correct jack stand placement.

[Keith_M]

I just recently learned why the manual recommends placing the jack under the A arm (under the front coil spring). Typically, I lift the front with a piece of thick rubber industrial belting atop the jack's pan and a three or four-inch wide piece of wood between that and the frame. I do this on both sides, then add the jack stands. This, of course, allows the wheel spindles, etc., to hang, nicely crushing the rubber buffer rebound

Also, Luke Skywalker says he uses a floor jack under the differential to lift the rear before installing jack stands, and I know I have seen it done, but is that a good idea? All of this tells us that working on Healeys can be challenging, and thank heaven for this Web site.

Good point. Although I jack the front of the car under the crossmember, I place my jack stands under the A-arms so that my suspension doesn't hang.

I don't see a problem with jacking up the rear of the car up by placing a jack under the differential housing. My jack stands go under the axle housing.

Keith

 

[CLEAH]

Keith,

It appears that Patrick's jack saddle is the same as Michael's, which as he said was made by the late Lynn Cline of Hudson, Ohio. Anyone would do well to copy his design as he did nice stuff. I am lucky enough to own Lynn's rotisserie (my BJ8 is on it now) and it is extremely well engineered and very robust.

Since safety is the primary purpose for using the jack saddle, I would add further support to yours. Something like this should be able to support the car even if the goofiest thing happens, and I can't see that flat quarter inch plate holding the weight of the car if that once in a million thing happens and the car is dangling off one edge of the saddle. Easy enough to add more steel, like Lynn did.

 

[Keoke]

Luke Skywalker says he uses a floor jack under the differential to lift the rear before installing jack stands, and I know I have seen it done, but is that a good idea?

Can't think of a better way to get the arse end up and set the jack stands on each side.

 

[Michael Oritt]

Patrick--

This is the Harbor Freight jack I refer to:

https://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton...vy-duty-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-68050.html

If anyone is interested in acquiring a custom jack saddle similar to that shown in my earlier posts to fit a Healey's front and rear cross members please contact my friend and fabricator extraordinaire Jon Edwards who has copied the pattern from mine which I bought from the late Lin Cline.

Jon is best reached via his cell at 815-355-4834 though you may leave a vm on his home phone: 301-862-3583. Jon will be happy to configure the saddle so that it attaches to your jack in the same manner as does your existing saddle.

 

[Legal Bill]

I put the stand on the frame rails with no damage. Here is my method.

I stop pumping the jack just short of fully extended and then place the jack stands up tight against the frame rails using terry cloth between the stand saddles and the frame rails to prevent damage to the paint. So long as the jack is not in the way, I leave it in place. If I need the space, I lower it carefully until I can roll the jack out of the way. Because the stands are already tight against the rails there is no impact or impact damage. Because I have a bit of reserve height I can lift the car off the jack stands by pumping the jack to its full height when I'm done.

 

[Healey Nut]

Heres what I use for getting the car up in the air .... Works every time
I even have a nice office chair to scoot around on when Im underneath the car working .....may as well be comfortable :emmersed:

 

[Keith_M]

Heres what I use for getting the car up in the air .... Works every time
I even have a nice office chair to scoot around on when Im underneath the car working .....may as well be comfortable :emmersed:

Jealous. :miserable::blue: