Using a Floor Jack and Jackstands
06-25-2009, 08:46 AM
#1
4th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 1,454
Using a Floor Jack and Jackstands
Hello,
I'm buying a floor jack and jack stands and was wondering the best way to jack our car up and use the jackstands. The main reason I'm buying them is to obviously make it easier to jack the car up and make it safer to work under. My first project is to take my wheels off to see if Ford left the rotor clips on (my steering wheel shakes at around 60mph). While I have the wheels off, I thought I'd also install my clear corners. I figure it will be easier to do with the wheels off.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!
I'm buying a floor jack and jack stands and was wondering the best way to jack our car up and use the jackstands. The main reason I'm buying them is to obviously make it easier to jack the car up and make it safer to work under. My first project is to take my wheels off to see if Ford left the rotor clips on (my steering wheel shakes at around 60mph). While I have the wheels off, I thought I'd also install my clear corners. I figure it will be easier to do with the wheels off.
Any thoughts?
Thanks!
06-25-2009, 09:18 AM
#2
6th Gear Member
Other than using the stock jack when I took my wheels off to check for the clips, I've always used ramps. I consider them safer and easier to use. I have a set of RhinoRamps and they're worth every penny. And they have rubber feet so they don't slide like some others do on finished surfaces.
Check the Owners Manual regarding jacking and support locations. If I recall, the rear axle and the axle pumpkin should NOT be used for jacking.
Check the Owners Manual regarding jacking and support locations. If I recall, the rear axle and the axle pumpkin should NOT be used for jacking.
06-25-2009, 09:45 AM
#3
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Newark, Delaware
Posts: 1,259
A big +1 to what Nuke said about ramps. I bought ramps initially until I came upon an awesome deal for a 3-ton floor jack and stands ($90 total). Now, I just place the ramps underneath the tires while the car is sitting on stands. If the jack AND stands fail, at least the car falls onto the ramps, and I have a few precious seconds to scurry out from underneath...
Whenever I'm jacking the front up, I always have the jack support at least some of the weight...enough so that the stands aren't going ANYWHERE, but that I at least know that the car's weight is supported by more than just the jack or just the stands.
Jacking up the front end is easy as cake. Note the highest arrow in this picture.
Here's a real pic (below). In addition to placing stands under the front axle, you can also place jack stands under the frame that runs parallel to the rocker panels. Some installs like a short-throw shifter call for the front axle to hang freely.
http://mustanglife.tenmagazines.com/...eImageID=29338
Now as far as jacking up the back end goes...I'm not too sure...
Jacking by the differential is dangerous to the car...but I can't really see any other way of lifting the entire back end up. I figure if you put a block of wood under the diff and immediately get some stands under the rear axle, then maybe...
Anyone have any insights?
Whenever I'm jacking the front up, I always have the jack support at least some of the weight...enough so that the stands aren't going ANYWHERE, but that I at least know that the car's weight is supported by more than just the jack or just the stands.
Jacking up the front end is easy as cake. Note the highest arrow in this picture.
Here's a real pic (below). In addition to placing stands under the front axle, you can also place jack stands under the frame that runs parallel to the rocker panels. Some installs like a short-throw shifter call for the front axle to hang freely.
http://mustanglife.tenmagazines.com/...eImageID=29338
Now as far as jacking up the back end goes...I'm not too sure...
Jacking by the differential is dangerous to the car...but I can't really see any other way of lifting the entire back end up. I figure if you put a block of wood under the diff and immediately get some stands under the rear axle, then maybe...
Anyone have any insights?
Last edited by East87; 06-25-2009 at 09:47 AM.
06-25-2009, 09:52 AM
#4
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Montaner
Posts: 6,193
I always jack the front end up by the k member. Seems to work well. And once I get jack stands under the front end I always leave the floor jack under there with just enough tension that if one of the jack stands fails the floor jack should catch it.
As for the rear... lol controversy! Manual and Ford say it's a no-no to jack by the diff. The reality is that almost everyone does it and with no perceived ill effects. The biggest problem would be if you don't get a block of wood under there and do it from just behind the seam on the diff cover. You don't want to pop the seal.
As for the rear... lol controversy! Manual and Ford say it's a no-no to jack by the diff. The reality is that almost everyone does it and with no perceived ill effects. The biggest problem would be if you don't get a block of wood under there and do it from just behind the seam on the diff cover. You don't want to pop the seal.
06-25-2009, 09:52 AM
#5
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Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: ~VA~
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06-25-2009, 12:23 PM
#9
1st Gear Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Posts: 64
Yes, I have a set at home that bent. Luckily I didn't have the tires off the car yet and wasn't underneath it. It just kind of fell on its tires. Of course the jack stands are older than I am so that might have something to do with it.
06-25-2009, 12:55 PM
#10
4th Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Northern VA
Posts: 1,454
Thanks guys. I have a set of ramps that I use quite often but in this case, I need to work on the car with the wheels off. I didn't even mention jacking it up by the pumpkin as I've there are way too many opinions on the subject out there. I'm working on the front anyway...