis tube.
Peter C
User avatar
clive
T289R Member
T289R Member
Posts: 3392
Joined: Thu Mar 01, 2007 1:18 am
Location: Perth

Re: curved saddle for jack

Post by clive »

I use this. It's a 3.5 ton high lift jack which we used when we had a fleet of busses. It is designed to fit under a diff.

Image
Cheers, Clive.

(If I'm not here I'm in my workshop or on the golf course!)
User avatar
Roger King
Posts: 4396
Joined: Mon Mar 19, 2007 10:29 pm
Location: St Ives, Cambs

Re: curved saddle for jack

Post by Roger King »

The original Shelley jack had a curved cradle that sits neatly under the chassis tubes (original chassis tubes are smaller diameter than Hawks etc., but I don't think that's critical!). They are very good, very reliable jacks which have no hydraulics to fail, but in the workshop I have a Weber trolley jack with a rubber pad. If it's good enough for commercial tyre fitters, it's good enough for me...
User avatar
simonjrwinter
Posts: 1357
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2010 8:25 pm
Location: Upminster, Essex.

Re: curved saddle for jack

Post by simonjrwinter »

My garage floor is not particularly smooth so with the rear wheels chocked, raising the front creates an “arc” as the Jack tends to get stuck on the uneven floor, I’m a bit reluctant to just use the jack pad. It’s a big old weight of car to drop on your head!
I might try and have something made up.
Simon
TR6 (V8) Hawk 289 FIA (V8) Doing my bit for global warming.
User avatar
kdavies3
Posts: 231
Joined: Tue Feb 14, 2017 1:49 pm
Location: Cowbridge South Wales

Re: curved saddle for jack

Post by kdavies3 »

I have two post ramp which has been fabulous help on the Hawk build.
I also currently use wooden blocks which I'm not entirely happy with.
I could do with some kind of curved foot for the ramp mainly at the front.
Kev Davies
DAX Mk4, 383 Chevy Stroker, Tremec. SOLD
Contemporary CCX 3-4028, 445ci Big Block FORD FE,TKO 600. SOLD
Dax De Dion LS2 and T56. SOLD
1965 Ford Mustang 289 Convertible SOLD
In build Hawk 289 (302) Sebring. Awaiting IVA:D
User avatar
peterc
T289R Member
T289R Member
Posts: 2041
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2014 9:05 am
Location: Surrey

Re: curved saddle for jack

Post by peterc »

Simon, suggest that you buy a rubber pad to suit the cradle on the jack and then carve a suitable curve. They usually come with a slot to suit modern cars folded joint but that would allow you to modify it with a suitable sharp chisel.
You may even find other shape rubber pads are available that are more suitable.
Peter C
Post Reply