Rhino ramps and jack slippage. - LotusTalk

ANIMAL · 10-28-2009, 01:50 PM

Hi guys,

I used the search and I came across a lot of posts of the jack slipping off the car when trying to get the elise high enough to slip a rhino ramp under the rears. I haven't bought any of the tools yet (ramps/jack) and wondered if anyone has a better idea of what I should buy to avoid this problem. I would like to use ramps instead of stands for the moment and I don't want to drive up on to the ramps. I was planing on getting the harbor freight jack and a pair of rhino ramps. The rhino ramps I was going to buy were the model 8000? Is that the normal one to buy for these cars?

I'm a little paranoid about the car which is why I'm asking if there is another tool I can look into that make jacking up the car a little easier (not interested in the rear jack bracket on here). Should I not worry so much and just get the jack and ramps? I got so freaked out when I read about all the jacks slipping out from under the car.

Thanks guys!

lwein · 10-28-2009, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ANIMAL

Hi guys,

I used the search and I came across a lot of posts of the jack slipping off the car when trying to get the elise high enough to slip a rhino ramp under the rears. I haven't bought any of the tools yet (ramps/jack) and wondered if anyone has a better idea of what I should buy to avoid this problem. I would like to use ramps instead of stands for the moment and I don't want to drive up on to the ramps. I was planing on getting the harbor freight jack and a pair of rhino ramps. The rhino ramps I was going to buy were the model 8000? Is that the normal one to buy for these cars?

I'm a little paranoid about the car which is why I'm asking if there is another tool I can look into that make jacking up the car a little easier (not interested in the rear jack bracket on here). Should I not worry so much and just get the jack and ramps? I got so freaked out when I read about all the jacks slipping out from under the car.

Thanks guys!

raceramps.com----------pricey but they WORK,even on a lowered S240 with the stock splitter! Just drive up onto them,no jacks.

kverges · 10-28-2009, 02:35 PM

I am baffled as to why anyone would prefer ramps to jack stands. First, after you jack up the car, you have to set it down on a wheel, which will allow the car to settle lower due to suspension travel and of course you have just eliminated brake, tires, and suspension work from the realm of possibilty. Plus, ramps take up more storage room that jack stands. If you don't want to deal with undertray issues, with a good soft pad (I actually wrap old t-shirts around the tops of my jack stands as the polyurethane covers I have tried are no more durable) you can place the jack stand underneath the a-arm where it is reinforced for the shock absorber and support it by the suspension without hurting anything.

Just get jackstands when at HF. HF has some nice aluminum jobs that I keep in the race trailer that I think you will like.

zygotesoup · 10-28-2009, 03:01 PM

i have rhino ramps and have never had a problem with the car slipping off the jack... or even coming close.

i much prefer having the car on ramps as opposed to stands whenever possible, they seem much, much safer than using jack stands and they are pretty much retard proof. even so i place one ramp facing on one direction and the one on the opposite side facing the other direction. can never have too many fail safes when working underneath a car.

just get the rhino ramps... they are the bees knees

zygotesoup · 10-28-2009, 03:03 PM

oh and for your other question, get the 8000 model, the 12000 is totally unnecessary/overkill for pretty much any car you could ever work on

zygotesoup · 10-28-2009, 03:06 PM

kinda hot in these rhinooooos

YouTube - Ace Ventura rhino scene!!!

Baysailor · 10-28-2009, 03:07 PM

How come you don't want to drive up on them? I have the 8000's and backup them all the time with no problems what so ever. Super easy to do drop either panel and do oil changes, swap an exhaust, what ever.

For brakes, suspension work, etc... I agree with kverges on just using jack stands. I have Jim Clayton's Jack Helper which makes it even easier to get the back on jack stands.

Chris Mackey · 10-28-2009, 03:12 PM

What Baysailor said.

...m... · 10-28-2009, 05:32 PM

...likewise...

MikeG911 · 10-28-2009, 05:48 PM

changed the oil this weekend with rhino ramps and jack, not issues. There is a video on youtube - I had no issues. Good luck - be safe.

zygotesoup · 10-28-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeG911

changed the oil this weekend with rhino ramps and jack, not issues. There is a video on youtube - I had no issues. Good luck - be safe.

YouTube - Lotus Elise Oil Change - Quick

zygotesoup · 10-28-2009, 07:56 PM

however, he should have lowered the car before adding oil and checking the level, but lets not nit picks

Fast Toys · 10-28-2009, 08:55 PM

Check out the Race Ramp line at Fast Toys Performance Parts . They make some great products that a sturdy, non slip and will not scratch up your elise/exige.

jallingt · 10-28-2009, 09:15 PM

FWIW. I always jack the car up and lower it onto the ramps or jackstands. Not much of a hassle. I have never driven the car onto ramps. When I need to take a wheel off and get under the car I put both wheels on the ramps then replace one ramp with a stand.
No problem. have fun with the work!

espritv8 · 10-29-2009, 10:47 AM

i agree with using the rhino ramps, and jack stands when appropriate too.

