I have been jacking up the Mini by putting a floor jack with a piece of 2x4 scrap against the plastic side skirt. I always push the 2x4 up against the plastic lip as I suspect the sill edge is round. So far so good.

Does anyone ever remove/replace the plastic side skirt and note what the metal under the side skirt looks like? A good photo would be great. I know. Ignorance is bliss as I may not want to know.

 

That's just sheet metal, and a problem in the making.
Either use the jack pads or the formed half frame rail structure.

 

I do the same thing but my 2X4 goes all the way between the jacking points to spread the load out. It's the easiest way to be able to put jack stands under the jack points Been doing this since 2003

 

BlwnAway, are you talking about using the method that is listed on pelican parts how to? I put my jack on that boxed section and it crumpled. I've been using the method that ModMINI uses for a few years now and haven't had any problems but I know that doesn't necessarily mean nothing bad will happen in the future.

 

Correct, personally I'm less worried about the slight crumple, than adding an extra point where things can shift (mainly between the wood and the jack itself), esp once you get to the higher positions and you have to trust that your jack will roll smoothly.
If you want to use the piece of wood method, then use something wide enough that if you're using the spot weld lip for stability/positioning, that it also gets under the structural member too.
Just my thoughts on it.

 

Hmmm, interesting. I don't mind the crumple from a cosmetic point of view, I mean who looks at the underside of most cars? but I took the crumpling of that area to mean that it wouldn't support weight well, especially because it caused the car to shift when it crumpled. Is that wrong?

 

I initiated this post as I was hoping someone who install one of those fancy aero skirts will have a photo or two showing the sheet metal structure underneath. Needless to say we all know it is just a box cross section of a sill beam typical of unibody. Most unibody sill will simply crumble if you place 50% of the weight of the car on it. Apparently not our Mini's.

I have looked at those short flimsy box beam farther in and decided it is not to be trusted.

I always put the 2x4 right up against the vertical drop seam knowing it is likely the strongest line there. A generous size 3 ton jack works much better than those $49 "2 ton" toy jacks. As the years go by, 3 tone jacks get shorter by the year.

 

Why do I tend to answer my own question? I was just browsing google image search fotos, and here it is. I have to say it is very reassuring. It is the most unusual sill of any unibody cars I know.

credit to the pepper white owner at Minitorque over the other side of the pond



No wonder our Mini's are so stiff.

 

I still would like to see a more closeup photo of the "beam" at the sill. One with a view from under would be really nice. The photo gives me an impression there is a flat surface along the whole length to spread the load when jacking - with a piece of 2x4 scrap. Yes, as the car rises very high on one side, the angle is always a concern for me.

Here is another similar photo from across the pond - credit to Pobsey

 

Is there any similarity between the mini side skirts and the underpining of a Scotsman's kilt?
ISAMIN

 

Not as soft as it seems?