Starter R&R Using Jack Stands?
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Team Owner
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From: Ontario
Starter R&R Using Jack Stands?
Would you replace a starter using a 3-ton jack and jack stands? I'm thinking right front wheel off and jack stands (I have four at 2-ton each) on front suspension and side frame. Rear wheels blocked. I am a little hesitant to do this job. Anyone have a pic?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Ontario
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
DISCONNECT BATTERY FIRST!!!!!
Check condition of fusible links and wiring going to solenoid. Check (or replace) primary engine ground wire and connections.
Verify that the (2) starter retaining bolts are the 'knurled shank' bolts which keep the GM starters in proper alignment.
Rebuild the solenoid and starter or replace them. (Rebuilding them is easy and much less expensive.)
Check condition of fusible links and wiring going to solenoid. Check (or replace) primary engine ground wire and connections.
Verify that the (2) starter retaining bolts are the 'knurled shank' bolts which keep the GM starters in proper alignment.
Rebuild the solenoid and starter or replace them. (Rebuilding them is easy and much less expensive.)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,233
Likes: 657
From: Thunder Bay
I do it that way all the time. Don't really have a choice. My shop has an 8 foot ceiling. Thirty years ago when I built my shop, who would have thought you'd be able to buy a lift for $5000?
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Going to direct my answer more to my opinion of the ?.
3 ton jack can be great, 3 ton jack stands may be a bit tall.
How much does your car weigh? Still a bit new to these, but they should be between 3 to 3,500 pounds stock. Give or take either way.
1 ton = 2,000 pounds. 3 ton jack or jack stand can hold 6,000 pounds.
Jack the car up and balance it on one stand your safe weight wise. (the whole balance thing is pretty stupid though)
Point being the light weight stuff is fine.
Ramps or a jack and jack stand.
Going to add to that.
Figure the car (as an example weighs 4,000 pounds 2 tons)
Your only lifting 1,000 pounds to pick up a corner. (in a perfect world).
Overkill is never bad in this situation. But a 2 ton jack/jack stand is just fine.
3 ton jack can be great, 3 ton jack stands may be a bit tall.
How much does your car weigh? Still a bit new to these, but they should be between 3 to 3,500 pounds stock. Give or take either way.
1 ton = 2,000 pounds. 3 ton jack or jack stand can hold 6,000 pounds.
Jack the car up and balance it on one stand your safe weight wise. (the whole balance thing is pretty stupid though)
Point being the light weight stuff is fine.
Ramps or a jack and jack stand.
Going to add to that.
Figure the car (as an example weighs 4,000 pounds 2 tons)
Your only lifting 1,000 pounds to pick up a corner. (in a perfect world).
Overkill is never bad in this situation. But a 2 ton jack/jack stand is just fine.
Last edited by kcb37; Apr 5, 2014 at 11:25 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
Hello Paul. What I do is remove the bump stops from the lower control arms. Four bolts. I jack up the front of the car with a 3T jack on the front cross member with a short piece of 2X6 as a cushion. I have never damaged the cross member but some cringe at doing it this way. I then place my primary stands between the lower shock mount and the lower ball joint inside of the control arm. Here.
After lowering the car to rest on the primaries, making sure all four corners of the stands are touching the concrete, I place the secondary stands under the frame. Set secondary stands as high as they can go and slide them to the rear of the car until they touch the frame. You can leave the jack under the front cross member for more safety but not as support. Leave the jack raised to just touch the cross member. Be careful and good luck with it. mike...
After lowering the car to rest on the primaries, making sure all four corners of the stands are touching the concrete, I place the secondary stands under the frame. Set secondary stands as high as they can go and slide them to the rear of the car until they touch the frame. You can leave the jack under the front cross member for more safety but not as support. Leave the jack raised to just touch the cross member. Be careful and good luck with it. mike...
Last edited by mds3013; Apr 6, 2014 at 07:16 AM.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
DISCONNECT BATTERY FIRST!!!!!
Check condition of fusible links and wiring going to solenoid. Check (or replace) primary engine ground wire and connections.
Verify that the (2) starter retaining bolts are the 'knurled shank' bolts which keep the GM starters in proper alignment.
Rebuild the solenoid and starter or replace them. (Rebuilding them is easy and much less expensive.)
Check condition of fusible links and wiring going to solenoid. Check (or replace) primary engine ground wire and connections.
Verify that the (2) starter retaining bolts are the 'knurled shank' bolts which keep the GM starters in proper alignment.
Rebuild the solenoid and starter or replace them. (Rebuilding them is easy and much less expensive.)
Retaining bolts and starter are new.
Had a 1976 L-82, 4-sp
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From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
I use my floor jack placed about midway between the front/rear wheels on the frame and jack the whole side. Place the jack stands as per the service manual front/rear. Do the same on the opposite side. Saves a time doing one jack stand at a time.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2014
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Where does the service manual say?
Where does the Service Manual say to put the jack stands?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
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From: Ontario
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
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No problem with this that I can see. What I avoid is jacking one corner at a time and twisting the frame. When I lift my car, time is not the most important issue. mike...