Due to the fact that car repair services at a service station are not cheap, some motorists begin to troubleshoot their cars themselves. Fortunately, in the modern world, in the era of the dominance of the Internet, it is easier for people to search for information about the structure of a vehicle, possible problems and ways to solve them. Also now anyone can find a circle of car enthusiasts on online resources, forums or social networks who can share their own experience of car repair.
But do-it-yourself repairs require not only knowledge, but also time, the necessary tools and … space for repair. Some types of repair work require free space under the car so that you can get to this or that part, check its operability, and, if necessary, unscrew and put a new one in its place. Low ground clearance of the car, as well as the inaccessibility of some components of the car, may require the owner to have a pit. For example, car service centers most often use electric lifts, which allows the mechanics not to go down anywhere, but to start repairs when the car is right above their heads. This is very convenient and practical, because there is plenty of free space around where you can turn around, and you do not have to constantly climb up for tools. However, in the absence of an electric lift, a pit will come in very handy. However, what to do when you do not have one, and the work needs to be done under the bottom of the car?
There are types of work that cannot be done without a pit or a lift. But let’s talk about situations in which the person repairing the car does not need a lot of free space, does not need to stand at full height.
Jacks and chocks
Sometimes raising one side of the car with a jack is enough to get to the desired unit and inspect or repair. But, alas, this is not always the case. If you need to lift the entire car or one side, front and back, then chocks can come to the rescue. In this case, a chock is an object similar to the most common wooden stump with a round cross-section and a height of the maximum lifting point of the jack. In general, not every type of jack is a safe device, when using which you can safely work under the car.
There are jacks that require good coverage, a flat surface, strong body elements that it will rest against when lifting the car. Without good and reliable jacks, the same chocks will come to the rescue. So, to begin with, such stumps (or other similar objects that are not inferior in strength and dimensions) must be found. The larger their diameter, the better and safer. First, one of the sides of the car is lifted with a jack, a chock is placed (necessarily in a place that can withstand the load of the car), then the car is lowered onto the chock with a jack, and the action is repeated with the other side. This way, you can put the entire car on blocks.
Bricks and boards
There is another option for increasing the space under the car. It does not involve using a lifting device such as a jack. According to this method, you should drive onto the strips of bricks or very strong boards that you have built. The space between the ground and the car will increase, and you will be able to crawl between these strips along the car. To do this, you will need strong whole bricks or strong boards. The width of such a strip should be greater than the width of the wheel, and the length should be sufficient to drive on all four wheels. If the width of the strip is too narrow, there is a risk of the vehicle collapsing, which will sharply reduce the space for repairs and pose a threat to your life. When doing this kind of repair, it would not be a bad idea to ensure your safety by placing the same block under the power elements of the body. At least one, in the place where you will be under the car. There is no need to lower the body onto it, but in the event of any unforeseen situation (car collapse), it will be able to take the impact and leave space for you to get out from under the car. However, bricks and boards can only add a little free space for your repair work.
Curb
In some cases, you can use the following method: drive the front, rear or side wheels onto the curb and secure the vehicle. There will be a gap under the car where you can climb in and begin to inspect the condition of the units or parts you are interested in. However, there will be little space. In addition, it will be problematic to begin inspecting the engine from the bottom. This option will be convenient when you need to inspect units located in the center of the car with a slight offset to the front or rear of the car. For example, if you need to inspect the middle part of the exhaust system, brake hoses, the condition of the body for corrosion, individual suspension elements.
Surface unevenness
The earth’s surface is not always perfectly flat. You can often see holes, deflections, depressions, both on the ground and on poor-quality asphalt pavement. By placing the car over such a section of the surface, you can try to get under the car, provided that the deflection is under the central part of the car, and the wheels are located on an elevated part of the surrounding space. This method does not require additional means and structures (jacks, blocks, strips of bricks and boards, curbs, etc.). It is only important to find such a place. In the city limits, this will be much more difficult to do than in an area with private development or in the countryside.
Flyover and garage rental
If you live near a driving school and can agree with its administration on temporary rental of the flyover (for example, in the evening), this is also an option. However, this option has a significant drawback – a time limit. You will not be able to extend the rental period if classes begin on the site. Renting a garage with a pit is a different matter. Try to find a person who has his own garage and is willing to provide it for temporary use for a fee. You can almost always find the cheapest option. If, for example, a person has an empty garage – why not earn at least a penny by renting it out? And even if you do not meet the deadline, you will have the opportunity to ask the garage owner to extend the time of your stay to continue the repair. Naturally, for an additional fee.
Afterword
Sometimes, it is easier to access some of the vehicle’s components located in its lower part by unscrewing and removing one of the wheels, as well as the fender liner (protection above the wheel). This will give you more free space.
When doing your own car repairs without a pit, while under its body, do not forget about simple safety rules:
- always put your car in gear and apply the handbrake;
- put “stops” (objects that will prevent it from rolling) under the wheels;
- use chocks so that if the car falls (from jacks or the strip), it is the car that takes the impact, and not your body.
Be careful and take care of yourself.
REMEMBER: You can always contact our car service, where your car will be happy to provide professional technical assistance. You can also sign up for a scheduled technical inspection with us! Please familiarize yourself with our services for car repair and diagnostics.
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VEBER-AUTO car service
194044, St. Petersburg
Neyshlotskiy pereulok, house 5, building 3
District: Vyborgsky
Metro: Vyborgskaya – 800 m.
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Seven days a week, from 9:00 to 21:00.
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sto@veberauto.ru
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8 (812) 321-00-00
