Jacking at rear crossmember?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: Sarasota Florida
Jacking at rear crossmember?
Tomorrow is oil change day. I have the front up on Rino ramps but I can't get my floor jack under the rear crossmember. Thought I'd drive the rear wheels up on a couple of 2x10 which will give me enough clearance for my floor jack. Question is, is it ok to place the jack under the aluminum crossmember that runs between the two rear lower control arms or is there a better place?
Robert
Robert
Last edited by robertp; Oct 6, 2006 at 06:10 PM.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 428
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From: Smyrna Delaware
jack
That's what I do and I use a 2x6x12 between jack and crossmember. Before I got my kwiklift.
Be careful you don't touch the spring when jacking.
Be careful you don't touch the spring when jacking.
Last edited by John Cullen; Oct 6, 2006 at 06:22 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 25,889
Likes: 7
From: Virginia Beach
CI 3-5-6-7-8 Veteran
I've done it carefully on the x-member w/o a wood block, but I try not to... try to use the wood to span both ribs. So long as you span both ribs the wood isn't really needed. As said above avoid the spring.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 19,329
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From: Saint Augustine, FL
Mid-TN Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Originally Posted by John Cullen
That's what I do and I use a 2x6x12 between jack and crossmember. Before I got my kwiklift.
Be careful you don't touch the spring when jacking.
Be careful you don't touch the spring when jacking.
I do this same method (2x6). I drive up on a couple of 2" thick planks, and then I have plenty of room to jack the car up. I have to remove the 'cup' off the jack to get that extra clearance.
Pretty obvious stuff here, but make sure you use jack stands.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 8
From: Southwest Virginia
Originally Posted by FrogmanDave
I do it all the time. I just catch one of the ribs with my jack. That crossmember is hell for stout. Don't be skeered...it'll handle it 
Dave
Dave
You can chain to the aluminum cross member and bend the frame of the car back straight! Been there, done that...
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Brett Foote
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
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From: Flagstaff Az.
jacking
There was a post a few months ago with the recommendations from GM that said not to jack from the center of either the front or rear crossmember. I have always used the center with a block of wood for the front and the back with no apparent damage.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,799
Likes: 1
From: Dayton Ohio
Originally Posted by tiojames
There was a post a few months ago with the recommendations from GM that said not to jack from the center of either the front or rear crossmember. I have always used the center with a block of wood for the front and the back with no apparent damage.
I've always lifted my rear this way.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 166
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From: Sarasota Florida
I think I'll cut a 2x6 to span the whole cross member between the control arms. That should disribute the weight prett well. So far nobody has seemed to had any problems jacking this way so I think I'll go for it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,439
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From: Newark, DE
St. Jude Donor '06
One thing that hasn't been mentioned...
Remember that your transmission and parking brake only lock the rear wheels. Be sure you have the front wheels (on the ramps) chocked, or gravity will take over once you lift the rear wheels off the ground.
I wouldn't want to read on here about the car rolling backwards off the ramps and running you over.
Remember that your transmission and parking brake only lock the rear wheels. Be sure you have the front wheels (on the ramps) chocked, or gravity will take over once you lift the rear wheels off the ground.
I wouldn't want to read on here about the car rolling backwards off the ramps and running you over.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
Originally Posted by JR_VETTE
I do this same method (2x6). I drive up on a couple of 2" thick planks, and then I have plenty of room to jack the car up.
I also use a low profile aluminum racing jack to get under the rear suspension. 99 Nassau Blue
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,347
Likes: 4
From: Slidell La
Originally Posted by willBC5
I did exactly this when I installed my Magnaflow catback exhaust yesterday !! Without the ramps of course... 
when I installed my Magnaflow catback exhaust yesterday !! Without the ramps of course... thanks 99 Nassau blue
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 2,453
Likes: 81
From: Fishin' Pole FL
I made this out of Red Oak to keep it thin yet strong. With the front on ramps is just clears the rear crossmember when placed on a low profile jack. The disk on the bottom keeps it centered on the jack pad and the clips line it up on the crossmember. Handy little simple device for a lazy bastard like myself.
