Club 80-90 Forums

Had a blowout on the M9 yesterday. Pulled off to the side,not happy obviously but I can change it no problem. Get the jack out,tyre breaker bar,fancy red triangle (to keep the Mrs busy) and get the spare released and ready.
Now to be fair I’ve never used this jack ever because I have assorted trolley jacks and stands at home but assumed it would be up to the job.
The base plate on it is only about 4inches sq. Right off I knew I was in trouble lifting all that weight on a small surface area like that and sure enough I get it just off the ground and the whole van shifts, the jack tips and falls over. 
I’ve never seen any extra base plate or support for the jack but surely there must be more.
Anyone know anything about these jacks? VW couldn’t have made such a poor jack for these could they?
FYI:I wasn’t going to risk it further and called roadside assistance and they came and sorted the tyre out and 2 hours later was heading home again.

I used mine last week. I carry a piece of composite decking to use as a base. If it's not on solid ground.

Never had a problem using the stock jack, unless the jacking point is corroded and it collapses. The jack itself has worked fine for me as long as the vehicle is on hard level ground, and the handbrake is on.

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Glad you were lucky to have not got the wheel off.
I've not managed to get my handbrake working well,
despite several experts working on it and all new parts,
so that doesnt help, chocking the van is imperative.
With my jack are good blocks of wood to rest it on.
It is however, a last resort, using the OEM jack.
I too would be interested in replacing it.
I do use my "farm jack" more often but its a lot to lug about.
So I dont carry it on journeys unless I expect to use it.

Same. Kind of, anyway. A piece of quality ply about 6x6". Not shown here. Plus this prevention accessory shown below; l removed a clickety driveshift and repacked it with grease on a tour of the Highlands in 2017. Happy days, they were.
Not ideal, tbh!

maxstu wrote: ↑02 Aug 2023, 16:09 Same. Kind of, anyway. A piece of quality ply about 6x6". Not shown here. Plus this prevention accessory shown below; l removed a clickety driveshift and repacked it with grease on a tour of the Highlands in 2017. Happy days, they were.
Not ideal, tbh!

That axel stand looks a bit "pooh".. 

Has been quipped on here before.....
A bog standard jack.

Yup , plenty of times, just put a wheel underneath, it’s an emergency Jack

It's my 'go to' jack for general work. Just slot in axle stands straight away! I have a block of hardwood to put under it always in the van. As said, good handbrake or its going to roll away on you

maxstu wrote: ↑02 Aug 2023, 16:09 Same. Kind of, anyway. A piece of quality ply about 6x6". Not shown here. Plus this prevention accessory shown below; l removed a clickety driveshift and repacked it with grease on a tour of the Highlands in 2017. Happy days, they were.
Not ideal, tbh!

If that topples of the jack - you'll be right in the s***

Carry a folding chassis stand? Not that it would improve the oem jack (made by Bilstein iirc)

Always make sure that the jack is fully plugged in, otherwise you can damage the jacking point. Been there.

Had a rear blow out just 3 weeks ago, OEM jack did the job. We used it on firm ground, applied the handbrake and chocked the front wheels with our levelling ramps as we were in a lay by on a slight incline with lorries creating turbulence as they sped past us. Those scissor jacks supplied with some cars are the ones that I do not trust at all, I suppose calling the RAC or carry a huge hydraulic jack is the only alternative.

I've often used the OEM jack, by itself just to quickly change a wheel, but always in conjunction with axle stands or wood blocks in the garage for maintenance.
If used with knowledge of their shortcomings they are about as good or bad as most flimsy jacks.
And yes, make sure the handbrake is firmly on and the van won't slide sideways.

Sure thing, but always with a Jackstand when removing the wheel or anything like that

As mentioned above, ensure jack is soundly home in the jacking point and on solid ground, they tend to move and crunch on gravel. And of course emergency use, best to have another support like axle stands for prolonged repairs.