Member Since: 04 Dec 2018
Location: Cheltenham
Posts: 96
Axle stands for the D4
Firstly happy new year to everyone, I hope you enjoyed the feast of Christmas.
I decided to have a go at replacing the brake pads on the D4. The project never really (ahem) got off the ground. Every time I lifted the car so the rear wheels were free, the suspension would automatically lower so they were on the ground again. In the end I ran out of clearance and had to give up, the axle stands I was using we’re halfords 3tonne advanced.
Am I supposed to put the suspension in short (lock) mode before jacking? There’s not much on this that I can find. I’m guessing I need to go out and get some taller axle stands, but the height you have to lift the car is very disconcerting, and I’d prefer it closer to the ground, especially when lifting one side and then the next. How do you manage this daunting exercise?
If you open one of the doors, the car won't adjust the suspension.
6th Jan 2020 5:43 pm
greg00
Member Since: 08 Dec 2017
Location: Zurich
Posts: 162
I replaced the genuine jack with a Sprinter bottle jack. I think it lifts up to 65cm and works really well. You can get these at a reasonable price from they bay.
6th Jan 2020 9:04 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13597
Personally I’ve always put the suspension into off road height , pulled fuse F26 to prevent the suspension from moving, handbrake applied, then jacking it up
Haven’t had an issue, I use these axle stands
6th Jan 2020 9:08 pm
goodo
Member Since: 04 Dec 2018
Location: Cheltenham
Posts: 96
Which ones are those, presumably the 6T from Machine Mart? 600mm max height as opposed to the 3T which are like the Halfords ones...
Thanks for the fuse tip, I’ll try that one. Even when the car is ‘off’ it still tries to self level.
6th Jan 2020 10:15 pm
goodo
Member Since: 04 Dec 2018
Location: Cheltenham
Posts: 96
greg00 wrote:
I replaced the genuine jack with a Sprinter bottle jack. I think it lifts up to 65cm and works really well. You can get these at a reasonable price from they bay.
Cheers, will have a look
6th Jan 2020 10:15 pm
goodo
Member Since: 04 Dec 2018
Location: Cheltenham
Posts: 96
rrhool wrote:
You just need a taller jack and axle stands! Yes, the suspension has enormous travel, and you need some proper kit to get these off the ground.
I tend to put the front or back on ramps first, and then lift it to put the axle stands under.
Last car I did any real work under was a Peugeot 106 rallye, it weighed about 900kg, and I changed the clutch almost single handed with a bit of rope tied around the engine mount. So yes, this is a totally different ballpark, so you’re right, much beefier equipment is definitely required...
6th Jan 2020 10:19 pm
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13597
goodo wrote:
Which ones are those, presumably the 6T from Machine Mart? 600mm max height as opposed to the 3T which are like the Halfords ones...
Thanks for the fuse tip, I’ll try that one. Even when the car is ‘off’ it still tries to self level.
Apologises should have put a link , these are the ones
Plus meant to say, be careful when u put the fuse back as it will drop to access height
Indeed, I would never ever get under a disco without axle stands
Plus plenty of expertise here to always help
7th Jan 2020 1:28 am
gstuart
Member Since: 21 Oct 2016
Location: kent
Posts: 13597
Also I can’t find it but I read somewhere it should only be jacked up in off road height
Don’t know what the general consensus is
Edit , found the article from the D4 owners manual , plus instead of putting on the hazard lights that’s where I pull the F26 fuse
Click image to enlarge
7th Jan 2020 1:32 am
pagoda
Member Since: 13 Aug 2009
Location: Not London Anymore (or the US for that matter)
Posts: 1923
I have always just lifted the wheel I want to work on by lowering the car and placing a trolley or bottle jack under the control arm, then placing the axle stand under the arm if needed. The front control arms are perfect for a bottle jack with their little divot.PAGODA
7th Jan 2020 2:01 am
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 72771
gstuart wrote:
Personally I’ve always put the suspension into off road height , pulled fuse F26 to prevent the suspension from moving, handbrake applied, then jacking it up
Haven’t had an issue, I use these axle stands
What I used, plus an Alcan (I think) 3t trolley jack to get the reach. Spread the weight between jack & stands when car was up in the air, jobs a good un.
7th Jan 2020 7:26 am
lynalldiscovery
Member Since: 22 Dec 2009
Location: Maidstone
Posts: 7274
Cheap short bottle jack under lower arm, jack the car up, once up a slight way the car will see it is being lifted (ign off and doors closed) and will lift that wheel clear of the floor, place axle stand under the chassis and remove the wheel, simple/fast/easy and works every time.
Sometimes when you lower the bottle jack it gets stuck under the suspension arm, start engine and raise suspension to remove jack.
7th Jan 2020 8:00 am
goodo
Member Since: 04 Dec 2018
Location: Cheltenham
Posts: 96
Can you explain a bit more about your technique, I’m intrigued....
Why does the car lift the wheel off the floor when you jack it up?
8th Jan 2020 10:39 pm
al cope
Member Since: 08 Nov 2005
Location: Oldbury, WM
Posts: 10296
I have always just put mine on offroad height and never pulled any fuses and its never tried changing its height whilst lifting it.
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