tip for the ramps, i painted my garage floor, and the ramps tended to slip. so i went to wal-mart and got a 5'x7' carpet piece to lay down under the ramps. no more kicking out the ramps, also i roll-up the carpet to store.

also if you are unsure of backing up on the ramps, get a small mirror and place it to where you can see the wheels.

good luck,
tom

TimMullen · 10-29-2009, 11:22 AM

I've had my car slip off the jack (luckily no damage!) while lifting it to put it on RhinoRamps. Lifting one side at a time put the car at a huge angle, and side loaded the jack causing it to slip.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kverges

I am baffled as to why anyone would prefer ramps to jack stands. First, after you jack up the car, you have to set it down on a wheel, which will allow the car to settle lower due to suspension travel and of course you have just eliminated brake, tires, and suspension work from the realm of possibilty.

For one thing, you need to have a car sitting on it's suspension when you tighten the bolts after you've done that suspension work. That means that you need the car "in the air" so you can get to the bolt, but on ramps (or a lift) such that it's sitting on the wheels.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baysailor

How come you don't want to drive up on them? I have the 8000's and backup them all the time with no problems what so ever. Super easy to do drop either panel and do oil changes, swap an exhaust, what ever.

I don't find it hard at all. With the car stopped, slide the ramps up so that they are touching the rear tires. Then get in the car and back up slowly. When you get to the top, it will suddenly roll easily, and you just shove in the clutch and put on the brakes as it rolls to the stop bumps on the rear of the ramps. Often I have my wife, or one of my kids do the backing while I watch them and let them know how much farther they have to go. It really is simple and easy to do.

However, a very good way to lift the back of the car to put it on RhinoRamps is to use a Jack Helper Used with a floor jack, it lifts both sides of the rear of the car at once. Then slip the RhinoRamps under the car and lower it.

Then I can drop the undertray, and do what I need to do. Or lift it higher and place jacks on the "C" Jacking Points.

Here's some photos of the Jack Helper in use.

TheViper · 10-29-2009, 11:35 AM

When you jack up the rear with the Jack Helper is there any chance that the car can roll forwards on the front wheels?
Michael

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMullen

However, a very good way to lift the back of the car to put it on RhinoRamps is to use a Jack Helper Used with a floor jack, it lifts both sides of the rear of the car at once. Then slip the RhinoRamps under the car and lower it.

zygotesoup · 10-29-2009, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheViper

When you jack up the rear with the Jack Helper is there any chance that the car can roll forwards on the front wheels?
Michael

put the car in reverse and engage the e brake

agirls · 10-29-2009, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zygotesoup

put the car in reverse and engage the e brake

That won't stop the front wheels from rolling when you lift the rear.

Rear wheel drive and the e brake engages on the rear too. (Right?)

JWA · 10-29-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zygotesoup

put the car in reverse and engage the e brake

Am I missing the sarcasm or smiley? You are joking, right?

10-28-2009, 01:50 PM	#1 (permalink)
ANIMAL Registered Crazy Person Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 22	Rhino ramps and jack slippage. Hi guys, I used the search and I came across a lot of posts of the jack slipping off the car when trying to get the elise high enough to slip a rhino ramp under the rears. I haven't bought any of the tools yet (ramps/jack) and wondered if anyone has a better idea of what I should buy to avoid this problem. I would like to use ramps instead of stands for the moment and I don't want to drive up on to the ramps. I was planing on getting the harbor freight jack and a pair of rhino ramps. The rhino ramps I was going to buy were the model 8000? Is that the normal one to buy for these cars? I'm a little paranoid about the car which is why I'm asking if there is another tool I can look into that make jacking up the car a little easier (not interested in the rear jack bracket on here). Should I not worry so much and just get the jack and ramps? I got so freaked out when I read about all the jacks slipping out from under the car. Thanks guys! __________________ Elise -- Coming Soon.

10-28-2009, 03:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
zygotesoup Resident Drunk Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,226	i have rhino ramps and have never had a problem with the car slipping off the jack... or even coming close. i much prefer having the car on ramps as opposed to stands whenever possible, they seem much, much safer than using jack stands and they are pretty much retard proof. even so i place one ramp facing on one direction and the one on the opposite side facing the other direction. can never have too many fail safes when working underneath a car. just get the rhino ramps... they are the bees knees __________________ 2005 BADA55 Lotus Elise 1993 Black BMW 325i 2000 Solar Yellow MR-S - SOLD 1987 White on White Porsche 944 Turbo - SOLD 1993 Maroon Lexus SC400 - SOLD

10-28-2009, 03:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
zygotesoup Resident Drunk Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,226	oh and for your other question, get the 8000 model, the 12000 is totally unnecessary/overkill for pretty much any car you could ever work on __________________ 2005 BADA55 Lotus Elise 1993 Black BMW 325i 2000 Solar Yellow MR-S - SOLD 1987 White on White Porsche 944 Turbo - SOLD 1993 Maroon Lexus SC400 - SOLD

