Diff Oil Change

[BenF]

Anyone got any tips on how you do this if you don't have access to a slope? Maybe get some ramps for the front wheels and then jack up the back and put it on stands?

Let it drain as much as it will, then use a syringe and/or lint-free rag?

[binarypunk]

It's perfectly possible to do this with the car on the ground if you have a lowish profile drain tub / litter tray.

[The Captain]

It's perfectly possible to do this with the car on the ground if you have a lowish profile drain tub / litter tray.

I imagine it is nigh on impossible unless you are really skinny and really tall and have a flat head.

[binarypunk]

There's loads of room under the bumper of my car - mind you its at standard ride height. I have to get my arm under the car just past the elbow to get a wrench on the drain and filler... My head is still in open air so no problem there. The biggest problem for me was my drain tub is too fat, so I used a small tray and then poured (and scraped... ) it in afterwards.

Much easier next time though as I have access to a lift now. Dreamy....

[nobow]

Getting car onto axles stands, i usually use the car jack then get my trolley jack under then onto axle stands.

The reason i didnt use axle stands this time was the slope was making them a bit iffy, the supports for the back wheels i used was concrete blocks with short scaffold board, the support was strong enough to take the weight of the motor as i drove off the supports ( thinking about it imagine cars ramp but bigger and stronger)

[Yolo]

Wish bone mounts and chassis rails where are these guys as the only time I lifted the car I used the jacking points for the stands? I don't want appear a numpty but if there is an easier way I would prefer to know especially as I am hoping to do the oil tomorrow night... May use the ramps I got the hold of though....
It's all about learning

[Mazda Mender]

If you can hang on to after Blyton, i'll show you.
M-m

[binarypunk]

The official jacking point for the rear of the car is the diff casing. The stands can then go on the sill.
Alternatively there is a 'knuckle' where the wishbone meets the chassis (although that means lifting twice, once each side)

For info, the jacking point for the front is the chassis crossmember just in front of the sump. Although I'm yet to find a (reasonably priced) jack that will fit under there easily. My mate's Snap-On does nicely...but then I could have a whole other Mk1 for the price of that jack!

[The Captain]

Jacking points are as mentioned above, you may have to raise the car slightly to get a jack under. But DO NOT put axle stands under the sill, use the chassis rails which you will instantly recognise when you look under the car. Ramps are OK but you may well find they slip out or that the car is just too low to gain access to them.

If in doubt, then dont attempt it, get someone to help and/or show you.

I will take some pics and post later as one of mine is currently in the air, well her back end is anyway.

[BenF]

For info, the jacking point for the front is the chassis crossmember just in front of the sump. Although I'm yet to find a (reasonably priced) jack that will fit under there easily. My mate's Snap-On does nicely...but then I could have a whole other Mk1 for the price of that jack!

Big fat caution here!! - the crossmember does get oily and is very slippery past 15° or so, and trust me IT WILL SLIP!! Use a rubber pad or other grippy surface. And sort that damned oil leak out

[The Captain]

I am very concerned that those without experience of raising and supporting these cars in preparation for working beneath them are not being given the correct advice as far as jacking points and where to place axle stands are concerned.

I have just tried to find some information on the OC but don t have the time to search the archives, however I did find this http://www.techguys.ca/howto/floor_jack.html

I am not a mechanic and have not spent my life working with cars but it makes sound sense to only work underneath a raised car that is firstly on flat, level ground and secondly is properly jacked and then supported with axle stands and when necessary use wheels chocks as well.

Please be careful, if in any doubt then DO NOT do it.

[Lazza]

For info, the jacking point for the front is the chassis crossmember just in front of the sump. Although I'm yet to find a (reasonably priced) jack that will fit under there easily. My mate's Snap-On does nicely...but then I could have a whole other Mk1 for the price of that jack!

I do have a jack that can reach that front jacking point but I don't use it. I did try using it once but as it's basically a flat plate there is nothing for the jack to hold onto and I found mine was moving on the jacking point rather than moving the jack as it went up (as the jack lifts the lifting plate should stay in place while the jack moved on it's wheels) so I aborted and used the wishbone knuckle instead.

[Mazda Mender]

but it makes sound sense to only work underneath a raised car that is firstly on flat, level ground and secondly is properly jacked and then supported with axle stands and when necessary use wheels chocks as well.

Please be careful, if in any doubt then DO NOT do it.

M-m

[Yolo]

Ok guys thanks for all this. The jacking points front crossmember and diff box , I got ok it's just there seems to be a difference of opinion on the placement of the stands. I have had the car up on stands once when I thought the rad was leaking (turned out to be nothing) and I used the sill jack points is this wrong? The tech boys post above seems to show them using this but if I am going under the car I want to be safe.

[Mazda Mender]

I use the inner most jacking points,(not on the sill lip). unless you can hear that nice crunching noise of sh*t metal when lowering down onto them, so then it becomes plan B.
My saftey comes first before i go under one.
M-m