Axle stands are specialist tools used to support cars and other vehicles that have been lifted off the ground to access the underside. They are raised using hydraulic jacks - bottle jacks - to carry out maintenance or make repairs including changing the oil or fixing an exhaust pipe.
Do I need axle stands?
With axle stands there are no seals to leak, and the weight of the car is spread over two points. If you use a jack, you should have axle stands, too.
Can I use an axle stand to change a tyre?
Axle stands - also known as jack stands - should be used even if you are using a trolley jack just to change a tyre on your car - unlike mechanical jacks, hydraulic jacks are only meant to raise vehicles, not to bear a load. Check out our range of axle stands and wheel chocks
What does SWL mean on an axle stand?
Safe working load (SWL): This value indicates how much weight each individual axle stand is capable of holding. If you have a large vehicle such as a SUV, minibus or Range Rover, you will need to use a stand which can safely support 2 tonnes or more.
What is a CV axle?
CV axles, or constant velocity axles, come into play. They allow the transmission to drive a car’s wheels and open up a range of motion with bearings. The CV axle is composed of those bearings and rubber boots that can wear out over time.
Do I need an axle stand?
They are designed to support your vehicles weight allowing you to get down and dirty under the car, without the worry of it falling on top of you. Just make sure you have Axle stands that are capable of holding the weight of your vehicle.
Where do I put my axle stands?
0:192:35Sealey Axle Stand Safety Guide - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAlways position the axle stand in a strong area such as a thick steel component lifting on weaker orMoreAlways position the axle stand in a strong area such as a thick steel component lifting on weaker or corroded bodywork can cause serious damage to the vehicle.
How long can you leave a car on axle stands?
You can leave a vehicle on jack stands for as long as you need. Your car could sit on jack stands for days, weeks, months, or even years. It will be fine as long your vehicle is jacked on a flat surface.
Do you need jack stands to change a tire?
If you are stranded or don't have jack stands and need to get a tire changed, you may use only a jack, but this must be done with caution. Don't — at any time — place hands or feet directly under the car, and finish what you start as soon as possible.
Can I jack up my car on the axle?
Use jack stands. If you need to lift all four wheels off the ground for exhaust or transmission work, the rear axle is often the preferred placement for jack stands. Still, you should consult the vehicle's service manual for factory recommendations.
Is it OK to leave car on Jackstands overnight?
If where you are putting the vehicle up at is level ground (driveway, for instance), there is plenty of support under the jack stands (like concrete pad), and you are putting the jack stands at secure locations under your vehicle extended the same amount (so vehicle is level), you will have no issues what-so-ever.
Is it OK to leave a flat tire overnight?
Fixing A Flat Tire You could leave your flat tire overnight but that isn't such a great idea. It would be best to immediately deal with the flat tire and change it. If you simply can't due to any reason, you should at least make sure that the car isn't putting most of its weight on the flat tire.
Should I put my car on jack stands for the winter?
Forget the blocks-use jack stands All tires “flat-spot” during storage (see “Flat Spots Are Real” below), so jack up your vehicle and set it on jack stands as shown. Then lower the tire pressure to 25 psi or so for the winter.
How many axle stands do I need?
If a vehicle weighs 4 tonnes then you would need bare minimum one axle stand per corner with a rating of 1 ton each, but that would be borderline dangerous, so 1.5 or 2t each would be more like it.
Where do you put the axle stand on a BMW?
Put the axle stands where the standard BMW jack goes. There's a jacking pad just behind each front wheel and infront of each rear wheel. This is a good way and keeps then nicely out of the way. Put some small blocks of wood in the jacking points and place the stands under them.
Where do you put the axle stand on a Fiat 500?
Due to its diminutive size, the location where you jack the car up is also the place where you need to put your jack stand. This isn't a problem if you are just jacking your car up briefly to change a tire. The jack supplied by Fiat is sufficient for that.
Where does axle stand go on Ford Focus?
0:221:04Simple how to: Jacking up a Ford Focus - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe front doors.MoreThe front doors.
Safety comes first when working under a car. We put eight pairs of axle stands to the strength test
It's easy to believe that using axle stands is too much bother, but when you consider that 20 people die from cars falling on them every year, you should think again. Every time you lift your motor, you'd be mad to get under it relying on a trolley jack alone. Seals in the jack can fail, sometimes suddenly, with disastrous results.
Verdict
It was a photo finish in the ratchet stand class, despite different designs from Clarke and Kamasa. A slight price edge and a better saddle nudged the Kamasa ahead.
