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MG MGA - Jacking up an MGA

Afternoon all.
I have this QuickJack BL-3500SLX hydraulic lifting system. With the MGA it’s possible to place the two rubber pads, each side, as far apart as is possible, which is to the front and rear just before the side chassis members begin to curve inwards and become unusable for lifting purposes. This results, as shown, in the two side lifting points being about 1 metre apart, the maximum possible on the straight portion of the chassis side members. The front pad is about 40cm forward of the windscreen and the rear pad about 30cm forward of the rear edge of the door. All works well and seems well balanced and secure.
However, the good book, Workshop Manual, says do not lift under the side members, presumably really meaning not to use a central single jacking point on the side chassis rail. But, is a double lifting spread of 1m ok given that advice in the manual? Any thoughts?
Bruce.






Bruce Mayo

Bruce

I have been using a similar lift for the past 10 years without issue.

If you watch the Wheeler Dealers programme they lift all sorts of classics, including an MGA on one occasion, using a 2-post hydraulic lift with 4 lifting points.

My hoist in the picture.

Steve


Steve Gyles

Thanks Steve. The four lifting points you’ve chosen look to be in exactly the same spot as mine, ie. the maximum straight distance of outer chassis rail each side. Good to get confirmation of a similar user.
Bruce Mayo

I don’t have any lifting equipment other than a trolley jack but for jacking under the chassis to remove the rear springs I made wooden spreader blocks. The blocks were grooved so that none of the load was taken by the central weld flange and it was all on the flats to each side and transferred to the vertical elements of the chassis.

Cheers
Dave
Bolney Coupe

Where the w/shop manual says not to jack under the side members, do you think they might mean not to jack under the side body sills.
I'd think jacking almost anywhere under the actual chassis itself would be ok, they're as strong as.
willy
William Revit

Thanks for responses Dave and Willy. Just a bit of feedback from me - I finished doing a complete job greasing and oiling, checking tightness of everything possible, etc, and now it’s back on the ground. Before lowering it down I needed to open a door to get at something and worryingly found the door extremely tight to open. So, presumably there is a bit of flexing happening due to the engine end and back axle end both being unsupported. Happily back to normal now it’s supported on the wheels again. Maybe there is something in the Workshop Manual guidance about centre jacking.
Bruce.
Bruce Mayo

I wouldn't worry too much Bruce. Even the newest of cars when they're up on 2post service hoists are prone to getting tight in the doors--it's just how it is.
William Revit

Bruce,
your door-opening problem reminded me of something similar that happened to me many years ago when dinghy sailing was my hobby.

I had just bought a Laser sailing dinghy and I wanted to try it out but I hadn't yet bought a trailer for it. So, I decided to transport it on the top of my Mk II Ford Escort using a substantial ladder rack clamped to the gutters.
All went well until I tried to get out of the car at the boat club about 5 miles away from home.
I found to my dismay that I just couldn't open any of the doors! So, I had to climb out through the window and I removed the boat from the roof bars asap, the doors then opened ok!

I did take the boat sailing, but I decided to leave it at the boat club rather than have the cars roof collapse on the way home.

I bought a boat trailer that very same week.

Cheers
Colyn
Colyn Firth

Colyn

I found the laser the most difficult dinghy to sail well. However, I think some of these foiling dinghies are probably even more tricky! Retired to cruising boats now.
John Francis

I agree about the Laser John, was a challenge to race it, especially in strong winds on a the downwind legs. Because each time you gybed, it was a 50:50 choice between turning or capsizing, But it was exciting!

I was very competitive in the Laser in a strong breeze, but at around 15 stone, I was too heavy in the light winds and usually finished near the back of the fleet. Before I had the Laser, I raced a 2-man dinghy called a 505, that was a real monster to race and I always had problems finding someone to crew for me and so I then decided to buy the Laser.

But surprisingly, this eventually led me back to MGA ownership.

I took up motorsport after I stopped racing sailing dinghys and after about 12 years of Kart racing, I began to get interested in owning an MGA again.

My wife was delighted too because we could finally enjoy a hobby together.

Cheers
Colyn
Colyn Firth

Colyn I used to love the 505s. The closest I got to sailing one was a Ponant, a French dinghy, which uses 505 sails in the gulf of morbihan with 7 kn tides. My GF I think prefers sailing on a cruiser than driving in the MG
John Francis


I didn’t take up sailing until I was 60 and attended a sailing course. And the laser was one of the boats that taught me on. I found it difficult on my arthritic knees in that tiny boat, and probably spent as much time in the water as in the boat!
Driving an MGA is much easier and drier, most of the time!
Graham V

This thread was discussed between 10/10/2024 and 19/11/2024

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