After reading the post about the car coming off the jackstands, and realizing that I, while not incompetent, am inexperienced at jacking a car (never done all fours before, just one tire type stuff), I am wondering what is the *proper*, safe way to get a car entirely lifted and leveled so that a good friend and I can replace the exhaust and do some underbody work safely. Also, if there is a correct and different way to take it down, I'm interested in that too. Thanks a bunch guys! And thanks also for posting info about what doesn't work too... it helped me realize I could use a little more info!

I'll have a professional jack (the type with the rollers and big handle and stuff) and four good quality jackstands to use.

So, if anybody who has done this stuff before could give me (and anybody else who is now wondering the same thing) some safety pointers here I would appreciate it!

Peace all....

 

I lucked out and one of my buddies dads has a lift for his semi's

 

Make sure you place the Jack on something solid under your car, ie fram. Jack up the car. When placing jackstands if on the right hand side of the car, place your left hand on the car, use your right to push jackstand under car. That way if you feel the car start to fall it will not crush your arm and you can drop down easily and escape harm. Place Jackstands on the most solid part of car you can find. I personally will only use the frame for this and nothing else, NEVER place it under your suspension or anything related to suspension. Get all the stands in proper places, then SLOWLY lower car onto the stands. Then push on the side of the car a little bit, it should feel very solid, if it is not solid lift car and replace jack stands in better spots. I also like to bring the jack up to a point where it is touching the car but not lifting the car off the stands, just for that extra stability, although not required. All in all, make sure the car is setup properly before even considering getting underneath it. When lifting all 4's off the ground make sure the car is completely level, other then that same rules apply. Good luck, and have fun.

 

YakATK: Thanks! Yeah I also reviewed the FSM carefully and in the introduction it highlighted the jack points, so with that and what you said, I should be set.

BTW, I like your sig! That's how I drive, too.

 

I normally use a floor jack. I lift the front (using the crossmember) and then put ramps under the wheels. Then I put a small piece of wood on the jack, and lift the rear via the diff, then put ramps under the wheels. I also try to face the ramps opposite directions so that there is no chance of the car rolling.

To lower, I jack the rear slightly and pull out the ramps. While someone HOLDS THE BRAKE in the car, I lower the rear slowly. Then have the person let off the brake, and lower the front.

 

Don't lift your car by the jack points on the frame rails, this is nothing more than a great way to damage them (everything from outright crushing the metal to just chipping the paint and promoting rust). If your lifting your car for maintenance work, do what Aaron said - use a floor jack with an insulator on it (I use a small piece of 1/4" rubber mat) and jack from the pad on the underside of the diff and the middle of the crossmember for the engine cradle in the front. The FSM has pics of these locations. This also lifts both left/right of the car evenly. Then place good quality jackstands under the frame rails. The little "pad" where the rails join on the front is a good spot. I can't remember the rear location off hand.

Henrik
87TII