Jacking from the diff
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 826
Likes: 29
From: Bonita Springs, FL
Jacking from the diff
I am looking at running the front up on ramps and jacking the back at the differential. Then I will put stands under the frame jacking points.
Is this OK?
Thanks in advance.
Is this OK?
Thanks in advance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 5,691
Likes: 12
From: columbus oh
careful here!!...as you jack up the rear, the car will creep backwards and could run down the ramps if they are too short...happens a lot....
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Are you jacking from the side because I doubt you can get under the rear with the front up.
If you are jacking from the side the same thing applies as midyear said above,accept the jack will pull the car sideways and twist the car and try to pull one of the front tires off the ramp. Be careful.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 5,284
Likes: 235
From: Rockledge FL
so i shouldnt be doing this,
Mine gets jacked up all the time like this,
drive up the ramps, jack underthe differential where its flat for the spring and lift away.
my ramps have a lip that keeps the front tire from rolling backwards
are you guys saying dont do it because of the rolling hazard or will it break something
Mine gets jacked up all the time like this,
drive up the ramps, jack underthe differential where its flat for the spring and lift away.
my ramps have a lip that keeps the front tire from rolling backwards
are you guys saying dont do it because of the rolling hazard or will it break something
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
so i shouldnt be doing this,
Mine gets jacked up all the time like this,
drive up the ramps, jack underthe differential where its flat for the spring and lift away.
my ramps have a lip that keeps the front tire from rolling backwards
are you guys saying dont do it because of the rolling hazard or will it break something
Mine gets jacked up all the time like this,
drive up the ramps, jack underthe differential where its flat for the spring and lift away.
my ramps have a lip that keeps the front tire from rolling backwards
are you guys saying dont do it because of the rolling hazard or will it break something
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Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 19,445
Likes: 353
From: Athens GA
St. Jude Donor '12-'13, '15- '16-'17-'18-'19, '21
What about backing up on the ramps, set the parking brake and trans, and then jack up from the front?
Anyone ever try that?
Might also be best doing it with two people and 2 jacks - one on each side on the frame. Then set it on jackstands or something more solid than just jacks.
Just a thought.
Bman
Anyone ever try that?
Might also be best doing it with two people and 2 jacks - one on each side on the frame. Then set it on jackstands or something more solid than just jacks.
Just a thought.
Bman
Last edited by bmans vette; Sep 5, 2009 at 11:48 AM. Reason: added
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,673
Likes: 199
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
I don't use ramps either, drove off the ends of them into a wall when I was a bit younger ( they did collapse though when I hit the brakes so not as stupid as it sounds ) 
Seriously though good advice on the rolling back and I wouldn't jack mine from the diff in the first place
Seriously though good advice on the rolling back and I wouldn't jack mine from the diff in the first place
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
been doing it for some 15 years now....and I do agree with the FAIL on use of ramps....
for one thing, most garage floors are too nice finished, the steel ramps slide forward, they do here....I used to run 2x4 up against the gas ledge to the house slab....I just jack each end now a daze....even those China jack stands with a rating of some tons is better than most ramps....and much easier to get'er dun with....
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,652
Likes: 80
From: Lakeland Florida
I went a different route. It seems that the price of the hydraulic jacks are getting cheaper, so I bought two additional ones from the auto store (Now total of 4). They came with jackstands also. Its easier for me to just put the jacks under the 4 jacking points and lift the car a small amount at a time. It also allows me to put the jacks under the sections as I lift for additional safety.
I dont like driving up the ramps anyway.
kdf
I dont like driving up the ramps anyway.
kdf
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
edit - in the first pic is the factory plate and the 2nd pic is of an aftermarket but still has the vert plates
Last edited by ...Roger...; Sep 5, 2009 at 07:43 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,689
Likes: 1
From: St Petersburg FL
St. Jude Donor '07,'13
The factory spring mounting had vertical steel plates between the diff housing and the lower plate. I'm guessing the VBP mounting does not have this if they say not to jack on the lower plate.
edit - in the first pic is the factory plate and the 2nd pic is of an aftermarket but still has the vert plates
edit - in the first pic is the factory plate and the 2nd pic is of an aftermarket but still has the vert plates
I have been jacking my ’78 for years from the center plate without a problem either but can see how some jacks – the hydraulic kind with a round cup especially – could damage the plate if all the pressure was near the edge of the plate.
Also, risking having the car roll off the ramps sounds like a great way to ruin someone’s day. I would be very careful …
Sincerely,
Alan G.
VBP - Vette Brakes & Products, Inc.
