Powerstroked89

I put my C4 on jackstands as I am going to pull the motor and do a refresh. Excuse the mess on the paint, previous owner neglected her.

I used my floor jack on the jacking points and left my jackstands on the folded medal. The car is solid when you try to shake it to check for play.


1. Is it safe to leave the car on jackstands for an extended period? I want to rebuild the suspension.

2. Could I build something with lumber that would provide extra support?

3. Will pulling the motor with the car on stands cause any weight distribution issues with the rear end?

Thank you!


Front:





Back:

383vett

My car lives on jackstands and I'm in the Bay Area, California. It has survived the 7.0 Loma Prieta earthquake (the one that took down the Bay Bridge) while on stands. I have pulled the motor more than a dozen times as well as the tranny (even more times) and the rearend also many times. As long as you have solid jackstands, and it appears you do), you'll be fine. You don't want the cheap stamped steel ones.

Powerstroked89

Thanks I was hoping I put them in a good spot. They don't give you much choice. I jacked at the jacking points and found the thickest folding metal.

Is there anything else I can do, besides using my two floor jacks as "backup" when I am getting under the car?

Tom400CFI

If you're worried about safety, (and I don't think that you need to be) throw the wheels/tires under the car too, in a place where they won't be in the way of your work.

No need to build contraptions out of wood...the stands are actually engineered to hold up cars.


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Powerstroked89

Yeah I was gonna do that. I mean they're 6 ton jacks. 2 Duralast and 2 Harbor freight.

That plus the floor jacks and tires should be sufficient!

I was more concerned about leaving my car and one day finding a jack stand in the floor board.

Tom400CFI

Ha ha ha...well if you supported it by the floor board...that would have already happened! But where you have them is perfect.

armysnipe

If your on a level floor and stable you'll be fine. This is when I did an auto to manual swap and D36 to D44. All on 6 TON jack stands. The floor wasn't level and 3 jack stands held up the car. Just make sure you plan out what your doing so you don't have to keep moving the car up and down. I had to get it high to get a a trans jack with trans underneath it. I used some two ton jack stands to support the suspension when I needed assistance. BTW, the happy hooker works well for removing the engine. I've done that too. Its good practice to have two people when pulling the engine. Good luck!

kael

Little tidbit I learned:

If you decide to add supports for your suspension to "ease stress", don't raise much at all, 1/2" or so.

I put supports on mine, raised maybe an inch to one and a half (okay, maybe two), startled the heck out of myself when I noted front left and rear right jack stands weren't touching the frame!!

Guess the frame is pretty stiff.

antfarmer2

I did it for years as well as my friend of over 30 years. As far as we could figure he was breaking a bolt loose and pull the car over. I found him now I use oak stumps.

SmokinBlack

I used jack stands for years. I was finally able to pick up a Kwik-Lift and I don't know how I ever did without it. I know it's not in everyone's plans or budget, but if you have the opportunity to, I highly recommend you buy one.

jehuds10

Best garage investment I ever made.

psychodiagnostik

My C4 has been on jackstands months at a time, no problems.

Powerstroked89

Thanks guys, I do appreciate it.

What's the easiest/best way to support the trans with my current setup? I think a transmission lift seems kind overkill

Rod Schneider

I bought one of these about six years ago: http://www.harborfreight.com/automot...ack-61232.html

It works well with a car on jackstands.

VikingTrad3r

RIP

Ant your experience stuck with me when you first told it and i have been extra cautious thanks to it. Thanks for sharing, VT.

VikingTrad3r

when i did mine, i used wood blocks.

Tom400CFI

How do you lift/lower a trans using wood blocks?

I use a floor jack (if the trans is too heavy to do by hand). Obviously, balancing the thing and being careful is important, but it works. I've even done a Dodge Ram 2500 G56, 6 speed (~225 lbs!) that way.

VikingTrad3r

wwwhhhaaaaaaaaaaat? hahahahaa. i could not have been more unclear.

i used a floor jack to lower my trans but used wood blocks to support the oilpan. on the pan of the floor jack, i put a 6x6 piece of plywood. protected the trans pan and the helped balance. i *think* i had the the jack pan slightly forward of centr in the trans pan for best balance.

i thought he was asking how to support the trans as he pulled the engine.

clear as mud!

Tom400CFI

Ahhhh! Now I got you!

Powerstroked89

Excellent, so if I want to leave my auto transmission in, with this I can run it up get some tension on the trans/buckle it down and let it hold it up while I unbolt and pull the engine?

Hows the quality? I don't want to leave it extended under weight for about a week and my luck it would break