How to put whole car in jack stands?

[Dos::Avants]

What is the best way to jack up the car and put jack stands on the four corners? I just don't want to jack the car on the wrong place and crunch up the underside. Is there a trick (sequence & location of jacking) to doing this since I want to put ALL the wheels in the air?

Thanks!

[CO AVANT]

jack up the fronts on the frame rail with a low profile jack and place the jack in the oem mounting spot. after the fronts are in the air, I jack right behind the tow hook in the rear so the rear comes up even on both sides so the jacks in front don't have uneven raising and settling. Place the jacks in the rear oem jack locations and slowly lower the car down onto the jacks. Good to go.

[diagnosticator]

I use the specified jacking points, and place a jack stand at the front and rear subframe to body mounts using a block of hardwood or similar pading between the mounting bolt and the jack stand. Having two floor jacks makes the task much easier and faster.

[CO AVANT]

I need 2 floor jacks

[Dos::Avants]

Thanks for the replies guys, but if I am understanding you both correctly, I should jack up the front where the jack points are & place jack STANDS ahead of them? Then jack up the rear on the jacking points & place jack STANDS behind them?

Thanks again...

[dougyfresh]

I need 2 floor jacks

I just put my car on a lift

[CO AVANT]

I just put my car on a lift

Bastid

Dos: yes that is correct

[Dos::Avants]

I just put my car on a lift

Yeah, Basta!

Do you have a personal lift that you bought or have access to a shop? I always dreamed about having my own personal lift, but my garage sits below a room so the ceiling is too low. Next house, if it ever happens, I am definitely going to invest in a lift....

Thanks COAVANT!

[diagnosticator]

Thanks for the replies guys, but if I am understanding you both correctly, I should jack up the front where the jack points are & place jack STANDS ahead of them? Then jack up the rear on the jacking points & place jack STANDS behind them?

Thanks again...

Placing the jackstands at the jacking locations directly forward of, or directly behind the floor jacks, is problematic due to space issues. This is why I place the floor jacks at the jacking locations, a floor jack on each side, alternately operate each jack to raise the front end of the car, then position the jack stands directly under the subframe to body mounts. Lower each jack slowly to load the jack stands, then move the jacks to the rear and repeat. The subframe mounts used are the two rear mounts in the front, and the two forward mounts in the rear. A weight force spreader pad must be placed between each jack stand and the subframe mounting to ensure stability. Using a tight grained hardwood pad works well, provided the pad does not split from the load. A 1" to 2" thick, by 6 inch diameter round hardwood pad with a 1 1/4" hole in the center to provide clearance for the subframe mounting bolt head, is ideal.

[B6Lovin]

^got any pictures of what you're talking about?

you kinda lost me...

[gotquattro]

looks rather like a doughnut....



-

[dougyfresh]

Yeah, Basta!

Do you have a personal lift that you bought or have access to a shop? I always dreamed about having my own personal lift, but my garage sits below a room so the ceiling is too low. Next house, if it ever happens, I am definitely going to invest in a lift....

Thanks COAVANT!

Sorry to stick my tongue out at you guys... My friend built a garage with a lift so I just drive 10mins over to his house to do my work. I'm very fortunate to have this at my disposal. It makes life 10x easier. Every task is a breeze now . Esp when I had to swap my stock exhaust back on last December. Took all of 20minutes.

There are some photos of the garage here:
http://www.audigeeks.com/forums/inde...20948#msg20948
Its now fully heated, insulated and sheetrocked.



Back on topic.....
When I'm at home (as when I pull my motor in a few weeks), I do pretty much exactly what John describes here:

Placing the jackstands at the jacking locations directly forward of, or directly behind the floor jacks, is problematic due to space issues. This is why I place the floor jacks at the jacking locations, a floor jack on each side, alternately operate each jack to raise the front end of the car, then position the jack stands directly under the subframe to body mounts. Lower each jack slowly to load the jack stands, then move the jacks to the rear and repeat. The subframe mounts used are the two rear mounts in the front, and the two forward mounts in the rear. A weight force spreader pad must be placed between each jack stand and the subframe mounting to ensure stability. Using a tight grained hardwood pad works well, provided the pad does not split from the load. A 1" to 2" thick, by 6 inch diameter round hardwood pad with a 1 1/4" hole in the center to provide clearance for the subframe mounting bolt head, is ideal.

I place the jackstands exactly where John mentioned.

I carefully make sure the jack stands are seated well on the car and have a piece of wood between the jackstands the and ground to prevent sinking into the asphalt. I don't place wood in between the jackstands and car but its a good idea. Good idea from being extremely safe and having the car completely supported evenly.


