Hello again people...

Need to jack up rear of car, the chassis is solid and I want to use a trolley jack (with high reach)....where can i fit the jack, that's stable and won't damage the car...I won't be getting under the car, just need the rear arms to be free

thanks
Will

I generally put the pad between the axle mounting bolts or the suspension can mount.

Do you need both wheels off the ground at once?

thanks meshking - one off at a time for this job, but would be interested to know if it's possible to lift both with one jack - safely...

cheers
w

Will,
is this possibly connected with checking the rear arm bearings?
If it is, you need to lift one _side_ of the car at a time, so that there's no tension in the rear tie rod on the side you're checking.
( On those vehicles with interlinking between front and rear suspension, any load on the front end moves the canister forwards and tensions the rear tie rod. )

A spreader beam to fit between the jack and the chassis is always a good idea if the chassis is a Citroen original type, as a concentrated load applied directly onto the chassis 'skin' may result in localised distortion.
Some 100mm x 100mm timber works quite well, if you cannot get hold of some 50 x 50 x 3 RHS...

ken.

Thanks Ken - it is indeed to check the rear arm bearings

Is the idea of the spreader beam to stop metal on metal with a 100m2 'plate' or a big beam running across the car (touching all chassis points)

thanks

The main issue is to make sure that the rear tie rod has no tension on it. Lift the Ami on the rear square spring pot mounting bracket until the rear wheel is free to turn. Feel the tie rod with your hand. If no tension you are safe. If you feel tension, lift the front first as Ken is suggesting and/or turn the tie rod to get rid of the tension. Remember to turn it back exactly where is was not to disturb the vehicle hight. Remove the rear wheel, secure the Ami with an extra stand, just in case the Ami comes off the jack. Grab the drum to feel if the arm has any play. If not sure, get help from another person to look at the axle at the same time. Also use a tire leaver, inset between the chassis and the arm to look for play.

You probably have enough to go on now but its possible to get 2 off the ground at a time, tho not advisable on a suspect original chassis, we do lift one of the racers quite happily from either the engine bearer or from the side but its an, ahem,nearly standard citroen chassis

i worked out the balance point on my car and can get all 4 wheels off the ground on the big trolley jack! but its on a strong Mr Ken chassis with an additional bottom skin

Sean