1.25t Trolley Jack for jacking 1 wheel on 1.7t F31?

Minty · 08-12-2016, 08:36 AM

As per the title I have a 1.25t trolley jack which I have been using to jack only 1 corner at a time. It's basically used for swapping over my summer wheels to winters and vice versa.

I cannot find any definitive information relating to this but I believe the maximum lift capacity of 1.25t should be more than sufficient to lift 1 corner at a time on a 1.7t F31. I use one of 4 lift mounting points underneath the car when jacking.

There probably is a physics formula for calculating this...

Should I continue to use the 1.25t jack or stop being a tight git and buy a 2t + jobby?

moonshine · 08-12-2016, 09:25 AM

it might work OK as you are not lifting the entire weight, but you are possibly close to overloading the piston and worst case is it could collapse either during a lift or when a wheel is off.
neither would be good.

personally I would not use it as the consequences of a failure could be serious, Either injury to you or damage to the car (or both)

buy a £50 low profile trolley jack and be safe

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clar...FYcV0wod2WIJIA

the

Watsey · 08-12-2016, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonshine

it might work OK as you are not lifting the entire weight, but you are possibly close to overloading the piston and worst case is it could collapse either during a lift or when a wheel is off.
neither would be good.

personally I would not use it as the consequences of a failure could be serious, Either injury to you or damage to the car (or both)

buy a £50 low profile trolley jack and be safe

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clar...FYcV0wod2WIJIA

the

That's exactly the one I have. Works well.

OP, be aware that the saddle (the cup that the jack point puck sits in) is smaller diameter than 'full size' units. To keep the puck in place I drilled through it and cable tied it to the saddle.

ontheway · 08-12-2016, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Minty

Should I continue to use the 1.25t jack or stop being a tight git and buy a 2t + jobby?

Well, you should NEVER trust a jack, any jack. Repeat that ten times. Never get under a car on a jack....

I can't imagine that a 1.25t trolley jack is worse than a normal scissor jack.

Buy those f30 jack pads ... and never trust a jack....

Other option is to have a jackstand handy...

Minty · 08-12-2016, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonshine

it might work OK as you are not lifting the entire weight, but you are possibly close to overloading the piston and worst case is it could collapse either during a lift or when a wheel is off.
neither would be good.

personally I would not use it as the consequences of a failure could be serious, Either injury to you or damage to the car (or both)

buy a £50 low profile trolley jack and be safe

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clar...FYcV0wod2WIJIA

the

Thanks for the replies - I know I should buy another, it's just not worth the risk for such a small outlay.

Just to be clear, I value my safety and would never get underneath a car supported by a trolley jack only

NISFAN · 08-12-2016, 10:48 AM

1.25 ton jack is perfectly fine for lifting one corner. Provided it is a reputable make. I've heard a number of far eastern imports are a little ambitious in their claims. For proof of this look at a jack from Sealey or Clarke (rebranded far eastern units) then find the identical non brand unit. You will notice Sealey and Clarke generally down rate the safe working loads.

Always use jack stands.

08-12-2016, 08:36 AM	#1
Minty First Lieutenant 156 Rep 365 Posts Drives: G01 M40i Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Buckinghamshire iTrader: (0)	1.25t Trolley Jack for jacking 1 wheel on 1.7t F31? As per the title I have a 1.25t trolley jack which I have been using to jack only 1 corner at a time. It's basically used for swapping over my summer wheels to winters and vice versa. I cannot find any definitive information relating to this but I believe the maximum lift capacity of 1.25t should be more than sufficient to lift 1 corner at a time on a 1.7t F31. I use one of 4 lift mounting points underneath the car when jacking. There probably is a physics formula for calculating this... Should I continue to use the 1.25t jack or stop being a tight git and buy a 2t + jobby?
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08-12-2016, 09:25 AM	#2
moonshine Lieutenant Colonel 849 Rep 1,858 Posts Drives: 718 Boxster S Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Glasgow iTrader: (0)	it might work OK as you are not lifting the entire weight, but you are possibly close to overloading the piston and worst case is it could collapse either during a lift or when a wheel is off. neither would be good. personally I would not use it as the consequences of a failure could be serious, Either injury to you or damage to the car (or both) buy a £50 low profile trolley jack and be safe https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clar...FYcV0wod2WIJIA the
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08-12-2016, 10:48 AM	#6
NISFAN Major General 3487 Rep 9,709 Posts Drives: BMW M2 Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Bedford UK iTrader: (0)	1.25 ton jack is perfectly fine for lifting one corner. Provided it is a reputable make. I've heard a number of far eastern imports are a little ambitious in their claims. For proof of this look at a jack from Sealey or Clarke (rebranded far eastern units) then find the identical non brand unit. You will notice Sealey and Clarke generally down rate the safe working loads. Always use jack stands.
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