Using a hydraulic floor jack
4th Gear Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,163
From: Western PA
RE: Using a hydraulic floor jack
ORIGINAL: Dragon Stang
Once again... the weight of the vehicle is distributed over the ends of the axel via the springs and down to the ground through the wheels. That is where the strength is. That is what it is designedto do.The area between the spring seats is notcarrying theload.It doesn'thave to. Remember, the weight of the vehicle is supported over 4 points. Lets say that the weight is 3500 pounds and is distributed 55% front and 45% rear. Now you go and put a jack under the center portion of an axle that is normally supporting well over a 1000 pounds at its ends and your going to tell me that nothing will flex? If the Mustang was built with independent rear suspension allowing the differential to be rigidly mounted and the axels to hang freely, then yes, you could jack it from that point just like jacking the car under the center of the front cross member.
"Physics 101."
ORIGINAL: svastano
I am no engineer but if what is said that by lifting your car by the diff will bend the axel we are in serious trouble! What does potholes do to it? My own feelings is if it really does bend shame on the engineers that built them! That is a serious flaw!Just like Ford Superdutys that have manifold studs rot off at less than 32000 miles! Serious design flaw! Trust me I am in the middle of replacing them right now!!!! I would love to make allthe mechanical engineers work on the distasters that they have created!
I am no engineer but if what is said that by lifting your car by the diff will bend the axel we are in serious trouble! What does potholes do to it? My own feelings is if it really does bend shame on the engineers that built them! That is a serious flaw!Just like Ford Superdutys that have manifold studs rot off at less than 32000 miles! Serious design flaw! Trust me I am in the middle of replacing them right now!!!! I would love to make allthe mechanical engineers work on the distasters that they have created!
"Physics 101."
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 315
From: Michigan
RE: Using a hydraulic floor jack
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You missed my point..... If the engineer is so incompetent that they cannot build an axel that can handle this type of thing they should be fired!
[/quote]
Why should they have to design an axle to allow for people doing dumb things? They have already filled cars with air bags to protect people from the results of doing dumb things. The Feds continue to demand that vehicles become more fuel efficient without comprimising safety. The engineers are constantly looking for areas to cut weight. Do you really think they care if you bend an axle? The damages will show long after the warranty is over. By then, you will have likely sold the vehicle to someone else. I am just saying that if you think jacking a car from under the diff will have no effect, think again.
ff i say.
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 15
From: WA
RE: Using a hydraulic floor jack
Thanks roj, I now have everything I need. The diagram of the lift points shows a sufficient number to avoid potential problems of using the pumpkin and still have enough points to place the hydraulic jack for lifting and then enough places for jack stands. Seems like that is the "better safe than sorry" approach that works for me . . .
1st Gear Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 51
From:
RE: Using a hydraulic floor jack
ORIGINAL: Black GT
Why is it that on some RWD vehicles the rear differential housing is a factory approved jacking point, but in our Mustangs it isn't? What's different?
Why is it that on some RWD vehicles the rear differential housing is a factory approved jacking point, but in our Mustangs it isn't? What's different?
Cut & Paste Expert
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 13,322
From: NW Arkansas
RE: Using a hydraulic floor jack
ORIGINAL: GidyupGo
Double BS my ***! I was referring to the weight at the conection point of the axle tubes to the pumpkin.
ORIGINAL: 157db
BS.
There is noweight of the vehicle on the pumpkinwhen the
vehicle is on the ground. The force is transmitted down from
the springs and out to the wheel hubs. The springs are on
the ends of the axle tubes, not on the center of the axle
where the pumpkin is.
BS.
ORIGINAL: GidyupGo
BS. The same force ..ie...weight of the car is on that same area when the car is on the ground.
ORIGINAL: Dragon Stang
This is exactly what I am talking about. Its not just about stressing the diff, or bending the cover. You have to look beyond the immediate area.
Here, read this:
Okay, here’s a little exercise I like to use when doing training and someone asks me if it’s okay to jack a car from under the differential carrier i.e. “pumpkin”.
Pretend your head is the pumpkin. Your body is the jack. Now, hold your arms out horizontal from your sides. Now, have someone place some weighted objects in each hand and see what happens. Hold it for a bit and you will get the message. Now, before tossing the weights off, have two friends place their shoulders under your out stretched hands. What do you feel? Relief? Now, look at your rear axle with all this in mind. Now put two 2x4s that reach to the ground under your outstretched arms near the ends like where the springs as located. Any easier to hold up the weights now? Exactly.
ORIGINAL: CliffyDeuce
There's a note in the manual to not jack on the differential, but I think it may be OK as long as you pad it and look carefully at what you're jacking on - think about where the stresses are going and make sure you're jacking on a flat area (not stressing the cover, etc).
There's a note in the manual to not jack on the differential, but I think it may be OK as long as you pad it and look carefully at what you're jacking on - think about where the stresses are going and make sure you're jacking on a flat area (not stressing the cover, etc).
Here, read this:
Okay, here’s a little exercise I like to use when doing training and someone asks me if it’s okay to jack a car from under the differential carrier i.e. “pumpkin”.
Pretend your head is the pumpkin. Your body is the jack. Now, hold your arms out horizontal from your sides. Now, have someone place some weighted objects in each hand and see what happens. Hold it for a bit and you will get the message. Now, before tossing the weights off, have two friends place their shoulders under your out stretched hands. What do you feel? Relief? Now, look at your rear axle with all this in mind. Now put two 2x4s that reach to the ground under your outstretched arms near the ends like where the springs as located. Any easier to hold up the weights now? Exactly.
There is noweight of the vehicle on the pumpkinwhen the
vehicle is on the ground. The force is transmitted down from
the springs and out to the wheel hubs. The springs are on
the ends of the axle tubes, not on the center of the axle
where the pumpkin is.
BS.
Double BS my ***! I was referring to the weight at the conection point of the axle tubes to the pumpkin.
Go back to college.
Lift it by the pumpkin and the weight is not the same on the axle tubes
as when its on the ground, no jack.
Levers.