Axle stands

Hi all, I’m interested in opinions about the use of axle stands!
I like to carry out my own maintenance and always try to use axle stands, the problem is where to fit them on an Alko chassis!

It’s not recommended to jack my vehicle up by the axles so How can it be correct to fit axle stands under the axle?
But it’s also an Alko chassis, it’s not recommended to support it on stands unless using the correct jacking point (err it’s got the jack under it ) 

Common sense tells me it’s o.k to fit it under 5he chassis close to the wheel axle, but what do others think?

Do you store your mh’s on Stands over winter?

Ray

Hi Ray

Common sense must have told all the engineers who have jacked up our vans the same as it tells you. They have always used the axles as you describe.

Different rear axle to yours, but in answer to your last point, yes, my van is on axle stands over winter, the front is supported on wooden blocks under the wishbones, as close to the wheels as possible. All four wheels are barely off the ground so it's hard to tell. 
I do it more as an extra anti-theft precaution as much as anything.
Al.

Peter Brown wrote:There are two completely different scenarios':

1.  Jack up vehicle for maintenance - use chassis jacking points.

2.  After jacking, keep vehicle supported with wheels off the ground - use axle stands as near to the wheel as practical.  Use 2x4" wooden blocks between the stand and support point if you haven't got a conventional rear axle (ie fwd/alko chassis).

Understand that Peter, what I’m unclear about is whether one should actually support an Alko chassis by the axle?

Ray

Libraryman2 wrote:
Understand that Peter, what I’m unclear about is whether one should actually support an Alko chassis by the axle?

Ray

What supports it when the wheels are on the ground?

Frank

The Axle Frank yes, however it’s not that simple with the Alko chassis, the axle is a load bearing component, the stresses are transmitted the side plates on the chassis, so the best answer I can give is the side plate is strong enough for axle stands but it’s not practical...
As Peter says, they should be fitted as close as possible to the axle but.....on the chassis and Alko tell you that the chassis should not be used.....

I know it’s weird but it’s so unclear...to my mind at least..
I’ve used axle stands this W/e in the most obvious place I can find but.....with wood to spread the load, I see some defamation of the chassis bottom rail..so Alko are correct....don’t use the chassis.

Ray

Thanks Peter, yours is the merc chassis I guess, it may be stronger than the Alko chassis I don’t know, but clearly it’s o.k to use.

Ray

Ahh ok peter...cool

Ray