Bought some wheels+tyres from Dan through the week, and since I had a free Sunday afternoon to myself, I thought I'd have a go at fitting them. Got out my old Draper 2-ton trolley jack, should be fine, after all I'm not lifting the whole car, just one corner at a time? Right? Wrong

Loosened the nuts, jacked up enough to take the weight off the wheel and took the nuts off. Jacked up a bit more, then as high as the jack would go and tried to get wheel off but jack didn't have sufficient reach to get it fully off the ground. Since I have a gravel drive I figured if I could get the wheel off I'd be able to move the gravel out from underneath, creating enough space to get the new wheel on.

Bad idea

Wiggled the wheel just enough to get it off the threads at which point the suspension extended downwards and put the brake disc against the bottom of the inside of the wheel. Well now I was properly stuck!


After a cuppa, I realised the only thing I could do was get the standard scissor jack and use it to raise the car up, but since the jack point was already in use, I had to go under a bit further and use the chassis itself as a jack point. Managed to lift the car enough to be able to get the trolley jack out and place a slab under it to give it some extra height. So now I had two jacks holding the car up, but then the slab split in three and the trolley had no more to give...

Decided discretion was the better part of valour and put the original wheel back on at that point, lowered it all back down and at that point the entire car sat right down on its suspension. Never seen it go that low before, was way below access height. Was very worried now. Started it up and got a few warnings about suspension height and clearing obstacles, however after a minute or two it had sorted itself out and was back to normal height.

So, long story short, I've just ordered a SGS 3 ton trolley jack, seems to be the recommended one round here after a bit of searching (is there no end to having to buy stuff for this car?) Will have another go on Wednesday. Figure it's an investment anyway. Other option is to take it down the local garage and get them to fit the wheels, but I think I'd be too embarrassed to do that.

One question - am I right in thinking if put the height to access mode and leave a door open, it won't drop down like it did when I took the wheel off before?

Click image to enlarge

Click image to enlarge

Sorry to hear about your experience! A recommendation I read which helped me change over my wheels was to keep a door open which stops the suspension from going up or down. Otherwise the vehicle tries to level itself even with the engine off.

I recently bought an SGS trolley jack (3 tonne) and can recommend it now that I've used it a few times and also bought some axle stands for additional safety.

I've only tried lifting the car from the jacking points. Some folks recommend jacking from under the suspension arm which seems like a good idea although I haven't tried it yet.

I also bought one of the Mini/BMW jacking adaptors - about £7 on Ebay which I use on the trolley jack to protect the jacking point from being deformed.

Just to state the obvious if you have anywhere a bit more solid than gravel to use the trolley jack on when it arrives that will definitely help.

I got a puncture and changed a wheel a couple of weeks ago on the road outside my house. I used my 2 tonne trolley jack and jacked under the rear suspension arm and then put an axle stand under the jacking point. 2 tonnes is plenty to jack one corner so it may be your trusty old Draper is knackered. It is a bit scary how high you need to lift the car even with a door open to stop it levelling out. Current: FF Westminster money pit

Gone:
RRS 4.2 SC
RRS 3.6 TDV8
FL2 TD4

Cheers both, I'll try it with the door open next time, and see if I can find a more solid surface. My street is a bit of a hill so that's not really an option. Maybe see if I can find a big solid piece of wood in the back of the garage somewhere, that might help.

Agree, the car does take a fair bit of lifting, never felt anything like it. The Draper was definitely straining, I think it probably is knackered. Its one of those things I've no idea how I came to own it or how old it is - I think someone lent it to me at some point and never wanted it back. It's definitely ancient though, Other cars I've jacked up in the past have been no bother at all, but the Fatty is indeed quite a fatty!

Anyway, we'll see how the SGS 3 ton jack does later in the week, hopefully I'll get the new wheels on and be able to sell on the old ones. 09 RR Westminster 3.6TDV8 - Stornoway Grey / Black interior - now gone (sad face)
Nissan X Trail 1.6TDCi Tekna
Fiat 500 1.2

Land Rover Discovery red bottle jack under suspension. 2 pumps. Wheel off ground. Job done.
No dangerous height achieved. Suspension won’t fight you either

https://www.facebook.com/groups/9557589711...mp;sfns=mo Gone to a good home: 2011 4.4 TDV8 Vogue SE Buckingham Blue with Ivory and clear glass = "Rory"
2025MY Defender D350 90 in Silicon Silver on coils
1974 Series 3 Lightweight = "Millie"
Many, many other Landies over the years
I use www.glenrands.co.uk Great independent specialist!
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Last edited by DrRob on 27th May 2019 12:55pm. Edited 1 time in total

My 2 ton Draper buckled under 1 corner of my Disco.

I now jack under the suspension arm-the car then lifts the wheel itself.

WB wrote:

I also bought one of the Mini/BMW jacking adaptors - about £7 on Ebay which I use on the trolley jack to protect the jacking point from being deformed.

I just leave the door on the first catch and key out, not gone down yet.

Tugger wrote:

WB wrote:

I also bought one of the Mini/BMW jacking adaptors - about £7 on Ebay which I use on the trolley jack to protect the jacking point from being deformed.

Do you have a link for this? Looking on ebay, there are loads of different kinds, not sure which is the correct type

👍 09 RR Westminster 3.6TDV8 - Stornoway Grey / Black interior - now gone (sad face)
Nissan X Trail 1.6TDCi Tekna
Fiat 500 1.2

Update: SGS jack arrived a day early so did the job today. What a difference with the 3-ton jack, lifted the car easily.

Just need the new centre caps to be delivered to finish the job. Old ones were pretty beat up so thought it best to replace them as well.

Before

Looking good - nice job.

@ Tugger.

Inspired by your 'After' pics I have purchased a set of these wheels and tyres from Dan. I can't wait to get 'em and put 'em on.

One question: Did you have to get the wheels balanced before putting them on?

I didn't but it was in the back of my mind to do it. I've not driven the car at speed yet but if I feel any wobbling I'll be getting them balanced. I'll be going to work tomorrow so a bit of a motorway blast on the cards, will report back after that. 09 RR Westminster 3.6TDV8 - Stornoway Grey / Black interior - now gone (sad face)
Nissan X Trail 1.6TDCi Tekna
Fiat 500 1.2

Those new wheels really set the car up 👍

Jim