I am going to remove the rusty U brace under my bug but
only have a trolley jack. Where is the best place to jack the
car?

Does anyone have a under car pic showing the brace?

 

Do you have stands and a mate handy?

 

I have a mate who has stands, why?

Mot on Friday morn so need the brace off.

 

Jacking points
One at the front of the sill one at the back,
I can lift one side of the car just from jacking at the front point!

 

Sorry, I should have been more specific.

When I said where to jack the car I meant other than the
actual jack points as I don't want to flatten the seams at
said points.

Also, what's the best place to put jack stands?

 

One option is...but no good as you need it tomorrow...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rubber-pad...-/261424568128
Stands - Wishbone will be fine for the amount of time it's in the air

 

My sill jacking points are totally rooted.
I use wishbones on the front to jack and would probably use the rear/chassis end of them if I was to place a stand.
I'd probably stick a couple of tyres under the sills as well if working under the car.
Belt and braces approach for me.

 

under the rear diff

 

I always use the jacking points to get it in the air, just put a piece of wood on the the jack head.

 

How many bolts hold the plastic undertray in place
as I am struggling to get it off?

I removed three at the front but seems there is one hidden
away near the rear centre of the tray but can't see it.

 

And that kids is the simple answer

 

+1


Anyone who bothers to look at the owner's manual...or download the workshop manual will know this. Hell, its even on Autodata (which is often poo).

The front trolley jack point is on the front subframe behind the sump (need a low profile jack to get under the bumper though). The rear is the diff.

Using a trolley jack on the sills will bend the seams if not used with a sill adapter. It should only be jacked by the sill using an adapter, the vehicle jack or a 2post lift (which spreads the load so they don't get damaged).

 

Always use my trolley jack in the normal sill points, never flattened a sill. They are rock solid.

Wouldn't be so sure about jacking on the diff. Have done this once or twice with some wood on the jack head to spread the load, but always a bum clenching moment as you don't want to crack the diff casing.

Once up in the air you must put axle stands ander the bottom arm chassis points (or somewhere else solid).

 

I do what the manual states.


This is what typically happens when using a unadapated trolley jack on the sills (note the irony that photograph taker is still using a trolley jack!):


Unless it has a pad that's in good condition. Most jacking pads fall to peices after 20 or so uses.

 

Well I struggled and swore and bled but no matter what I was
unable to remove the brace as all but one of the nuts was
solidly in place(in the pouring rain).

**** it, if it fails the test I think I may just get rid as it is costing
more and more and I have only had it since end of December and
it seems to be problem after problem.

 

I use the scissor jack at the front to get it up enough .Stick a 75x75 block under the tyre .Then use the low level trolley jack with a piece a wood on lifting cup and raise the car using the horseshoe/sub frame .Then piece of wood in between axle stand and horseshoe/sub frame .Back wise under the diff and axle stands either under trailing arms or diff support arm fixing ie near to sill

That sill will straighten up with a few movements of a shifter/adjustable

 

dont lose faith bud. if you cant get it off pay a garage to do it. they have ramps to get it up in the air and air tools to get it off.

 

Just really p'd off, thought it was gonna be a doddle but hey ho.

 

had a few issues myself lately fitting parts and having problems. i just remember how good it feels blasting along the b roads when its running well.

 

Doesn't sound like a problem worth worrying about to me matey, get the car jacked up you can tell by looking which points will be strong enough etc and if you've not snapped the bolt that's got you stuck you're not trying hard enough! There is not a single bolt on a car that won't crack off with a power bar unless it's your missus using the spanners?

Get it sorted lad!

I must be lucky with the place I use for mots.

Mick

 

It failed the mot on handbrake on one side not working
and rusty rear inner wheel arches so hopefully I can get these
sorted next week with my mechanic.