Another Jacking Question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 5,808
Likes: 1
From: Sierra Foothills California
Another Jacking Question
When I change my oil I run the front up on Rhino Ramps, put my 2 ton floor jack under the center of the rear crossmember (covering the 8" diameter jack pad with a piece of heavy carpet). I let the rear down on two jack stands. I've been doing this for over 4 yrs. with no ill effects. Have I been lucky? I know this isn't the proper procedure. I'm wondering if anyone's experienced a cracked cradle, or any other problems lifting the rear this way?
Last edited by Vettman 1; Nov 21, 2008 at 11:09 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
You are actually supposed to support the rear cross member at two places.
I used to do what you are doing.
What I do now, is use a 2X6 treated (they are sturdier) piece of lumber under the rear support.
I also set the rear tires up on a second set of rhino ramps. This gets the car level for checking (and filling) trans and differential fluids. Plus it is safe to get under car. I call it a poor man's lift.
I used to do what you are doing.
What I do now, is use a 2X6 treated (they are sturdier) piece of lumber under the rear support.
I also set the rear tires up on a second set of rhino ramps. This gets the car level for checking (and filling) trans and differential fluids. Plus it is safe to get under car. I call it a poor man's lift.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 510
Likes: 12
From: Laurel MD
St. Jude Donor '08
Last edited by tbar1963; Nov 22, 2008 at 12:01 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 235
From: North Carolina
When I change my oil I run the front up on Rhino Ramps, put my 2 ton floor jack under the center of the rear crossmember (covering the 8" diameter jack pad with a piece of heavy carpet). I let the rear down on two jack stands. I've been doing this for over 4 yrs. with no ill effects. Have I been lucky? I know this isn't the proper procedure. I'm wondering if anyone's experienced a cracked cradle, or any other problems lifting the rear this way?
Reason being, that when lifting the rear with the floor jack, it is possible for the car to roll backwards off the rhino ramps (given enough incline and momentem). I've read about this happening to fellow members. I've made a couple of small wheel chocks out of wood and run a couple of small bolts down to the heads into the bottom of the wood chock. Drilled two small holes into the Rhino ramps to keep them in place behind the rear of the front tires. Just a little more insurance to keep the car from rolling backwards.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,172
Likes: 104
From: Des Moines Iowa
Yep, me too! Also first drive the car up onto wooden ramps made of stacked 2" x 12"s, which then allows room to put jack under front first, and then rear, crossmembers and use jack stands on all four corners under the lifting pads under the front and rear crossmembers..........very stable and solid. I cut out wooden circles made of plywood, that fit inside the jack cradle and secured one to each of the front and rear wooden lift pads. Doing so, puts the lift pad in the center of the jack for proper balance and security every time!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16,513
Likes: 4
From: Official Dirty Dozen Member
I used 24" X 54" pieces
I also have used a single jack under the rear when I'm too lazy to pull out my rack for oil changes
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 81
From: Fishin' Pole FL
Here is how I lift the rear.
Last edited by dndrsn; Nov 22, 2008 at 02:05 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
I used to lift the rear end with just a 2 x 6 and the jack in the middle, but I recently modified the 2 x 6 with a couple of 1/4" pads on each end to make sure the lifting force is not concentrated in the center of the cross member of the suspension.
The casting was not perfectly flat, so I even removed a little wood in some areas to make sure the load is evenly distributed.
The casting was not perfectly flat, so I even removed a little wood in some areas to make sure the load is evenly distributed.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 16,513
Likes: 4
From: Official Dirty Dozen Member
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: San Diego Ca
When I change my oil I run the front up on Rhino Ramps, put my 2 ton floor jack under the center of the rear crossmember (covering the 8" diameter jack pad with a piece of heavy carpet). I let the rear down on two jack stands. I've been doing this for over 4 yrs. with no ill effects. Have I been lucky? I know this isn't the proper procedure. I'm wondering if anyone's experienced a cracked cradle, or any other problems lifting the rear this way?
Jack car back up, replace drain plug and filter, remove pan. Lower car again and put in new oil.
Takes just a few minutes.
Last edited by 22vette; Nov 22, 2008 at 11:22 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 4,386
Likes: 689
From: Boise ID
For oil change, I jack up left front only; slide shallow catch pan under car; remove drain plug and filter, then carefully lower car to finish draining oil.
Jack car back up, replace drain plug and filter, remove pan. Lower car again and put in new oil.
Takes just a few minutes.
Jack car back up, replace drain plug and filter, remove pan. Lower car again and put in new oil.
Takes just a few minutes.
