Lifting a TA14

Evening all,  I'm intending to get some long-term maintenance underway later this week.  There's a few odds and sods that need doing; it's time to replace engine and gearbox mounts, replace brake shoes, check/replace exhaust mounting, all oils to be drained and replaced, attend to irritating minor leaks and, after all that, deal with anything else that looks iffy before it becomes something of more concern.  So to make life easy for myself I thought that I'd get Alvira up in the air on my two-post car lift.    I was fortunate to get hold of this secondhand from a very nice lady just down the road.  The lift operates using twin interconnected screw jacks with a three-phase motor at the top of each post (three-phase supplies are normal issue in this part of rural France).  I've used the lift to get better access to my TR4 very successfully but the TA14 poses a greater challenge.  At the front, the chassis is so far in towards the engine that the lifting arms do not reach.  To deal with this I've made a box section lifting beam that will bolt onto the lifting pads.  Once the beams in place, two sliding saddles with wooden support pads can then be positioned beneath the chassis.  The rear is a bit easier as the chassis is further from the vehicle centre-line and the lifting arms just reach.  There is very little clearance however between the running boards and the top of the lifting arms: as little as 5 mm.  To deal with this, I'm intending to jack-up the car and insert packs bolted onto the lifting points.  At the end if this process I should be able to get at her underbelly somewhat more readily than I have before.  My concern now relates to what have I missed?  Is the chassis strong enough to support the lift or shoud she only be raised at the jacking points?  Has anyone done something similar?  All and any advice much appreciated.  Tony Posted by TonyO 27/08/2012 20:35:14

Hi Tony, I'd say that the chassis is plenty strong enough. Particularly as you will be lifting all the way across the front with your beam. The chassis does become lighter behind the rear axle, but where you're lifting it will be plenty beefy enough. I've supported the whole car on 4 axle stands like this, greatly concentrating the load compared with your plan and had no issues. I am, of course, assuming that your chassis isn't rotten! Good luck with the overhaul, Paul. Posted by pryantcc 27/08/2012 22:09:54

Morning Paul,  Thanks for your comments.  As far as I am aware my chassis looks to be in good shape. I will of course be giving it a sharp tap with a lump hammer in the relavent places before lifting her!  The lift has been a godsend with the TR, which is very tricky to get beneath, and well worth it's €600. I had to replace engine and gearbox mounts on her a couple of months ago and what a job that turned out to be.  Engine mounts weren't too bad but the gearbox mounting was a different issue, involving removal of seats, carpets, steering wheel, dashboard, and transmission tunnel etc.  Once this lot was out it was easy!  I'm hoping for a simpler procedure with the TA.  I'll let you know how I get on.  All the best,  Tony Posted by TonyO 28/08/2012 06:06:59