Storage on jack stands
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
Storage on jack stands
I need to get my car off the tires since it probably won't be moving very much for the next 6-18 months. That all depends on how much gets done before summer gets here.
I have four jack stands I can put the car up on, but where should I put them under the car? Just under the frame behind the front tires and in front of the back tires?
I have four jack stands I can put the car up on, but where should I put them under the car? Just under the frame behind the front tires and in front of the back tires?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Connecticut, USA
Re: Storage on jack stands (Ak. Mal)
I have a car sitting on 4 stands now for the past 3 years. The drivetrain is removed which takes away a lot of weight. It's up in the air about 24"
Gary
Gary
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From: Point Pleasant NJ
Re: Storage on jack stands (gtr1999)
Just be careful if your going into the warm summer months and putting it up on blacktop. I've had more than a few friends get the old jack sink action and thats just a PITA.
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Re: Storage on jack stands (gtr1999)
I have mine on jackstands now. For the rear, I have them placed just in front of the training arm pivot on the frame rail. On the front, I have them under the lower A arm at the spring location. I don't like the idea of having all that weight hanging out there by placing the jackstands behind the front tires.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Storage on jack stands (70vert)
I think that it is best to just take some of the weight off the tires. I also don't think that it is good to have the suspension hanging in full rebound for an extended length of time. It is tough on the shock absorber seals.
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Re: Storage on jack stands (Jim Shea)
I think that it is best to just take some of the weight off the tires. I also don't think that it is good to have the suspension hanging in full rebound for an extended length of time. It is tough on the shock absorber seals.
It's actually a very BAD idea to leave the suspension dangling at full extension.
Leave the car on the ground. The flatting spotting thing is an old wives tale. Apologys to any old wives reading this.
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
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Re: Storage on jack stands (Mike Ward)
I agree with Mike & Jim. I've had my cars on stands a few months, but letting everything "hang" down can't be good on all your bushings. They'd be in a constant state of "twist". Also has to be hard on the third member bushings. The rear end and 3rd member bar is a good bit of weight hanging onto those two bushings. I'll never store my car like this unless others have stated their drivetrain is out, then that's another matter.
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From: Caledon Ontario
Re: Storage on jack stands (Paul Borowski)
If your car is inside an unheated garage in cold climates like ours, a better bet would be to consider insulation under the car as opposed to raising it up.
Bare concrete can result in quite a temperature difference between the ambient air and your car's frame. During warm spring days in particular, the underside of the car and the frame are cold due to the proximity of the concrete slab, leading to lots of wet steel parts. A few boards of rigid R5 insulation does wonders to reduce this problem.
Throw a few pieces of 5/8" plywood over top of the R5 and just drive right up!
Bare concrete can result in quite a temperature difference between the ambient air and your car's frame. During warm spring days in particular, the underside of the car and the frame are cold due to the proximity of the concrete slab, leading to lots of wet steel parts. A few boards of rigid R5 insulation does wonders to reduce this problem.
Throw a few pieces of 5/8" plywood over top of the R5 and just drive right up!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
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From: Wildwood IL
Re: Storage on jack stands (Ak. Mal)
Put her up on 4 jackstands, then go get a 6"x6" or 8"x8" landscape timber. Cut it into 4 pieces and lay em down under the tires. I do this everytime the car will be up for a while. How high you jack her up dictates the size of timber. Just be sure the car weight rests mostly on the stands.
Eddie
Eddie
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From: St. Charles IL
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Re: Storage on jack stands (Ak. Mal)
There is no need for blocks for long time storage. The only benefit you will get is preventing tire flatspotting. In the meantime other things are getting damaged. If you are really worried about flat spots, just over inflate the tires by 5 pounds, but be sure to adjust that when you take it out of storage.
Thread Starter
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From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
Re: Storage on jack stands
My big conern is that the rear tires have leaks. After about a week and a half they will be totally flat. I try to put air in them every couple days, but sometimes I forget or just get too busy to do it.
I think I'm going to put the car on stand, but not too tall. Just enough to take some of the pressure off the tires.
And contrary to some of the posts here, tires do flat spot. I've had it happen and witnessed it several times.
I think I'm going to put the car on stand, but not too tall. Just enough to take some of the pressure off the tires.
And contrary to some of the posts here, tires do flat spot. I've had it happen and witnessed it several times.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 486
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From: Point Pleasant NJ
Re: Storage on jack stands (Ak. Mal)
Try some of that snot gel stuff in the tires might seal up a good portion of your leaks. I think most people are saying just move it around a bunch and it wont flat spot. Good Luck