Lancia Beta Forum

I've just come across these on another forum, and they seem to be a variant on the hydraulic scissor jack principle. Here's the link:

https://www.costco.co.uk/Tyres-Automotive/Automotive/Trolley-Jacks-Axle-Stands/QuickJack-Portable-Automatic-Car-Lift-System-Jack-1587kg-Capacity-Model-BL-3500SLX/p/315646 (https://www.costco.co.uk/Tyres-Automotive/Automotive/Trolley-Jacks-Axle-Stands/QuickJack-Portable-Automatic-Car-Lift-System-Jack-1587kg-Capacity-Model-BL-3500SLX/p/315646)

I was wondering if these would be suitable for Betas - they appear to use the jacking points on the sills to lift the car, leaving the wheels and suspension free to be worked on. The Spider is in France so I can't rush out and measure it, but I'd guess that the lightest model in the range (the BL-3500SLX) would suit all the Betas, assuming that the distance between wheels is suitable. The car's weight certainly wouldn't trouble any of the lifts in the range.

Following this theme, I'd be interested to know what form of jacks/lifts people use for work on Betas. A trolley jack and axle stands are pretty limiting in my experience.

I can't see any reason why not however I must say I would be reluctant to regularly lift a beta on its sills I prefer to use stronger points

Where would you lift on if you wanted to work on wheels/suspension/brakes? I do understand your concerns, though.

Try to select a strong load bearing point such as the subframe mountings. It is very awkward I agree. I do quite like the idea of this Jack system but it relies on your sills being absolutely perfect, I can see the load is spread over a large-ish area. If you buy some I'd be interested to know how you get on.
Thinking about this more I think the beta is only intended to be lifted on it's sills at the central jack point, the square brackets with circular hole are not jacking points and were there just to hang the body from in the factory. I'd need to look more closely at a beta sill and think about it.

Living in the back of beyond I'm not familiar with Costco policies is that price incl. or ex. Vat?

I'm not a Costco member, although there is one very close to us in Sheffield. Not sure about the VAT implications. My thought was that the weight of the car would be spread over all 4 jacking points at once, not a spot load on one point. I'm reasonably confident about the sill condition on my Beta - I seem to remember that the sills were reinforced on the Spider, due to the loss of shell stiffness with the absence of a roof, but I may be dreaming that. Ideally I'd like to get confirmation from someone who understands the loads involved and whether the sills are up to it or not.

With that type of jack for wheel/suspension/brakes/subframe  type work and a set of 4 extendable wheel supports you'd have most bases covered. In particular I was thinking of that jack for use with the engine and gearbox out of the car and cleaning up the engine bay. With the weight of the engine and gearbox out of the equation I'd feel much happier with regards to sill loading.

The forum that I found out about the Quickjack on has also come up with another variant on the scissor lift:

http://bhrepairs.co.uk/downloads/Mobile%20Lift%20Brochure%202018.pdf (http://bhrepairs.co.uk/downloads/Mobile%20Lift%20Brochure%202018.pdf)

This costs £1194.00 inc. VAT.  And Costco's prices are exc. VAT, as well...

I've checked and spiders do have two jacking points on each side unlike the other Betas which have only one central point. See the link

https://www.amazon.co.uk/photos/share/tatihjtvsX9ik2GMs66J7DdMhwfB595Yp2WLpY7twVu (https://www.amazon.co.uk/photos/share/tatihjtvsX9ik2GMs66J7DdMhwfB595Yp2WLpY7twVu)

So in theory it will work ok on a spider, subject to no corrosion!

I'm trying to find an official pic of a beta on a lift to see where they lifted them when servicing but struggling so far too find one that shows it accurately, most photos show them over a pit

Well, that's fortuitous - but will give the sills a proper check before taking this any further. Thanks for checking.

I think the actual jacking points are a reinforcement on the SEAM where the outer is welded on, on your standard Jack there will be a slot in the top rest to locate on this seam. If using these lifts I think you'd probably need some slotted rubber pads to locate in the same way.

I can only find this pic of a beta on a lift

https://www.amazon.co.uk/photos/share/FgK0xDkDebDQvr7I5djZWLqL6PVvKveZq45FZNU7Vve (https://www.amazon.co.uk/photos/share/FgK0xDkDebDQvr7I5djZWLqL6PVvKveZq45FZNU7Vve)

Will try to sift the workshop manual to see what it says. In all cases never jack on the square blocks with the hole in the middle as they aren't jacking points and have limited strength.

Yes, I agree, points on the seam are beefed up and there is normally a slot in the jack that fits over that enlarged seam. It wouldn't be too difficult to get some hard rubber blocks and groove them to spread the load a bit. If a garage that you use has a standard 2 post lift like the one in the picture, that's where they'd put the pads on the lifting arms.

You can buy hard rubber circular shaped pads with a slot in various sizes from the likes of eBay or AliExpress

These are actually nicer than the CJ Autos equivalent because of the power hydraulics. I have a drill powered lifting frame that works on the sills and has a tilt function. These would be better BUT you would want a long strip of wood each side to spread the load and stop them bending the central seam.
I have some wood strips from some old oak furniture the do the job nicely. NB my Aluminum trolley Jacks have the rubber pads with slots fitted to prevent slip and damage.     

Good point Eric. If I go that way I'll definitely follow your advice. I do like the BH Repairs scissor lift frame, but it weighs a thumping 350kg and I really need any lift to be reasonably mobile. I've been in contact and it's not possible to dismantle it to move it around, so I'm leaning towards the Quickjack, even though it only lifts about half as high as the one-piece frame jack.