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Ratchet or Pin Axle Stands?

C

chrisjcoe

New member
Hi guys

This isn't a "what's best" or "what's safest" thread, as if either were not up to scratch they wouldn't be sold. Instead, this is a usability question.

Is there any difference between them when working on 944s? Does the ratchet give you a smaller degree of adjustment? Does the pin allow you to start from a lower height? Are they pretty much the same and just down to preference/laziness?

I had looked at these pin stands and these ratchet stands.

Cheers
 
I can tell you one thing for sure ! , I have some nice strong pin ones BUT my garage floor is slightly uneven and it makes it rather awkward using them.
The ratchet ones look to have finer adjustment to me ?. I would like to purchase a set of ratchet ones as well. If there is any safety issue ( which as you say I doubt ) , it doesnt matter as I am paranoid re getting under a car and always double jack plus I stick wheels etc under the car to be as super sure as is possible.

I too would like to know if the ratchet ones are as good as I suspect they are.

Cheers

Mas


 
I have ratchet ones - can't remember whether there was a choice in Halfords or not, though I don't think there was. I've been very pleased with them. They're much less fiddly, just lift up to the underside and let it drop back to the next notch. Plus there's no pin to lose! They're so simple in design that I don't think there are safety issues, apart from observing the weight limit, but I still keep the jack(s) under the car as well, as long as there's room.

Of course if you have room to store them you're much safer with proper drive-on ramps, plus more room to work. I might be persuaded to sell mine as I'm downsizing.........

P1000599.jpg


P1000597.jpg
 
I have pin stands, but if I had none and was going out to buy some today, I'd go for ratchet ones for covenience. Not enough of a difference to make me buy them when I already have the pin ones though.

Hey Richard, that drive-on ramp looks great! I couldn't find one with a quick google, who makes/sells them? And could you get the 968 up without fouling the front splitter?
 
I couldn't find those ramps either. No where to store them though, but I'd love a set! Have you found them on sale anywhere Mas?
 
Are they display stands?
I've seen lots in showrooms and thought they seem a good idea but are they really safe to be under?
 
Found them online here.....http://www.carstages.com/

Yes, they are display stands... nothing on the website about using them to work under, for or against.
 
I do like the look of these... as others have stated though.. were the hell would I keep them? On looking at the design which is rated for 3000kg's, if someone was to use then for working under I'd be inclined to add diagonal cross bracing between the two ramps so that it becomes one rigid unit. I'm sure they are unlikely to part with a car sitting on top but for me I like to make sure it can't happen, it would also make it easier to drive on, taking away the possibility of one ramp moving when the wheels first touch.

Great practical use though.. nice..:)

Pete
 

ORIGINAL: sr.944man

I have pin stands, but if I had none and was going out to buy some today, I'd go for ratchet ones for covenience. Not enough of a difference to make me buy them when I already have the pin ones though.

Hey Richard, that drive-on ramp looks great! I couldn't find one with a quick google, who makes/sells them? And could you get the 968 up without fouling the front splitter?
Click to expand...

Yup, no problem with the front splitter. In fact I fitted it and the MO30 ARBs using the ramps. I never had a problem with them moving when you were driving on/off. They're steel and very heavy, so I suppose inertia comes into it. Once you have them the correct distance apart (I cut a couple of pieces of wood as templates) you can drive on/off on your own, though it does test your nerve a bit as you approach and the nose goes up in the air! [:D] I always used to get out and double-check I was dead straight. The cross braces are a good idea, which I would adopt if I still had the CS.

It's quite correct that they were originally designed as car display ramps. I bought them from the guy who designed them originally. Not cheap but very useful if you have the storage space. You can also use jacks on them using steel plates if you need more headroom. It was quite expensive to ship them here from Norfolk but worth it.
 
One think I had considered regarding the pin vs ratchet decision, was do you ever use a stand to support something like the transmission when working on it? If you wanted to drop it out, and don't have a trolley to support it, can you use a stand? If you can, then would a ratchet be better so you could possible lower or raise it when you wanted? That could be a stupid question if the ratchet stand doesn't work that way......
 
Not to be attempted, I think! You change the position of the ratchet stand manually either by lifting the top to the desired height and allowing it to fall to the next highest notch in the shaft, or you lower it by lifting the side lever, which drops the shaft to the bottom unless you stop it by hand in an intermediate position. Either way you do it with no load on it. You could get away with changing the height if the supported object was very light, but only by holding it with one hand and adjusting the ratchet with the other. It's just an axle stand with a different sort of adjustment, designed for static use. There will be a tool to do what you are thinking of but it would have to involve hydraulics or pneumatics, I think.
 
I think the ratchet ones are worth the extra £4, not least because you can adjust them one-handed under the car.
 
Let me know if that ramp is for sale Richard, you may have a buyer, price dependent of course [:)]
 
I have both. I bought a set of 6 tonne ratchets for the height I needed to fetch the engine out. They were as cheap as the normal ones but I did have a VAT off voucher for Machine Mart. Nothing wrong with either but like has been said the ratchets are far easier to adjust.
 
ORIGINAL: Frenchy

Let me know if that ramp is for sale Richard, you may have a buyer, price dependent of course [:)]
Click to expand...

Sent you an email as your PM store is full.
 
I thought about many options when I was looking around and have had these for some time now...............solid as a rock - very well made - rated at 2 tonnes and take up to 300mm wide tyres - I use an electric drill with a 24mm socket to raise/lower each end or one side in seconds.

Get 4 and you can lift the whole car and you dont have the storage problems as with the ramps.

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You can get hydraulic ones but just like a hydraulic jack if a seal went I wouldnt want to be under the car whereas the screw types cannot drop.

hydramps1.JPG
 
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