RobPhoboS Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Hey guys, I'm thinking of possibly using something like: http://www.pitstartgarage.com Just to do a few bits (suspension swap initially), as I think it'll be easier to work on the car whilst it's on a ramp rather than axle stands. Has anyone used them or someone similar ? Quote
Marcus01 Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 I haven't used this garage but I have used similar venues and in my opinion they are very good for the car enthusiast. They usually have a skilled tech on site if you get into difficulties. Not expensive and so much better than working in the street with jacks. Quote
Flex Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 That's pretty cool, I always worry that I'll get squashed everytime I change the oil! Quote
RobPhoboS Posted January 21, 2015 Author Posted January 21, 2015 hahaha, yes I've certainly thought that before. Well I'll give this one a go, not far from me. Quote
ZMANALEX Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Great value if you are local and do not have your own facilities. Quote
BulletMagnet Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Just don't name your car Christine 1 Quote
martybhoy Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 I've looked for a one about my area a few times as I have fancied rustproofing the bottom of the car. None I can find in glasgow though. Quote
-Bradders- Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 If i genuinely get a spare afternoon, i'll do it lol, my garage isn't on the road so its easier, nothing wrong with axle stands if anything i find it easier as if your doing shocks etc.. you need to have access to the top easily, saves having to lift the car up down up down etc..and you hope its not a ramp that you drive up onto because you need to take the wheels off lol. Quote
RobPhoboS Posted January 21, 2015 Author Posted January 21, 2015 Hey Brad, either way is great, I just thought it would be worth posting this as not many people know about them. I think you can see the ramps from the photos of the particular place I posted. Half tempting to start one out here in East London! 1 Quote
mrt Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 If anyone needs one in the North East,there,s one near Darlington on th A66 called Rent a Ramp ! A66 on the road into darl from Stockton. 1 Quote
rabbitstew Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Seems expensive to me tbh. £80 a day. That would pay for a service on the car itself with oil/filters etc. One thing id be worried about from experience is that very often what you think is a 1hr job ends up being a nightmare and taking 10 hours or more. If your car is in bits on a ramp then you will be stuck there until you get things fixed, hoping that if you need any extra parts they wont take ages to arrive. Quote
Vlad Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 I've had "Ramp and Wrench" in Coventry few times before. £15ph to rent a ramp! Makes any job so much easier! 2 Quote
ZMANALEX Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Seems expensive to me tbh. £80 a day. That would pay for a service on the car itself with oil/filters etc. One thing id be worried about from experience is that very often what you think is a 1hr job ends up being a nightmare and taking 10 hours or more. If your car is in bits on a ramp then you will be stuck there until you get things fixed, hoping that if you need any extra parts they wont take ages to arrive. If you know your way around a 350Z, in an 8 hour day you could replace the clutch, fit pads and rotors all round and carry out a P3. So with an outlay of £80.00 you would save circa £500.00 in labour charges based on £60.00 per hour + vat. The rent a ramp garages should also have jacking beams and transmission jacks to boot. 1 Quote
RobPhoboS Posted January 21, 2015 Author Posted January 21, 2015 The rent a ramp garages should also have jacking beams and transmission jacks to boot. Yep they do from the one I posted, so not a problem as Brad had feared. 1 Quote
rabbitstew Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Seems expensive to me tbh. £80 a day. That would pay for a service on the car itself with oil/filters etc. One thing id be worried about from experience is that very often what you think is a 1hr job ends up being a nightmare and taking 10 hours or more. If your car is in bits on a ramp then you will be stuck there until you get things fixed, hoping that if you need any extra parts they wont take ages to arrive. If you know your way around a 350Z, in an 8 hour day you could replace the clutch, fit pads and rotors all round and carry out a P3. So with an outlay of £80.00 you would save circa £500.00 in labour charges based on £60.00 per hour + vat. The rent a ramp garages should also have jacking beams and transmission jacks to boot. Agreed £80+parts compared to stealer prices. I was comparing £80+parts against £0 + parts by jacking the car up in your drive & servicing it yourself. But for things like a clutch, having the car in the air would be easier. Quote
Lexx Posted January 21, 2015 Posted January 21, 2015 Might be worth starting a Sticky thread with a list of "rent a ramp" places around the UK with reviews as to the costs and available kit. 1 Quote
RobPhoboS Posted January 24, 2015 Author Posted January 24, 2015 Heading there this evening. Call up a day in advance to book though. Quote
RobPhoboS Posted January 24, 2015 Author Posted January 24, 2015 Right, so an hour job turned into 2.5 hours & I only managed to do half of the job as two bolts started rounding (sorry Sly over to you mate). But the cool thing is, you aren't kicked out for staying longer, so you just carry on until you're done. It's not pristine down there but you've got everything you could possibly need, and it sure beats being out in the cold ! (although I still wore thermals hah) As mentioned, it really is worth calling a day or so in advanced, especially for the weekend. I've got the suspension to do pretty soon, I may end up doing that particular job on the drive as if I break something, at least I can leave it there without an issue. Quote
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