Floor jacks, jack stands

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H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
What are the best places to jack the car up? To hold it up with stands? I usually look for a part of the frame near the suspension arms (that hold the wheel up) but I'm curious if there's a better place.

Is $100 for a "fast" hydraulic jack worth it for the occasional oil and tire change? It goes up 22".
 
S

steppinthrax

Diamond Member
Jul 17, 2006
3,990
6
81
I've used all different types.

The temp jack (scissor type) should only be used for changing tires if anything. Jack stands should be used when doing any work that involve being under a car for extended periods of time. You should put the jack stands under the drip edge of the car. There normally are two notches there where you put the support in between. Hydrolic jack is the best because it requires less work to lift the car and is an almost must.

One thing you forgot to mention is Ramps. You drive over them and clock the wheels. I use a combination of ramps and a jack stand on each side. Just for extra insurance.
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
Originally posted by: steppinthrax
I've used all different types.

The temp jack (scissor type) should only be used for changing tires if anything. Jack stands should be used when doing any work that involve being under a car for extended periods of time. You should put the jack stands under the drip edge of the car. There normally are two notches there where you put the support in between. Hydrolic jack is the best because it requires less work to lift the car and is an almost must.

One thing you forgot to mention is Ramps. You drive over them and clock the wheels. I use a combination of ramps and a jack stand on each side. Just for extra insurance.
Click to expand...
I only wanted to know where to put the jack and jack stands... Oh well, thanks for the extra info, I guess.

It's chock, btw.
 
Toastedlightly

Toastedlightly

Diamond Member
Aug 7, 2004
7,214
6
81
On older cars, I put them on the frame rails. On newer cars, either the drip tray directly behind the front wheel/infront of rear wheels or go for the subframe which supports the engine.
 
SpeedEng66

SpeedEng66

Diamond Member
Jul 10, 2002
4,501
1
81
it really depends on the car

some cars have side skirts so you cant jack it @ the pinch weild

jacking ponts are clearly displayed in your owners manual

for oil changes I use rhino ramps and wheel chucks
 
T2urtle

T2urtle

Diamond Member
Oct 18, 2004
3,432
3
81
the manual will state optimal lift points for the car. I think 90% of them state the pinch weld.

I've lifted at the subframe, trailing arms, the rear diff if you have one. I place jack stands at the frame most of time.

 
S

Sluggo

Lifer
Jun 12, 2000
15,488
5
81
Originally posted by: steppinthrax
I've used all different types.

The temp jack (scissor type) should only be used for changing tires if anything. Jack stands should be used when doing any work that involve being under a car for extended periods of time. You should put the jack stands under the drip edge of the car. There normally are two notches there where you put the support in between. Hydrolic jack is the best because it requires less work to lift the car and is an almost must.

One thing you forgot to mention is Ramps. You drive over them and clock the wheels. I use a combination of ramps and a jack stand on each side. Just for extra insurance.
Click to expand...

Jack stands (or ramps) should be used if you are getting under the car at all, it doesnt matter how long you are there.

Safety first kids.

 
R

Randum

Platinum Member
Jan 28, 2004
2,473
0
76
I bought stands and then realized my jack that came to change tires was not high enough!!! I will need to get my hands on some ramps...any good brands out there?
 
iamwiz82

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
Originally posted by: Sluggo
Originally posted by: steppinthrax
I've used all different types.

The temp jack (scissor type) should only be used for changing tires if anything. Jack stands should be used when doing any work that involve being under a car for extended periods of time. You should put the jack stands under the drip edge of the car. There normally are two notches there where you put the support in between. Hydrolic jack is the best because it requires less work to lift the car and is an almost must.

One thing you forgot to mention is Ramps. You drive over them and clock the wheels. I use a combination of ramps and a jack stand on each side. Just for extra insurance.
Click to expand...

Jack stands (or ramps) should be used if you are getting under the car at all, it doesnt matter how long you are there.

Safety first kids.
Click to expand...

Damn

Straight
 
F

fbrdphreak

Lifer
Apr 17, 2004
17,555
1
0
Originally posted by: Howard
2003 Chevrolet Venture
1999 Honda Civic SiR (Si in the US, I think)
Click to expand...
The reaosn I asked is because the height of your vehicles will determine what you get. I imagine your Civic is somewhat low to the ground. You might measure the height of the lowest protruding part of your vehicle (some have a plastic air deflector type piece that hangs lower) and make sure whatever jack you get can get under that. If you read the box carefully, they often say minimum height.

My 92 Camaro is the lowest vehicle I own and I got the most well-rounded jack I could (best combination of min & max heights, plus supporting 4000+lbs) and I still have to put 2x4 blocks of wood in front of the tires, drive onto those, and THEN jack the car up.

From there, get a reasonably sized set of jack stands. While tall ones (20" +) are nice to get the car high up in the air if you're going to be under there a while, it can be a bitch to get the car up that high without a really nice jack and of course your jack has to be tall enough to support that height. So I'd say pick up a medium sized set of jack stands, that go to maybe 16-17" (trying to remember the various types I have...heights might be off a little).

Ramps are nice too.
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
I think 14" is a common figure. Ramps are easy but you can't really do tire changes/rotations on them.
 
J

JDMnAR1

Lifer
May 12, 2003
11,984
1
0
Originally posted by: Howard
Is $100 for a "fast" hydraulic jack worth it for the occasional oil and tire change? It goes up 22".
Click to expand...

IMO, not at all. It isn't like you are making a NASCAR pit stop where that extra second or two might cost you $100,000s in prize money. If you decide that your "slow" hydraulic jack isn't cutting it, use the jack that shipped with your vehicle the next time you change the oil and you will like your hydraulic jack all over again. :)

 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
Uh oh. I stood the car on what seemed like a drip tray, and the steel sunk inward. =\
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
All it showed was a diagram indicating the general area - it was a side profile. 6" behind the front wheels and 4" in front of the rear wheels - and the god damned car isn't even symmetrical on the bottom. Damn domestics!

/me shakes fist furiously
 
H

Howard

Lifer
Oct 14, 1999
47,982
11
81
My Civic doesn't have enough room for a hydraulic jack + jack stand, looks like. :(
 
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