Where to place jack/stands on Alero 2004

[Red Squirrel]

I figured I should probably learn to change my own tires instead of relying on someone else now that I have winter tires and have to change them twice a year, so I bought a jack, some stands, a torque wrench and proper bits. I already have an impact gun.

What I can't figure out is where do I put the jack under the car? I don't want to just guess and risk damaging something. My manual does not seem to mention where it goes. Not finding much online either.

By looking under it I don't really see anything that looks 100% safe to put a jack under. I don't want to punch a hole through the gas tank or something.

 

[mvbighead]

Often times they're behind the front tires, and they'll have little arrows underneath the car pointed to the spots to use.

Otherwise, look for solid flat beams of metal. My impala (RIP) had a steel beam that went across the front (almost wheel to wheel) that was very handy for jacking it up. My Tribeca has to be jacked from behind the two front tires. If you crawl down and look up, you should find some obvious points.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I don't see any kind of arrows, it's pretty much just a flat panel that runs all along the car, I'm guessing that is cosmetic and not actually structural. Hard to get a pic since the car is pretty low, but here's how it looks:



(That's the rear)

 

[cabri]

How does the owner's manual indicate to place the jack to change the tire.
Unless you are rotating tires; one tire off at a time should suffice.

 

[Red Squirrel]

It does mention a notch but I think it's mostly rusted out so there's a bit of guess work. I'll check more carefully for it. I guess I can just put the stand right next to the jack? That whole general area where the notches are should be structural right?

 

[AMDZen]

Litterally 2 second of googling

http://www.carcarekiosk.com/video/2...)/jack_up_car/use_your_jack_to_raise_your_car

 

[Red Squirrel]

I keep finding that same video, but it's very generic. Does not specify my actual car (even though it says it)

I guess I'll just go try stuff, what's the worse that can happen. I have a few ideas of spots that look solid.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Well I did it! This is actually the first time I do any type of work on my car short of refilling fluids. I'm not mechanically inclined nor do I have a proper work area or tools but figured I should at very least be equipped for and know how to change my own tires, and it will save me grief in fall and spring as I don't have to bring my car anywhere.

Found some spots that looked proper so just went with it. Basically I was just jacking up slowly and making sure I could see the whole car move up, so that told me I was at a proper place. If I would have seen anything bending then I would have stopped. I did not bother with the stands, I placed them where I figure they'd be safe, but did not drop the car on just in case. It's not like I was working under the car, and I was making sure I was ready for it to fall if it did.

Went pretty well except for the front where I had to be more creative due to my jack's limitations, but I got it done. None of the structure was high enough for my jack to fit under but I did find the notches for the front, but then the jack could not lift high enough so ended up having to put bricks under another part of the structure, drop the car, then put the jack on a 2x6 and jack again but it worked. I'll probably return this jack and get a floor one.

Only thing, how is a torque wrench suppose to work? I thought you set it to say, 100lbs and it would click when you get there, but mine does not do that so I'm not sure how to tell when it's torqued enough. I just put it tight enough without over forcing, but really, I don't want to drive around too much till I know for sure I torqued it properly. This is my wrench:



It's a Mastercraft, did not come with any instructions. I figured out how to adjust it, so I put it on the lowest setting just to test it but it does not do anything. I highly doubt I need to force the nuts tighter than what I did. I probably even overtightened them by trying to see if it will click or something.

 

[someone16]

It should make a click and give slightly when you reach the torque value.

Is that a 3/8" or 1/2" torque wrench? I think the mastercraft 3/8" one uses inch pounds and is useless for tires.

 

[Red Squirrel]

It's 3/8ths and yeah it uses inch pounds. Manual says to torque to 100 lb/feet so yeah guess that wont work. Just realized that now. I'll have to try to see if I can return it tomorrow. In fact even that jack I am not too happy with, I will need to look at a better one that is shorter but can go higher, probably want a floor jack I'm guessing. Then I can slide it right under the centre of the car and jack the whole front or back end, and then add the two supports and do two tires at once.

 

[someone16]

I made the same mistake with the torque wrench. It's deceiving cuz the mastercract wrench is the same size as my other 1/2" 20-150 ft lb torque wrench.

What were you jacking up the car with other than a floor jack? If you want to slide it under the center you might need a low profile jack.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I made the same mistake with the torque wrench. It's deceiving cuz the mastercract wrench is the same size as my other 1/2" 20-150 ft lb torque wrench.

What were you jacking up the car with other than a floor jack? If you want to slide it under the center you might need a low profile jack.

