| [ Total Views: 1540 | Total Replies: 9 | Thread Id: 87806 ] |
|
|
 Iris-the-lovebug
Casual Dubber
Posts: 47
Threads: 10
Registered: April 20th, 2010
Member Is Offline
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Cruising
|
| posted on December 27th, 2010 at 09:25 AM |
|
|
Original Bug Jacks
I'm a little curious,
I read in a VW book that "No self-respecting Beetle owner would ever use the factory issue jack"
Is this true???? If so Why??? And what sort of Jack would you use???
Thanks
|
|
|
 matberry
Super Moderator
Go hard or go home
Posts: 8114
Threads: 134
Registered: March 7th, 2006
Member Is Offline
Location: Cooroy Qld
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue
Mood: enjoying waving at all my Kombi buddies from my T3
|
| posted on December 27th, 2010 at 09:32 AM |
|
|
Guess it's an opinion thing.....I'd use it, they are great, very nicely engineered, BUT the jacking point can often be rotten or at least not up to
the job, and the car needs to be chocked as damage could occur if the car moves at all whilst jacked or jacking  .
What book was that in?
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE
 |
|
|
Joel
Scirocco Rare
Now containing 100% E-Wang
Posts: 9368
Threads: 211
Registered: February 14th, 2006
Member Is Offline
Location: Northern Rivers NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Purple
Mood: Tact Level 0.00
|
| posted on December 27th, 2010 at 10:38 AM |
|
|
The wind up ones in the mid 70s werent too bad but the ratchet climbing ones before that are called widow makers for good reason.
|
|
|
68AutoBug
A.k.a.: Lee Noonan
Aircooled Master
Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138% - YIKES --
Posts: 11654
Threads: 449
Registered: August 31st, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: SCONE in UPPER HUNTER VALLEY NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Yellow
Mood: Really Mentally Ill - all of the time -
|
 posted on December 27th, 2010 at 06:05 PM |
|
|
| Quote: | Originally
posted by Iris-the-lovebug
I'm a little curious,
I read in a VW book that "No self-respecting Beetle owner would ever use the factory issue jack"
Is this true???? If so Why??? And what sort of Jack would you use???
Thanks
|
Well
I have been using VW jacks on VWs since My father had beetles when I was a teenager...
I still use one if I need a jack on the road...
and have gotten under My beetle many times whilst using the VW jack...
and I have never used the wind up VW jack...
always the earlier types & some were made by Bilstein...
I have Never seen one fail and have never heard of one failing
once they are up... they stay up...
early ones used to go down in one go... a bit scarey
but when you are used to that.... You make sure you aren't under the car when You lower it....
as other jacks go up & down slowly...
the weak point is the jack bracket...
but as We don't have salt put on the roads as in Europe and the USA/Canada in the winter..
Our jacking brackets are usually OK...
If We were in the UK etc...
I probably wouldn't use one either...
but in Australia ... YES YES YES....
LEE
- [size=4]Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY--- [/size]
|
|
|
waveman1500
Custom Title Time!
Also rides a Honda
Posts: 1346
Threads: 13
Registered: December 17th, 2009
Member Is Offline
Location: Adelaide
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
|
| posted on December 28th, 2010 at 12:17 PM |
|
|
The right-hand jacking point on my bug was somehow mangled by a previous owner, most likely by putting a floor jack or two-post hoist under it without
a rubber block. Although it isn't rusty it's all out of shape. I tried to straighten it out a bit and use a factory jack on it, but the car twisted
forward on the jack and wobbled around all over the place, crushing the drivers' side running board. When the jacking points are in perfect condition
the factory jacking system is satisfactory, but with age, rust and misuse/impacts from rocks, it is easy for the jacking points to deteriorate
dangerously. The jacks themselves are perfectly fine.
|
|
|
vwjon
Fahrvergnugen
Posts: 914
Threads: 101
Registered: July 16th, 2006
Member Is Offline
Location: perth W.A
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: oily n thirsty
|
| posted on December 28th, 2010 at 01:16 PM |
|
|
the factory jack is for EMERGENCY work only, IE changing a flat and thats all!! they are NOT designed for any other work to be carried out on the
vehicle.
