Ariel.Club Forum

No worries, I understand your opinion and point of view and basically I follow the factorys recommendations.

With a hydraulic jack you cannot reach the jacking point I use on the image above because it is too close to the wheel.
So "not recommended" in this particular example could also mean "not taken into account".

From a mechanical point of view looking at force transmissions I would expect my jacking point to be even better than the handbook one, because it is quite precisely below the point, where the spring force from the shock absorbers is transmitted through the pushrod.
So you kind of neutralise the forces at this point (jack up, shock springs push rod down) and there is no other force to the suspension than gravity to/from the wheel (being held in the air) and the force from the spring like when standing still.

At the handbook jacking point you (theoretically) bend that tube, because you have one force up roughly in the middle (the jack) and two forces down (fixing at chassis and fixing of shock spring pushrod) at the ends of that tube.

I hope, my typing is reproducible. I am certainly missing some english words here ;)


Perhaps [mention]Henry JS [/mention] wants to share his thoughts. Just forgot, how the "call" button works...


BTW:
Just found the scissor jack in the following link.

[url]https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-Tools-755985-Scissor-Tonne/dp/B071WQT552/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=755985&qid=1620406257&sr=8-2[/url]

Mine is from a Honda Civic and I do not know the one in the link, but it would be suitible for the job I guess and only 90mm high. So if the price is no argument against it ;) , it might be worth a try.
A piece of soft wood will prevent damage to the coating for the jacking point I use or a piece of anti-slip-mat or rubber for the handbook jacking point.

[quote=K20A2 post_id=304716 time=1620396892 user_id=4144]
[quote=Fastlane post_id=304715 time=1620394862 user_id=5508]
The scissor jack is fine, but this jacking position isn't recommended as it can upset the geometry. The jack should be as near to the chassis as possible.
[/quote]

I agree, this is not the jacking position as in the handbook.
However I cannot imagine any reason, why this would upset the geometry.(?)
[/quote]

I would imagine (you can always check with the factory) because the car is designed to spread its weight on each front corner via 2 wishbones, 3 rod ends and 4 bolts/metalistic bushes. Putting the jack near the wheel puts localised and unnecessary stress on the lower wishbone, its metalistic bushes and the lower rod end. Atoms are very sensitive to even very small changes in any of these and so not jacking them up as suggested risks (at best) the geometry gradually being out and at worse long term stress damage and potentially catastrophic failure.

Ultimately it's your car and your risk, but it's hardly a challenge doing it as suggested...

[quote=Fastlane post_id=304715 time=1620394862 user_id=5508]
The scissor jack is fine, but this jacking position isn't recommended as it can upset the geometry. The jack should be as near to the chassis as possible.
[/quote]

I agree, this is not the jacking position as in the handbook.
However I cannot imagine any reason, why this would upset the geometry.(?)

[quote=K20A2 post_id=304713 time=1620392377 user_id=4144]
Due to cobblestone pavement a common hydraulic jack unfortunately was not usable for me, but I am quite happy with a scissor jack.
Mine is only 82mm high and due to the little weight of the Atom it handles very well and quick.
[/quote]

The scissor jack is fine, but this jacking position isn't recommended as it can upset the geometry. The jack should be as near to the chassis as possible.

[attachment=0]Screenshot_20210507-143944_Gallery.jpg[/attachment]Due to cobblestone pavement a common hydraulic jack unfortunately was not usable for me, but I am quite happy with a scissor jack.
Mine is only 82mm high and due to the little weight of the Atom it handles very well and quick.

[quote=Sledgehammer post_id=304699 time=1620302395 user_id=5991]
Hi, rear jacking point is the rear bar in the middle, so it jacks the hole rear at once.[/quote]

This [b]isn't[/b] recommended by the factory. From the Atom 3 handbook:
"The rear jacking point should be at the most forward of the two suspension mounts. Always jack as near to the chassis as possible (looking out for wiring, pipes etc.).

Try Machine Mart for a low level cheap jack (£42), that what I have used...

https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/clarke-ctj2000lpb-2-tonne-low-profile-trolley-/

Under the lower arm front frame fixing point, like in the handbook.

Thanks. Where do you jack the front from, near the wheel or as per the Atom handbook ?

Hi, rear jacking point is the rear bar in the middle, so it jacks the hole rear at once. I use a big jack(to get it high enough in the front for oil change) it fits under the rear bar, for front jacking i use plastik ramps (8cm) then it fits under.

Anyone have good link to a low profile jack that works and doesn't cost the earth. The Sealey one on that link doesn't seem to exist anymore, can find their 2 tonne one but seems overkill - must be something cheaper that fits ?!

Also, can someone confirm where the rear jacking point is? I have the handbook but the image doesn't overly help...is it being jacked from the side of the car or from behind - looks like from the rear ?

Luckily I have spare set of rims and wheels so assuming I can work out how to jack the thing up without ruining it then I should be ok !!!

Top tip: put some timber or a brick in front of each wheel and drive up onto the material of choice.

Thanks! I was looking at some inflatable ones on Amazon. What a ball ache!

Here's some pointers re suitable car jacks for the Atom :-

[url]https://ariel.club/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=17765&p=297737&hilit=jack+low#p297737[/url]

Ideally, you need to find a fitter who will fit them by hand and not use one of those machines that grinds the edges off your lovely rims.

I dont have a jack low enough to get get my car off the ground!