Just the hydrolic jack, but then I added bricks under other structure so I can drop it on that, so I can add a 2x6 under the jack jack a bit higher. I think I will return this jack and get a low profile floor jack instead so I can slide it under places that I could not slide this particular jack.

Another thing that was a pain with this jack is it was hard to get it back down. I had to put my finger and try to push the rest of it down so I can get it out from under. I scratched it all up trying to get it up so don't even know if I'll be able to return it. They might think I'm trying to do some free tool rental. :biggrin:

I guess I should have just went for the more expensive floor jacks right off the bat. I cheaped out and paid for it.

 

[brainhulk]

Chock a non raised wheel when jacking up to prevent movement

Retorque the nuts after 30-50 miles

I bought my jack from costco. It was low profile, 3.5 ton capacity, and has a flat padded lifting surface

Just like this one except mine has a higher capacity and costco sells it for half the price
http://www.amazon.com/Arcan-XL2T-Bl...bs_auto_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=0QYAGXCMG688RYZN97RH

 

[Red Squirrel]

Yeah that's the type of jack I'm going to get. And yeah I put two bricks on each wheel of the opposite end I was lifting. Technically you're only suppose to do one (opposite side) but figured I'd play it safe. Though next time I'll use wood, the movement from jacking the car would lodge the brick and it's probably not good for the tires. I also had the rear tires on E brake. I guess I probably did not need the bricks for that side, but put them anyway. I'll go find a proper torque wrench at CT tomorrow, and probably return that jack for a floor one.

Is it true you're not suppose to use the torque wrench for loosening the nuts? I read that somewhere. I find it's easier to just use that than to buy a separate tool.

 

[brainhulk]

Yeah that's the type of jack I'm going to get. And yeah I put two bricks on each wheel of the opposite end I was lifting. Technically you're only suppose to do one (opposite side) but figured I'd play it safe. Though next time I'll use wood, the movement from jacking the car would lodge the brick and it's probably not good for the tires. I also had the rear tires on E brake. I guess I probably did not need the bricks for that side, but put them anyway. I'll go find a proper torque wrench at CT tomorrow, and probably return that jack for a floor one.

Is it true you're not suppose to use the torque wrench for loosening the nuts? I read that somewhere. I find it's easier to just use that than to buy a separate tool.

Torque wrench is only for tightening. You might damage the wrench or mess up the calibration if you use it to loosen. Especially if it's a cheepie torque wrench

I use a breaker bar from harbor freight to loosen. Pound with rubber mallet if really tight

 

[bruceb]

Just a reminder for you: When you tighten the lug nuts, run them down until they just stop. Then use a torque wrench in criss cross pattern to the final torque value. I then like to go around them one more time to be sure.

 

[mvbighead]

Chock a non raised wheel when jacking up to prevent movement

Retorque the nuts after 30-50 miles

I bought my jack from costco. It was low profile, 3.5 ton capacity, and has a flat padded lifting surface

Just like this one except mine has a higher capacity and costco sells it for half the price
http://www.amazon.com/Arcan-XL2T-Bla...CMG688RYZN97RH

If it helps... bought the same jack at Costco. Best... purchase... ever.

I was always monkeying with the assortment of jacks I had. With this one, whether it was my Silverado 1500 or my Impala with a somewhat lower lift point, it takes care of them all. And it would definitely suit cars that ride extremely low.

That jack at costco always seems to be there at about $99 to $105 depending on whether it is a full moon or other.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

Always always always slide one of the wheels under the car. I do this even with jackstands.

You really should look up proper jack points. Usually googling will tell you.

Years ago I made some car stands out of scrap 2x4 and they are incredibly useful. I use them both for placing the car up high and as safety blocks when using jackstands.

They look similar to this:

 

[Red Squirrel]

Got it working, bought the proper torque wrench that's in lbs/feet so I was able to properly torque and hear the click. Also bought a low profile floor jack, did not try it yet but it already looks like it will work way better. I'll have to test it out to be sure. Just have to drive a bit more now then I'll retorque.

 

[someone16]

Reminds me of a youtube video that I saw, the guy explains where the jack up the car really well. Basically you take the same principles and you can apply it to different cars.

Here's the link:
http://youtu.be/a0L71dCaID0

 

[BUTCH1]

Always always always slide one of the wheels under the car. I do this even with jackstands.

You really should look up proper jack points. Usually googling will tell you.

Years ago I made some car stands out of scrap 2x4 and they are incredibly useful. I use them both for placing the car up high and as safety blocks when using jackstands.

They look similar to this:

Those do look useful, what kind of jack are you using to get the car jacked up that far to use them, floor jack, bottle jack?.