10-28-2009, 03:07 PM	#7 (permalink)
Baysailor Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 1,205	How come you don't want to drive up on them? I have the 8000's and backup them all the time with no problems what so ever. Super easy to do drop either panel and do oil changes, swap an exhaust, what ever. For brakes, suspension work, etc... I agree with kverges on just using jack stands. I have Jim Clayton's Jack Helper which makes it even easier to get the back on jack stands. __________________ 2006 Lotus Elise - Solar Yellow, HT, LSS, LSD/TC, Touring, StarShield, S111 RTDbrace, S111 microMirror, S111 Carpet Buttons, Painted A/C Surround, CF Center Console, Nitron S/A, Tempest BAB26-12 AGM Battery, Fujita Intake, Top Speed Pro 1 Exhaust, 4Tress Harness Bar, 6000k 35w HID kit, Moroso Oil Pan, Plinthless front clam, Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2 Wheels w/ RE01-R's for street use, Heater Core By-Pass, Shifter Reinforcement, LETSLA v2 Shift Kit

10-28-2009, 03:12 PM	#8 (permalink)
Chris Mackey Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 2,587	What Baysailor said. __________________ 2006 Elise, Ardent Red, Black Pack, LSS wheels, shocks and springs. ChuforiaGraffix.com SDD Lives On! SweetDaddyDelicious(at)hotmail(dot)com

10-28-2009, 02:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
kverges Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dallas Posts: 926	I am baffled as to why anyone would prefer ramps to jack stands. First, after you jack up the car, you have to set it down on a wheel, which will allow the car to settle lower due to suspension travel and of course you have just eliminated brake, tires, and suspension work from the realm of possibilty. Plus, ramps take up more storage room that jack stands. If you don't want to deal with undertray issues, with a good soft pad (I actually wrap old t-shirts around the tops of my jack stands as the polyurethane covers I have tried are no more durable) you can place the jack stand underneath the a-arm where it is reinforced for the shock absorber and support it by the suspension without hurting anything. Just get jackstands when at HF. HF has some nice aluminum jobs that I keep in the race trailer that I think you will like.

10-28-2009, 05:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
...m... Denuo Volatilis Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 2,715	...likewise... __________________ 2005 Federal Elise \| Touring \| Storm Titanium ...73,000 miles and aging beautifully... 2000 New Beetle \| Turbo \| Reflex Silver ...107,000 miles of steadfast service...

10-28-2009, 05:48 PM	#10 (permalink)
MikeG911 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 256	changed the oil this weekend with rhino ramps and jack, not issues. There is a video on youtube - I had no issues. Good luck - be safe. __________________ 07 CO Elise, ReVerie CF Side Scoops, ReVerie 3-Element CF Diffuser, ReVerie center console, ReVerie front splitter, 111 Tow Hook, 111 Boomerang Tow Hook, 111 Bootie, Redline Boot, BWR Key, V1. Planned R888, Larini Exhaust, CF Sills, Coil Overs of some kind...

10-28-2009, 07:56 PM	#12 (permalink)
zygotesoup Resident Drunk Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,226	however, he should have lowered the car before adding oil and checking the level, but lets not nit picks __________________ 2005 BADA55 Lotus Elise 1993 Black BMW 325i 2000 Solar Yellow MR-S - SOLD 1987 White on White Porsche 944 Turbo - SOLD 1993 Maroon Lexus SC400 - SOLD

10-28-2009, 08:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
Fast Toys Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 5	Check out the Race Ramp line at Fast Toys Performance Parts . They make some great products that a sturdy, non slip and will not scratch up your elise/exige.

10-28-2009, 09:15 PM	#14 (permalink)
jallingt Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 521	FWIW. I always jack the car up and lower it onto the ramps or jackstands. Not much of a hassle. I have never driven the car onto ramps. When I need to take a wheel off and get under the car I put both wheels on the ramps then replace one ramp with a stand. No problem. have fun with the work! __________________ 2005 Bordeaux Met #21 (HT, Touring, Quicksilver ext, TRM F1 wheels, Stan Stud, HID lights, BWR S/C,Filled motor mounts, catch can, no camber shims, Tillett saddles) 2004 Audi S4 Sedan (Tip, GAIC Chip, AWE Cat-back, Team Dyanmics Pro 1.2 wheels, H-sport sway bars) 2002 F-350 (Powerstroke, 4x4, Banks power pack, 6th alternator) Couple nice bicycles, way too many snow skis.

10-29-2009, 10:47 AM	#15 (permalink)
espritv8 delivered on 1.11 Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: south jersey Posts: 457	i agree with using the rhino ramps, and jack stands when appropriate too. tip for the ramps, i painted my garage floor, and the ramps tended to slip. so i went to wal-mart and got a 5'x7' carpet piece to lay down under the ramps. no more kicking out the ramps, also i roll-up the carpet to store. also if you are unsure of backing up on the ramps, get a small mirror and place it to where you can see the wheels. good luck, tom __________________ chief kingpin of the S.B.A., Starlight Black Authority Starlight Black, hardtop & starshield. delivered on 1.11.05 driven by design. ok, and lotus www.ta-design.com

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