Jacking point on auto, is it different?

[mimithemini]

I've got to buy a new jack, thinking a bottle jack? Is that the right one?

Where abouts do you jack the car up from at the front? Is it the front subframe, if so what area, as mine seems to have wires running along it. I was thinking this is because it's auto?

Thanks for any help,
Leonora

[kalkat]

You jack an auto up in the same place as any other Mini. The best area on the front is on the subframe where the bottom suspension arm is (NOT the ties bar). On the back, jack on the big flat area of subframe you see on each side from underneath.

As to the type of jack, I use a trolley jack with a piece of thickish ply to protect the subframe. You will struggle to get a bottle jack under the car in the right place.

Trolley jacks can be found for very reasonable prices - I paid £15 for mine from Nettos. Have a look around before you buy

Emma

[Admin/Founder 2]

Hi Leonora
great to see you here Couldnt agree more with Emma trolley jack is the way to go I got mine for around £25 from Machine Mart though they do the same version cheaper without the heavy duty case

Though im not a fan of Bottle jacks i do sometimes wonder if they would be more usefull to carry in the car at all times due to their compact size?

Anything has to be better than the pathetic jacks that were Original Equipment

Boris has a post type Jack that fits in the Original Jacking points whereas my old Clubby "Spud" also had his Original Jack but that was a scissor type and much better to use ;D

Huggz
Jodie

[mimithemini]

Thanks everyone!! It must have been trolley jack I was thinking of. Will have a look about.

[asahartz]

Problem with bottle jacks is that they're usually too tall to go under a Mini. They do have their uses, I usually make use of one to help lift the ball joints apart once I've split them.

The original jacking point on all Minis is in the sill; it's rarely of any use because it's usually rotted away, and few people bother to replace it along with the sill.

I think it would be a good idea to photograph the recommended jacking areas. I'm intending to paint them yellow on my cars for the benefit of muppet tyre fitters - last year I had to rush into one fitting bay to stop the guy who was about to jack on the rear subby crossmember!

[998auto]

Jacking points are the same.

I use a trolley jack but wouldn't get under the car with just a jack I recommend you invest in some axle stands as well.

I would also try and avoid using the sump as a jacking point which some people do and stick to solid areas on your subframe as Kalkat said with a piece of wood to cushion it.

Same on the back use the subframe but again use a piece of wood as it is possible to damage it.

998auto

[mimithemini]

I ended up buying a scissor jack, as there were no trolley jacks left in stock at machine mart, it was only a tenner and it works really well.
Was just a bit scared about using the subframe as when I first had a look there was a lot of cables running along it. Managed to find a clear spot though.
Thanks again for replies!!
Leonora