Correct procedure to raise one end?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 272
Likes: 23
From: McKinney TX
Correct procedure to raise one end?
What is the correct procedure to raise one end of the vehicle? I know the proper jack locations, but due to body twisting would feel better raising an entire end at a time. I only have one floor jack. Is this possible? If so where do I put the jack?
thanks.
thanks.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
From being around c3 vettes for 40 some years. I used the pumpkin and the front cross member or from the side at the balance point and jack both side tires at once.
Alan is correct about wood or pads my floor jacks have rubber pads. On the front cross member I jack on the back edge where it is strong the center can dent
Alan is correct about wood or pads my floor jacks have rubber pads. On the front cross member I jack on the back edge where it is strong the center can dent
Last edited by gkull; Jun 27, 2017 at 08:14 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,235
Likes: 4,326
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi H,
When jacking up the front of the car the center of the front crossmember seems to be the most obvious place to jack from.
BUT, that area of the crossmember is formed from a sheet of steel and is unsupported internally so it's very vulnerable to being bent and de-formed.
This is why so many cars have dents in the center of the front crossmember.
You might consider making a simple small cradle from some lumber that fits on the top of the jack's pad and spreads the load across the crossmember.
You might also consider making a small wooden pad that fits under the flat area of the rear strut rod bracket and use that when jacking up the rear of the car.
I realize very few people care about this… but you MIGHT find that you do.
REMEMBER, DON"T WORK UNDER THE CAR IF IT'S JUST ON THE JACK… IT MUST BE SUPPORTED ON JACK-STANDS OR BY SOME OTHER SECURE METHOD.
Regards,
Alan
Perhaps Here:
Perhaps Here:
When jacking up the front of the car the center of the front crossmember seems to be the most obvious place to jack from.
BUT, that area of the crossmember is formed from a sheet of steel and is unsupported internally so it's very vulnerable to being bent and de-formed.
This is why so many cars have dents in the center of the front crossmember.
You might consider making a simple small cradle from some lumber that fits on the top of the jack's pad and spreads the load across the crossmember.
You might also consider making a small wooden pad that fits under the flat area of the rear strut rod bracket and use that when jacking up the rear of the car.
I realize very few people care about this… but you MIGHT find that you do.
REMEMBER, DON"T WORK UNDER THE CAR IF IT'S JUST ON THE JACK… IT MUST BE SUPPORTED ON JACK-STANDS OR BY SOME OTHER SECURE METHOD.
Regards,
Alan
Perhaps Here:
Perhaps Here:
Last edited by Alan 71; Jun 27, 2017 at 07:18 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 272
Likes: 23
From: McKinney TX
Thank you guys. It sounds like I could do what Alan suggests until I can get another floor jack. I appreciate the responses and will work on those wood supports. In one of my manuals it suggests a wood piece spanning both sides of the frame for jacking up the back but that seems a little crazy.