IF you really need you car jacked up for any reason, a bottle jack under the front or rear torsion beams is far better than the factory unit, a better
option is a trolly jack in the same areas, and IF you are going to go under the car at all use a jack stand, a physical restraint will save your
life.
yes i know its easy to say but my mate..... ive done.... we've never..... etc etc..... but safety is utmost if you wish to claim your pension.
I work in a factory with a guy who hoses down electrics (motors, switches, junction boxes,sensors, etc etc) i tried to explain this is not a good
idea, your heart can be stopped with 5milli-amps, he is cleaning stuff with 30 amps running thru it, his answer... but i've done this for 4 years and
nothings happened. yeah well i dont want to be around when it does happen!
PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN A CURE!! we already know the cure for crushed mechanics etc!! if you missed it read this post AGAIN!!!
3 1959 cadillacs
1 musso
2 early notchbacks
2 split kombis
2 split panels
1 split ute
1 low light panel
1 ex-pmg bay
1 country buggy
1 beetle ute
1 14" syncro caravelle
1 16" syncro doka
1 golf cabrio
1 vw camper trailer
2 3meter bombs
|
|
|
HappyDaze
A.k.a.: Greg Mackie
Son of Jim - Creator of Good
Superannuated
Posts: 2887
Threads: 141
Registered: June 13th, 2009
Member Is Offline
Location: Southern Highlands NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue ( Default )
Mood: Happy enough
|
| posted on December 28th, 2010 at 02:40 PM |
|
|
They make a good 'light-duty' porto-power. A few odd lengths of pipe, and blocks of wood is all you need. I even used one on the No. 8 Beetle
re-build.
I'd rather wear a Beetle out by racing it than by polishing it!
|
|
|
matberry
Super Moderator
Go hard or go home
Posts: 8114
Threads: 134
Registered: March 7th, 2006
Member Is Offline
Location: Cooroy Qld
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue
Mood: enjoying waving at all my Kombi buddies from my T3
|
| posted on December 28th, 2010 at 07:31 PM |
|
|
And for resetting rear torsions
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE
|
|
|
68AutoBug
A.k.a.: Lee Noonan
Aircooled Master
Beetle Restorer - Experience over 138% - YIKES --
Posts: 11654
Threads: 449
Registered: August 31st, 2002
Member Is Offline
Location: SCONE in UPPER HUNTER VALLEY NSW
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Yellow
Mood: Really Mentally Ill - all of the time -
|
| posted on December 28th, 2010 at 11:28 PM |
|
|
semi automatic beetle
VWJON
I only use My VW jacks when out on the road....
I never use them at home when working on the car...
always use a trolley jack and jack stands...
fellow hosing down electrical gear YIKES
One day it will bite Him.... and He may NOT get Up....
OH&S Safety at work... YIKES...
Lee
PS: the jacking point on a beetle is a bit under designed or designed just to do that job with everything being 100% OK
after 30 +++ Years they are not always 100% OK....
and if the jack has marked the running board....
the problem has started....
When I first got My beetle on the road I kept forgetting that it wouldn't start in gear....
so, I would jack up the car, and I would climb under and start the engine with a screwdriver...
even with the handbrake on the car wanted to go....
as soon as the engine started... [ car still in gear] lol
Lee
- [size=4]Helping keep Air Cooled VWs on the road - location: SCONE in the Upper Hunter Valley - Northern NSW 320 kms NNW of SYDNEY--- [/size]
|
|
|
matberry
Super Moderator
Go hard or go home
Posts: 8114
Threads: 134
Registered: March 7th, 2006
Member Is Offline
Location: Cooroy Qld
Theme: UltimaBB Pro Blue
Mood: enjoying waving at all my Kombi buddies from my T3
|
| posted on December 29th, 2010 at 10:03 PM |
|
|
| Quote: | Originally
posted by 68AutoBug
so, I would jack up the car, and I would climb under and start the engine with a screwdriver...
even with the handbrake on the car wanted to go....
as soon as the engine started... [ car still in gear] lol
Lee
|
   
Matt Berry Motorsports...air cooled advice, repairs and mods Ph 0408 704 662
OFF-ROAD,CIRCUIT,DRAG,STREET,ENDURANCE
|
|
|
