Jim Howley

I have previously enquired about getting some flat top jack stands from the US but they would not ship them to the UK so I have come up with an alternative.

I used a set of Halfords jack stands which are not V shaped and have a convenient hole drilled in the top, 4 Ice hockey pucks and some nuts and bolts.



I drilled a hole through the centre of each puck for the bolt and a larger hole which I only sunk deep enough to accept the nut. I have 13mm nuts and drilled a 12mm hole and persuaded the nut to go in with a hammer.



I put the bolt through the hole in the top of the jack stand with a washer on each side and then screwed a nut down on top to hold the bolt in place.



After that it was simply a case of screwing on the hockey puck. Total time less than 45 mins and because the stands were on sale the total cost just under £12 per pair.

Wachuko

Nice

Just keep a few more pucks around. The tend to break apart with use. Don't ask me how I know...

Jim Howley

Actually there was a minimum order value on the website so I had to buy 10 pucks to hit the right amount so I have plenty spare

Gelignite

I found the same problem in UK and used araldite and wood to modify my stands, which works well too. I have even found a way to get the stand under the rear jacking point next the the trolley jack and then get the jack out of the way. I'll post some pics after the weekend if anyone is interested. It does withstand a good shake of the car with no movement and wood is very strong under compression.

Bluey964

Did you get the ice hockey pucks from a UK website? I've been looking for some for similar reasons and haven't found anywhere yet that does them?

Jim Howley

Yep I got them from The Hockey Stop (no affiliation blah blah blah) but like I say there was a minimum order of £10 and they are only 99p each. I want to keep a couple spare but if you want I can let you have 4 to save you paying for a whole bunch if you don't want. Let me know if you want them and I'll find out what they will cost to send them.

Ag02M5

Nice work.

I think I would cut off the turned up edges on the jack to give a little more support under the puck with it resting flat. Would have to drill a shallow hole in the puck to clear that lower nut.

RT

AOW162435

Or chamfer the lower eges of the pucks to nestle within the cradle. A bench grinder makes quick work of this...


Andreas

Jim Howley

I did consider cutting the pucks down to fit within the edges of the jack but I figured it would probably be ok the way it was because of the nut under the puck . The nut hammered into the underside of the puck screws tight up against the first nut supporting that central area. Besides, I don't intend on spending lots of time under the car but now I have the flexibility to have all four wheels off the car at once should I need it.

zero9nine

Anyone see these forsale in the states?

Jim Howley

Do a search for ESCO jack stands and you will find them available.

Harry Apps

Great idea. So where do you place your jack for raising and lowering the car?

Jim Howley

Place the jack under the rear jacking point at the back of the side sill. Raise the car far enough to place the jack stand under the front jacking point and drop it down. Do the other side so the front is on both jack stands then I place the jack under the engine and jack it up high enough to place the rear stands under the rear jacking points on the side sills. Takes around 10 mins to get the car off the ground and all 4 wheels off.

zero9nine

Jim,

Can you tell me where you purchased those stands and how much you paid. They look like a great alternative to the ESCO.

Thanks
John

zero9nine

I found them:

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/s...Id_165727#dtab

Damn, I wish we had these here in the US. they are perfect. Maybe Jim will mail me a set? ;-)

John