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Getting the car off the ground

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bash

bash

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It's been a while since I was able to do any work on the car, but I am back now and eager to get the old girl back on the road. I have plenty of jobs to do, and I would like to get all four wheels off the ground. I was given a load of stands, but it feels a bit dangerous jacking up the back with the front already on stands - it tends to lift at the side I am jacking. Is there a safe place to jack in the centre at the front or back? Should be simple, I know, but I would be grateful for some reassurance! I am nervous enough working with the car on stands...

Cheers
Alistair
 
I jack up the front, then place a floor jack with a 12" long 2x4 that spans the "t-shirt" brace from side to side. I then place jack stands near where the trailing arms mount to the frame.
 
I had the TR3 off the ground this past weekend... drained/refilled the transmission and diff and adjusted the hand brake linkage. To get under there on a creeper, and keep the car approximately level, all four wheels had to be off the ground about 6 inches. I used (Rhino) ramps in the front and jack stands in the rear. I used two trolley (floor) jacks, one on each side on the frame (main member rear) and go a couple pumps on one then the other so as not to flex the frame too much. I've used the same method, two trolley jacks working together, to raise the front end a couple inches, set the jack stands, raise the rear a couple inches, two more jack stands, back and forth until I get to the desired height. Same procedure coming down...an inch or two at the time. Takes a little time, but is stable. The jacks are cheap ones, about $20 each from PepBoys or Walmart...2 or 2 1/2 ton capacity.

Ray
 
If this helps....

Working on stands is fairly safe, as long as you don't overload(10 ton truck on 2 ton stands). I have put my Lincoln LS a 4000+ pound car on 4 stands to 20inches high. It was rock solid. I used scrap pieces of oak between the stands and car to prevent paint chipping. Use wheel chocks to prevent rolling when jacking. Take your time.

Good luck.
 
I use four AC hydraulics brand flat-top jack stands like these on the frame:

https://www.ultimategarage.com/minijack.htm

Good for 6,000lb each, and the flat rubber tops ensure the car will never slip. Expensive at $100 a pop, but worth every penney IMHO.
 
I use four 2 ton jack stands with a roller floor jack to get it up. I've found SOLID center points (frame under radiator and on the differential) to jack it up. It usually takes 2 times on each end to get things all the way up.
I also will keep that roller jack up under the car(just touching) while working as added security.

I also bought one of those roller plant trays (Kmart) to use for my tools. It has indents for loose parts. $11.
jeff
 
[ QUOTE ]
I use four 2 ton jack stands with a roller floor jack to get it up. I've found SOLID center points (frame under radiator and on the differential) to jack it up. It usually takes 2 times on each end to get things all the way up.
I also will keep that roller jack up under the car(just touching) while working as added security.

[/ QUOTE ]

Likewise. And an excellent point about keeping the roller jack under and touching the car. I do the very same thing.
 
Yes - per Jeff and Bill's comments do keep some pressure on the jack as a measure of safety.

You should also make sure that when you lower the car the jack handle is down towards the ground as some of them have a tendancy to rise when pressure is released and the car lowers to the ground. May not be an issue with your jack, but I almost got my hand caught once....
 
Like others I keep the jack under slight preassure along with using the jack stands.
I always use as level of a surface as possible and check the jack stands to make sure they are all solidly on the floor and not only on two legs, I also check to be sure the vehicle is solid upon each jack stand.
The only thing I ever do without jack stands is change a single tire. Two or more tires off or any work other than changing a tire I err on the side of caution.
I figure it only has to slip once.
 
Thanks for the replies, guys. I think I will go out and buy either a bigger jack or another small one. I wouldn't need to if I could just convince the wife I need a proper lift in the garage...
 
I also use spare tires underneath the frame in spots just in case. I have plenty, so in addition to the jack stands and jack, I use the tires too.
 
I have many of my cars up on jack stands all too often, they range from the GT6 to the XJ6. First thing I will say is get some good jack stands, even the smallest car that you can think of you do not want on your head. When the car is up on jacks I usually use 6. One at each jack point or on a susp pickup point (depends on what you are doing) and one under the rear axle at a little lower level, same on the ft. cross member. I also give the car a good shake before getting under it. I currently have an car about 18" off the ground doing some tranny work. The extra jack stands are just in case.
 
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