Jack Stand Placement
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 12,239
Likes: 19
From: Chino CA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 43
From: Eastern US XX
I am a newbie and put my 1969 up on stands today for the first time.
I looked at a lot of threads and one thing that would have cleared my concerns
are some clear photos of the stands in place. In several chains they were deleted with age so I am adding mine today.
I jacked under the front cross member and rear end. I used 2x4s to pad/spread the load at all contact points I made. I am leaving the jack in place in the front too while I am under it.
I got her just before thanksgiving and the power steering is puking so here I go putting my wrenches on her for the first time. Can I start it while it's up like this? I need some fresh P/S fluid flowing so I can find the leak. I wouldn't put it in gear but would run the steering lock to lock. OF COURSE I WOULDN'T GET UNDER IT WHILE IT WAS RUNNING!
I looked at a lot of threads and one thing that would have cleared my concerns
are some clear photos of the stands in place. In several chains they were deleted with age so I am adding mine today.I jacked under the front cross member and rear end. I used 2x4s to pad/spread the load at all contact points I made. I am leaving the jack in place in the front too while I am under it.
I got her just before thanksgiving and the power steering is puking so here I go putting my wrenches on her for the first time. Can I start it while it's up like this? I need some fresh P/S fluid flowing so I can find the leak. I wouldn't put it in gear but would run the steering lock to lock. OF COURSE I WOULDN'T GET UNDER IT WHILE IT WAS RUNNING!
Last edited by pws69; Jan 12, 2014 at 12:47 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 222
Likes: 1
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '14
Lemanspete didn't like it either. It feels stable as all get out though I have to tell you. I Pushed very hard on the car from all sides and there is ZERO movement. Regardless, based on theory of more surfaces to slip I stopped doing it. I only like pancakes for breakfast.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 135
Likes: 4
From: NY
My father has a commercial/industrial mechanical contracting business and he gets me these great vibration isolation pads/blocks that they place under equipment (i.e., fans, small pumps, air handlers, etc.). He got me a large sheet of heavy rubber waffle type pads that I cut to size and he also got me these great heavy rubber and composite (not cork) pads that are like 4"x4"x7/8" thick. Over the years, they have come in handy for placing on top of jack stands, on the floor jack lift pad, etc. They have some flex to them, so they contour to both the stand pad and the frame for a secure, slip free fit that won't scratch your frame.
I think he gets them from a commercial HVAC supply house. Google "vibration isolation pads" and you'll see all the different types.
Pro
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 557
Likes: 3
From: El Sobrante CA
The less pieces which can be moved or jarred out of position, the safer the rig is. The 'claw' atop those stands is designed to grasp the frame; putting a piece of wood in them defeats the purpose.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 121
From: Kernersville NC
I've rebuilt the front suspension on two in the past 6 months where the car stayed suspended for a week while parts were refurbished prior to re-installation. The cars were on a 4 post lift. After raising the front at the jack points and using the jack tray I put a bottle jack under the cradle cross member with a two by four to distribute the weight. I placed jack stands a little bit back of the jack points and left the jack in the front center. It took a little jack choreography to lift and lower evenly, but I had no noticeable droop evident looking at the door gaps.