I accomplish this with one floor jack and its kind of sketchy at times but I take my time and the car eventually gets evenly supported. Probably takes me 30min or more to get the car supported safely with one floor jack.

[CO AVANT]

I don't know why you guys have a problem with just jacking up at/behind the rear tow hook. Yeah, it's not a true "jacking point" blah blah blah.....it works plain and simple. I've been using that point for YEARS and never had an issue with it. This way I can get both jack stands under the rear jacking points at the same time and same height.

[Dos::Avants]

^^^^^^ You mean where the spare wheel well is located? Is this strong enough to handle the weight? I guess if it can be used to tow the whole car then it MUST be a reinforced point, huh? What about the front then?

[Dos::Avants]

Placing the jackstands at the jacking locations directly forward of, or directly behind the floor jacks, is problematic due to space issues. This is why I place the floor jacks at the jacking locations, a floor jack on each side, alternately operate each jack to raise the front end of the car, then position the jack stands directly under the subframe to body mounts. Lower each jack slowly to load the jack stands, then move the jacks to the rear and repeat. The subframe mounts used are the two rear mounts in the front, and the two forward mounts in the rear. A weight force spreader pad must be placed between each jack stand and the subframe mounting to ensure stability. Using a tight grained hardwood pad works well, provided the pad does not split from the load. A 1" to 2" thick, by 6 inch diameter round hardwood pad with a 1 1/4" hole in the center to provide clearance for the subframe mounting bolt head, is ideal.

Ditto, I'm also having a hard time visualizing this. Any closeup pics?

Thank you.

[Dos::Avants]

diagnosticator: Okay, I looked under the car & I think I know where the jack stands should be up front. Is it located right behind the front wheels & about a foot & half inboard?

I didn't see a similar spot on the rear.

Thanks...

[CO AVANT]

^^^^^^ You mean where the spare wheel well is located? Is this strong enough to handle the weight? I guess if it can be used to tow the whole car then it MUST be a reinforced point, huh? What about the front then?

I've jacked up by the rear tow hook dozens of times without any damage or bending of the metal at that point. I would NOT use the front the same way.

The jack stand points are underneith your sideskirts. They are about 8" long or so.

[B6driver]

my jack points are all crunched up... i cant really use the oem widow maker anymore. but who uses that anyway?

[gotquattro]

-

[Dos::Avants]

^^^yes, that's what I thought. BUT what about the rear location? I suppose I could use the rear tow location and put the stands on the regular jack points after I've put the stands on the sub frame points up front?

[diagnosticator]

^^^yes, that's what I thought. BUT what about the rear location? I suppose I could use the rear tow location and put the stands on the regular jack points after I've put the stands on the sub frame points up front?

I will follow up here soon

[CO AVANT]

^^^yes, that's what I thought. BUT what about the rear location? I suppose I could use the rear tow location and put the stands on the regular jack points after I've put the stands on the sub frame points up front?

That's how I've always done it. 40+ times without a single issue. Some people who always "go by the book" might say it is unsafe or not strong enough. Well I call BS. Trial and error FTW bitches

[Dos::Avants]

Too bad I'm not friends with this guy

[diagnosticator]

diagnosticator: Okay, I looked under the car & I think I know where the jack stands should be up front. Is it located right behind the front wheels & about a foot & half inboard?

I didn't see a similar spot on the rear.

Thanks...

The rear subframe mounts are circled in the view above, the locations for the rear jackstands. Alternatively, you can place the jackstands under the rear subframe itself, where there is clearance below to place the jack stands. DO NOT jack up the car by jacking under the rear differential housing. Also remember to prepare before hand, by obtaining some hardwood spacers to place between the car and the jack stands. Getting the car up on four jackstands is really a lot easier and safer if you use two floor jacks together, one on each side, to raise each end of the car to position the jack stands, and avoids tilting the chassis at large angles when lifting one corner at a time. Considering the ease and safety using two floor jacks, the cost to have two floor jacks is cheap, and practically eliminates the chance that the car may slip off a jack stand while lifting one corner at a time.

[GTMRS4]

I'm stoked my wife and I are buying a house so we are building a attached 2 story garage with 2 electric lifts... pics to come when built

[dougyfresh]

I'm stoked my wife and I are buying a house so we are building a attached 2 story garage with 2 electric lifts... pics to come when built

Good to hear! I'm looking forward to those photos.

[Dos::Avants]

I'm stoked my wife and I are buying a house so we are building a attached 2 story garage with 2 electric lifts... pics to come when built

Bah, Humbug!

