Do all bottle jacks work on their side?

Al2O3 · Jun 23, 2014

Fitting a new gear box cross member and it does not fit between chassis rails. On my rebuild thread many have said that this is often the case. I don't fancy hitting it with a hammer and thought I'd go with the suggestion of jacking the rails apart slightly. My trolley jack will only operate when in the standard horizontal position. Argos do a 4 tonne one for £19.99. Not a huge amount of money, but don't want to buy one to find they don't work on their side either!
Does anyone know or have one to test?

trax · Jun 23, 2014

mine do to a point, then run out of fizz.. so in general i'd say no.

worked enough to use that and a bit of wood to widen the rails though... but it was a pita to balance it on it's side

Paul D · Jun 23, 2014

I'd use a Hi-lift with the spreader attachment ..

Al2O3 · Jun 23, 2014

The trolley jack stopped pumping immediately I turned it.

Thor1950 · Jun 23, 2014

if where the handle goes into is facing down. This is where the oil is. If in the up position the pump will not pick up the oil

Paul D · Jun 23, 2014

Doh! Hi-lift wouldn't need the spreader/clamper attachment ..

Al2O3 · Jun 23, 2014

Got the high lift out, but the tube that slots in to the chassis folds in the wrong way.

If I turn the trolley jack the other way up the pumping end will be near the floor and I won't get the handle in.
Sounds like a bottle jack may rotate in to a working position

fanatic · Jun 23, 2014

Provided bottle jack pump on bottom so oil can flow into it it should operate

Freelaner · Jun 23, 2014

it must be low on oil as the system is usually completely full.

gravity should have no role to play in fluid dynamics imho

Al2O3 · Jun 24, 2014

Sounds good. Trip to Argos it is.

Al2O3 · Jun 24, 2014

Got tempted by Amazon. 2 tonner for £7.49

aaronmorris · Jun 24, 2014

Al2O3 said:
Got tempted by Amazon. 2 tonner for £7.49

If it saves you money, Why not

Especially if you're not in a rush.

Trewey · Jun 24, 2014

I use an old-school screw type bottle jack.

Iann · Jun 24, 2014

Trewey said:
I use an old-school screw type bottle jack.

The ones out the boot of most cars will do at a push (for a push)
if you have a scissor jack you are laughing

MaxyMan · Jun 24, 2014

Use normal bottle jacks on their sides for removing the crossmembers all the time.
Have worked fine for me!

jimwyllie · Jun 25, 2014

I Spread chassis to get gearbox x member in with a 1.5 tonne Halfords bottle jack exactly as you want to do. It does not need much push to spread chassis members enough. Pack out with timber so you do not use much of stroke of Jack, they will work on side but are not made to do so

Al2O3 · Jun 26, 2014

The jack arrived today, Wednesday.
Canny little toy for £7.49
Going away for weekend to friends 50th birthday, so crossmember will have to wait. :-(

Do all bottle jacks work on their side?

Al2O3

Well-Known Member

trax

.

Paul D

Old, nackered 'n broke, but the Landy is fine . :)

Al2O3

Well-Known Member

Thor1950

Well-Known Member

Paul D

Old, nackered 'n broke, but the Landy is fine . :)

Al2O3

Well-Known Member

fanatic

RESPECT IS EARNED, BEATINGS ARE FREE ;-)

Freelaner

Landy Driver

Al2O3

Well-Known Member

Al2O3

Well-Known Member

aaronmorris

Head's a shed

Trewey

Cockernee, Pasty munchin bastid.

Iann

Active Member

MaxyMan

Well-Known Member

jimwyllie

Active Member

Al2O3

Well-Known Member

Similar threads