What is an axle stand?
Used in conjunction with a jack, an axle stand lets you enjoy a full view of the underside of your car, safe in the knowledge that the car’s tonnage is being supported. View the Euro Car Parts range today.
Can you use a jack to change a tyre?
A jack is great for changing a tyre, but sometimes you need to give your car a little bit of extra support to examine what damage has been done, particularly if the axle itself is damaged.
What is an axle stand?
Axle stands - also known as jack stands - should be used even if you are using a trolley jack just to change a tyre on your car - unlike mechanical jacks, hydraulic jacks are only meant to raise vehicles, not to bear a load. Check out our range of axle stands and wheel chocks.
Why are axle stands important?
Axle stands are essential devices in every mechanic’s toolkit. They provide you with the reassurance that the vehicle will be well supported, and enable you work in safety underneath it.
Why do you need an axle jack?
Axle jacks are a must if you wish to carry out any other task such an oil change, disc page change or a general maintenance check below your car or other vehicle. Jacks are not meant to bear the weight of a vehicle for an extended period of time, but merely to get it raised.
How many axle stands do you need to lift a car?
If, however, you wish to lifting the whole side or end of a vehicle you will want to use two, or even four axle stands. A simple rule to apply is that whatever you plan to do, you should always have four points of contact for support - each wheel you plan to lift off the ground will require an additional jack stand.
Why do new cars have a mechanical jack?
This is one of the reasons why a new vehicle is likely to come with a mechanical jack and not a hydraulic one - mechanical jacks are suitable for using as structural support. However, mechanical jacks such as some bottle jacks and scissor jacks require more effort to use and tend to lean over when not used properly.
What is SWL on jack stands?
Each auto jack stand has an SWL label which means the safe working load and is the maximum weight the stand will safely support.
How far can an axle stand lift?
You will also need to take into consideration the lifting range of the various sets of axle stand available. Ranges average around 8 inches on the lower end of the scale, making them ideal for smaller cars, and rising to an average of around 26 inches on the upper end for larger vehicles.
What is an Axle?
An axle is a central shaft for a rotating wheel or gear. On wheeled vehicles, the axle may be fixed to the wheels, rotating with them, or fixed to the vehicle, with the wheels rotating around the axle. In the former case, bearings or bushings are provided at the mounting points where the axle is supported.
How Many Axles Does a Car Have?
The number of axles in a car depends on the type of vehicle. In most cases, cars have two axles to turn the wheels. Larger vehicles that carry more passengers and have more wheels can have more axles.
Are Car Axles Covered by Insurance?
If your car axle is damaged or broken as a result of an accident or hazard, it may be covered by your car insurance (depending on your specific policy). Damage from wear and tear or aging is not covered by car insurance.
What Is a CV Axle and What Is Its Role?
For those who aren’t and haven’t— what’s wrong with you, go now —the engine generates power and the transmission transmits it to the wheels.
How to coax a car axle?
You can use your mallet or a hammer wrapped in a towel to carefully coax the axle into position.
What Are The Signs Of a Failing CV Axle?
When this happens, the grease and lubricant that is packed inside can leak out, or dirt and debris from the road can creep their way in.
Why does my CV axle make a clicking noise?
A: If you hear a clicking or grinding sound while turning, there’s a good chance your CV axle is starting to go. The noise may also be present while accelerating, but it’s most noticeable when turning the steering wheel.
How long does a CV axle last?
A: CV axles are usually covered by the manufacturer’s powertrain warranty, which should have you covered for at least four to five years and 50,000 to 60,000 miles. As for whether or not the axle makes it past the warranty period, there are many factors that can impact its lifespan. Driving over rough terrain where there are rocks and debris can shorten the life of a CV axle, because there are more opportunities to damage the rubber boot that protects the moving parts. The same goes for driving in snowy or icy conditions, where salt and sand can also damage the rubber. In some cases, the rubber just dries out and cracks, which has the same effect.
How to remove a wheel from a car?
Make sure the vehicle is in Park or that it is in gear with the parking brake set. Jack up the car and remove the wheel on the side where you will be working. Locate the axle nut. It will be in the direct center of the hub or wheel assembly where you removed the wheel .
Do you need an impact wrench for axle nuts?
An impact wrench isn’t required for this job, but it’ll make your life a whole lot easier. It can also make this job safer, since you won’t have to worry as much about torquing the axle nut.