[Dos::Avants]

The rear subframe mounts are circled in the view above, the locations for the rear jackstands. Alternatively, you can place the jackstands under the rear subframe itself, where there is clearance below to place the jack stands. DO NOT jack up the car by jacking under the rear differential housing. Also remember to prepare before hand, by obtaining some hardwood spacers to place between the car and the jack stands. Getting the car up on four jackstands is really a lot easier and safer if you use two floor jacks together, one on each side, to raise each end of the car to position the jack stands, and avoids tilting the chassis at large angles when lifting one corner at a time. Considering the ease and safety using two floor jacks, the cost to have two floor jacks is cheap, and practically eliminates the chance that the car may slip off a jack stand while lifting one corner at a time.

Awesome Thanks! It makes sense to buy 2 jacks to lift both sides equally...

[MarkChai]

Awesome thread. Thanks guys.

[skeeball]

Great thread.

Does anyone have an opinion on the Craftsman jack with integrated jack stands? I saw it in the store but it doesn't look like it's on the website. I guess there may be clearance issues.

[dougyfresh]

Great thread.

Does anyone have an opinion on the Craftsman jack with integrated jack stands? I saw it in the store but it doesn't look like it's on the website. I guess there may be clearance issues.

are you referring to this? :
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...nd%7CCraftsman

Don't think its worth it in my opinion.



I have these jackstands (4 of 'em):
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...Lift+Equipment

and a 2ton (or is it 3ton? I can't remember) floor jack from Advance Auto I bought 10years ago.

[skeeball]

That's the one. I searched but didn't find it. It is kind of pricey. When I saw it in the store it was on special with the Craftsman Club so it was a bit cheaper.

[dougyfresh]

I wouldn't bother. You can spend less money on four good jackstands and a good floor jack.

[turboSpartan]

The rear subframe mounts are circled in the view above, the locations for the rear jackstands. Alternatively, you can place the jackstands under the rear subframe itself, where there is clearance below to place the jack stands. DO NOT jack up the car by jacking under the rear differential housing. Also remember to prepare before hand, by obtaining some hardwood spacers to place between the car and the jack stands. Getting the car up on four jackstands is really a lot easier and safer if you use two floor jacks together, one on each side, to raise each end of the car to position the jack stands, and avoids tilting the chassis at large angles when lifting one corner at a time. Considering the ease and safety using two floor jacks, the cost to have two floor jacks is cheap, and practically eliminates the chance that the car may slip off a jack stand while lifting one corner at a time.

Anyone know what the last three pictures were of (they are now red X's)?

I need to put my summer wheels on today, but dont want to use the widowmaker. I have a floor jack but it only has the circular "cup" which is about 6" across - don't really think it would work well with our stock jack locations and the pinch welds.

I've read in this thread or another to use the rear subframe mounts or the rear tow hook (for the rear) but what about the front?

Any ideas?

[diagnosticator]

I think the pics where lost when AZ crashed awhile ago. But if I recall correctly now, there was a view of the subframe with jack stands placed under the rear pair of subframe to body mounts, and a drawing of a 1 1/2" thick, 4" diameter, round hardwood spacer with a 1 1/4" hole in the middle, used between the jack stands and the subframe mounts.

[big-L]

i just bench press the car and have some one throw the stands underneath

[turboSpartan]

I ended up just using my jack lift in the stock jack locations (as shown in the manual).

I put a piece of 2x4 about 3 inches long and then put a hockey puck on top of it (captain obvious' idea).

Seemed to work pretty well.... The welds didn't seem to bend, or at least not that much.

[ed1380]

Sorry to stick my tongue out at you guys... My friend built a garage with a lift so I just drive 10mins over to his house to do my work. I'm very fortunate to have this at my disposal. It makes life 10x easier. Every task is a breeze now . Esp when I had to swap my stock exhaust back on last December. Took all of 20minutes.

There are some photos of the garage here:
http://www.audigeeks.com/forums/inde...20948#msg20948
Its now fully heated, insulated and sheetrocked.

sorry to up you one but i got one in the garage downstairs
<- its on the lift in the picture
id be afraid to have the car be on 2 jacks. you'd have to have it perfectly balanced

[Casius]

Want to revive this old thread and just ask about the weight spreaders you use diagnosticator. Did you just grab some oak and cut it out as you mentioned before? I'm just worried about the wood busting to be honest, jack stands always have those two lips that stick out on the ends, which will either just dig into the wood or crack it in half.

[nazisled]

Want to revive this old thread and just ask about the weight spreaders you use diagnosticator. Did you just grab some oak and cut it out as you mentioned before? I'm just worried about the wood busting to be honest, jack stands always have those two lips that stick out on the ends, which will either just dig into the wood or crack it in half.

I used the same small block of wood for 4 or 5 years until it finally crumbled. Put the indents on the wood right on the jack mouth (that's what i call it lol)