Jackstand placement
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 188
Likes: 2
From: Flowermound Tx
Jackstand placement
In the past I have used jackstands under the front frame rails ahead of the tires as a precaution in case my floor jacks positioned at the jacking points in front of the doors failed. I've never lowered the car fully onto the stands. Would it be safe to support the entire weight of the front end (big block) on the front frame rails ? I need to replace all of the power steering components and I'd like to start the car with the front end off of the ground. Figure it would be easier and safer with it resting on the stands.
Thanks for your help,
Scott
Thanks for your help,
Scott
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 29,077
Likes: 0
From: Deep East Texas
If you ever saw a floor jack collapse, you'd never get under a car with a floor jack holding it up. The jack stands go in front of the rear wheels, about where the frame kicks up. The front set goes behind the front wheels, about where the frame rail turns toward the center of the car.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 0
From: Minnesota
Originally Posted by Chumpzilla
I tend to use both myself. I place the stands where Mack describes... and then use a jack as a backup. Good for peace of mind....
--can't be safe enough--specially for those of us who have a tendency to work alone in the garage.SEMPER FI--1970 Dave
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
rear
I wish there was somewhere to use jackstands or jack on the rear other than in front of the rear tires on frame. Somewhere like on the trailing arm or something. oh well, I just don't like when I let it down, the rear end is high, and the tires are too far inboard, until you pull it forward or back. I guess there really is no purpose for my post! 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by ruby76
I wish there was somewhere to use jackstands or jack on the rear other than in front of the rear tires on frame.
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 511
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix AZ
I heard that the front frame horns weren't strong enough, and jacking on them over time will cause them to bend some. I wonder if this is true.
I put my jack stands where the shop manual indicates, but with one just behind the door and the other forward of that just befor the frame starts to turn upward. But IMO I don't think this gives a stable enough support. The jacks aren't far enough apart, I was thinking of welding some jack stand pirches on a bit farther farward.
I put my jack stands where the shop manual indicates, but with one just behind the door and the other forward of that just befor the frame starts to turn upward. But IMO I don't think this gives a stable enough support. The jacks aren't far enough apart, I was thinking of welding some jack stand pirches on a bit farther farward.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by 82Vette'ster
I heard that the front frame horns weren't strong enough, and jacking on them over time will cause them to bend some.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,532
Likes: 4
From: Fairview Heights Illinois, near Saint Louis MO, STL C3 Shark
Originally Posted by Porch40
Thanks for your help guys. Now if they'd just make an affordable shop lift to hoist the entire car there would be no questions .. 
If you want something, you might as well want it ALL.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,896
Likes: 2
From: CO
I have my car jacked up in front now. The stands are about 5" in front of the door. With the stands put there I bet I could almost lift the rear end of the car off the floor with my bare hands. I can push on the front of the car and the rear comes up and down (body not tires). I think its really close the the CG.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 511
Likes: 4
From: Phoenix AZ
Originally Posted by vette_newb
how do you lower the car from the floor jack to the jack stands? mine releases so quickly once you release the pressure, i'm afraid the stands would go through the frame. any hints?
Also, I use a piece of thin plywood as a crush layer on the jack to keep it from dinging up the frame.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Originally Posted by mayberg
I have a big-block convertible. I put the jackstands on the front frame horns - actually rest the car on the front sway bar bushing caps. I get a lot less body flex that way.
Me 2.
My car is Yellow and it already looks like a bananna anyways.
