YACT: How do I safely work under my car? ::UPDATE:: most useful post ever made on internet

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djheater

Lifer
Mar 19, 2001
14,637
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The battery cable corroded through and I couldn't get it completely disconnected to match the part. I needed to get under the car, so I bought a jack and jackstands. I got it up on the jackstands, (in the rain) on an uneven asphalt surface. Stood back and looked at it for a mintue, decided "well that will surely be my death", and lowered it.

I'dve felt a lot better if it was in a garage on cement I think.

Anyway, are jackstands acceptable, and if so how do you use them? My neon has jackpoints but how do I jack it at the jackpoint and thenput the jackstand in?

<---- obvious n00b
 
E

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
50,419
8
81
If you look in your manual, it should show you the jack points.

But AFAIK, just jack the car up, and the jack stands go at the 4 corners of the frame rails - usually just behind the front tires and infront of the rears.

If the jack fails, it should prevent the car from falling on you, as long as they're solid on the ground and not tweaked sideways or anything.
 
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fredtam

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2003
5,694
2
76
Originally posted by: Eli
If you look in your manual, it should show you the jack points.

But AFAIK, just jack the car up, and the jack stands go at the 4 corners of the frame rails - usually just behind the front tires and infront of the rears.

If the jack fails, it should prevent the car from falling on you, as long as they're solid on the ground and not tweaked sideways or anything.
Click to expand...

Chock the back tires also.
 
Phoenix86

Phoenix86

Lifer
May 21, 2003
14,644
10
81
Wet, uneven pavement + jackstand + wieght of car + you underneath = bad idea.

How uneven is the pavement?
 
J

Jejunum

Golden Member
Jun 19, 2000
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76
if you dont need the suspension hanging free i recommend you use ramps. they are lot easier/faster and imho are safer.

thoughts guys?
 
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fredtam

Diamond Member
Jun 6, 2003
5,694
2
76
Originally posted by: Jejunum
if you dont need the suspension hanging free i recommend you use ramps. they are lot easier/faster and imho are safer.

thoughts guys?
Click to expand...

Yep... I use ramps if I'm not doing suspension/ brake work or other major work.
 
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djheater

Lifer
Mar 19, 2001
14,637
2
0
It's really uneven. Once I got it up there, the spidey senses kicked in.

I cut the cable and spliced on a jumper cable alligator so I can move it. :)

So, I don't put the jack stands at the jackpoints, I think, I put them under the frame rails? How can I CERTAINLY identify the frame rails?

I did chock the tires, The jack stand set came with chocks :)
 
J

Jejunum

Golden Member
Jun 19, 2000
1,828
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Originally posted by: djheater
It's really uneven. Once I got it up there, the spidey senses kicked in.

I cut the cable and spliced on a jumper cable alligator so I can move it. :)

So, I don't put the jack stands at the jackpoints, I think, I put them under the frame rails? How can I CERTAINLY identify the frame rails?

I did chock the tires, The jack stand set came with chocks :)
Click to expand...

rtfm! it should tell u wear to jack and wear to put the stands.

on my car i can jack it up in a place near the oil pan (not the oil pan) and jack stands go behind the front tires in a reinforced area.
 
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djheater

Lifer
Mar 19, 2001
14,637
2
0
Originally posted by: Jejunum


rtfm! it should tell u wear to jack and wear to put the stands.
Click to expand...

I did. It "describes" the jack points, but does not picture them. It says nothing about the proper location for jack-stands but does mention them.

This is the "owners manual" I don't have the factory service manual, maybe I should get one. I do have a Haynes manual, but it doesn't detail them either.
 
M

Mutilator

Diamond Member
Aug 22, 2000
3,513
10
81
If you don't need to remove the wheels to get to anything just get some Rhino ramps. You can find em at most auto stores and even Walmart. Something like $20-30 for 2.
 
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djheater

Lifer
Mar 19, 2001
14,637
2
0
Originally posted by: Mutilator
If you don't need to remove the wheels to get to anything just get some Rhino ramps. You can find em at most auto stores and even Walmart. Something like $20-30 for 2.
Click to expand...

Is that a better idea? Safer? I have those, but keep in mind the original reason was to remove the battery cable which had corroded through. <---car wouldn't start.
 
Phoenix86

Phoenix86

Lifer
May 21, 2003
14,644
10
81
Your problem is the uneven surfact, ramps won't help that. Move the car, it still has wheels right? ;)
 
E

everman

Lifer
Nov 5, 2002
11,288
1
0
It's a good idea to just invest in a good hydraulic jack, saves so much time and so easy.
 
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