Horses for courses... Depending upon which part you need to get access too on the underside. I think the stand the zed shed has is amazing, but some jobs still need axel stands so that parts can be dropped.
Refurb the underside of our Zed
- Thread starter peterandjenny
- Start date
We haven't used this for a clutch replacement so can't comment how it needs to be set when doing one or if you can get a transmission jack underneath it. The best way to get the gearbox out is as @Lee says by getting under it and man handling it out. If you want plenty of access and the ability to get a transmission jack underneath then you probably want a proper lift, but then you need plenty of space to fit one and money to buy one
Getting confused... you said a clutch took you 10 hours on stands but you could do it in half the time with the tilter?We haven't used this for a clutch replacement so can't comment how it needs to be set when doing one or if you can get a transmission jack underneath it. The best way to get the gearbox out is as @Lee says by getting under it and man handling it out. If you want plenty of access and the ability to get a transmission jack underneath then you probably want a proper lift, but then you need plenty of space to fit one and money to buy one
It would take me 10 hours on stands too (Lee is very quick at 4 hours) and I’d be very happy if I could do it with a tilter in 5 hours as you originally suggested.
And I was knocked back for suggesting a tilter may not give the required access for a gearbox out?
I once did a Mk 1 Escort clutch on axle stands and it was awful getting it back on. I always said I’d never do it like that again. Hence my determination to get proper access and use a transmission jack.
peterandjenny
Zorg Guru (II)
Oh dear opened a conversation here As others have said it would be worth getting something done rather than purchase lifting equipment. Just need to decide what. The spare needs replacing . Parts could do with treating and painting. We just thinking about preventative maintenance. How much should we be willing to spend?
As others have said it would be worth getting something done rather than purchase lifting equipment. Just need to decide what. The spare needs replacing . Parts could do with treating and painting. We just thinking about preventative maintenance. How much should we be willing to spend?
- Joined
- Nov 25, 2012
- Points
- 178
- Location
- Newport, South Wales,UK
- Model of Z
- Z3 M43 1.8 (1999) and Z4 E85 2.0i (2007)
Have been looking at these on ebay for cica £300, manual using farm jack principle, also comes with a flat table attachment
I think the lifting capacity is greatly reduced in flat mode. And that was the lift I described as bonkers looking. But if it really works and is stable...
Have been looking at these on ebay for cica £300, manual using farm jack principle, also comes with a flat table attachment
You need to decide exactly what work you want doing. Otherwise you're asking how long is a piece of string! See my post #16.Oh dear opened a conversation here
I honestly think you are doing an unnecessary job by re undersealing the floor pan if that's what you had in mind. The factory underseal is usually very good even at the age of our cars. Though you may well need to do spot repairs to it.
I would start by having the wheel liners out and sill covers off and treating any corrosion you find in those areas. That's a really importnat area to concentrate preservation effort. That's a DIY job if you fancy giving it a go. Otherwise I'd entrust it to a reliable body shop, preferably one used to working on older cars. Possibly to include respraying the sill covers as the ends are nearly always going.
Then I would turn my attention to the fuel straps, axle carrier and trailing arms. The only way to do those 3 jobs properly is axle out, strip, shot blast and powder coat. But on the basis you are unlikely to want to go that far (it's a major job) it's rub down and Por-15 or similar. That could be done quite quickly alongside the sill covers.
If you PM me I can recommend a specialist in the Oxford area. But they are unlikely to be cheap. They are used to working on Z3s and achieve outstanding results.
It probably could be done in half the time but we haven't tried it yet, I should have said that. Lee is very quick, the 10 hours we took would be a lot quicker next time due to the fact we have done it once before. It's always quicker second time round, but with the lift access to it is so much easier. It would probably be a lot easier with a transmission jack but you would no doubt need a proper lift then.
Anyway back to the OP, if you have access to get underneath the car safely there is no reason not to give it a go yourself. Some wire brushes, rust treatment and paint or underseal would be a great start on cleaning things up. I did my zed behind all the panels when they were being swapped over and its pretty easy to do. It all depends on how much you are willing to do with your budget and time limits.
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2016
- Points
- 231
- Model of Z
- Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
FYI folks you can buy a transmission cradle to fit a trolley jack, Sealey do them amonst others
https://www.sparkswarehouse.com/pro...X4Das1x7czfrmAeJpsKxVM7v4ROBghNwaAihmEALw_wcB
https://www.sparkswarehouse.com/pro...X4Das1x7czfrmAeJpsKxVM7v4ROBghNwaAihmEALw_wcB
you need to re-read your post, that's why I gave the reaction I did.
Do you use air tools Dave, that's where most time is saved regardless of working on stands, a tilting lift or even a pit as I have in the Midlands Shed. An air impact wrench and ratchets are a God send!
Tony.
The access comment was directed more at the mini lifts.
But I stand by my assertion that a tilter does not give the type of access you need to remove a gearbox and exhaust easily. I wouldn’t think it’s easy to manoeuvre an awkward lump like a gearbox or exhaust with the car pointing skyward. And if it’s in the level position the working height is not that great.
And since it doesn’t give unhindered access end to end, side to side then it’s not ideal for underside treatment either.
But I accept it can do more than put the car at a more comfortable height to do corner work. That comment was aimed at the mini lifters.
If you think a tilter is suitable for gearbox work and underside treatment and have experience you can share that’s great. Otherwise how is your opinion any more valid than mine?
because mine is based on the experience I have of using one, and even removing full exhausts with one..
and I have shared my experience in pictures above as to what can be done using one.
We disagree, as we do on a lot of things ....including ABS coding...
People can read the posts and make their own minds up on what it looks like you referred too
and I have shared my experience in pictures above as to what can be done using one.
We disagree, as we do on a lot of things ....including ABS coding...
People can read the posts and make their own minds up on what it looks like you referred too
Last edited:
I’d very happily have a pit. When we lived in London as kids, all the 1930s semis in our road were built with pits either in the garage or drive. It’s always seemed strange to me and I’ve never seen it anywhere else. Of course by the 1970s the vast majority had been filled in.
Yeah, I was about 31 at the time I dug it, wouldn't want to repeat it now though. Haven't used it for a good while, it does get water in and I have a submersible pump to empty it.
Tony.
Tony.
Right o. Well I’ll take your word for that for now and look forward to a write up one day showing me how a gearbox job went and how you treated the sill area with the tilter occupying it.
In the meantime I’ll also accept that having done both these jobs myself I am incapable of identifying the appropriate lifting equipment.
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2016
- Points
- 231
- Model of Z
- Z3M Imola and Z4 (e89)
Steady boys, opinions are great even if they differ 
Eeek, I gave gookah's earlier post a like - but for the photos provided of the tilting lift as opposed to any wider comments (just to be clear!)
Been looking at tilting lifts for a while. I think they looks amazeballs and will likely get one in future. However, my most pressing job, as soon as the weather warms up, is to clean up my inner sills. In my case, the stonechip has bubbled about a third of the way back from the front, so a tilting lift will probably occupy the area I need to get to as mrscalex points out.
I can see how one could be hugely useful in numerous other situations though, hence much want
Been looking at tilting lifts for a while. I think they looks amazeballs and will likely get one in future. However, my most pressing job, as soon as the weather warms up, is to clean up my inner sills. In my case, the stonechip has bubbled about a third of the way back from the front, so a tilting lift will probably occupy the area I need to get to as mrscalex points out.
I can see how one could be hugely useful in numerous other situations though, hence much want