What work CAN'T be done on Jack Stands??
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,064
Likes: 1,166
From: N. Alabama
What work CAN'T be done on Jack Stands??
Is a lift an absolute necessary or more of 'just a nice thing to have'? What are the most difficult jobs to be done on jack stands?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 344
Likes: 50
From: Marietta GA
Ok, I'll bite on this one. You can't store a car on jack stands. Seriously, I've owned a lift for >10 years and can't count the times that it saved my butt. For example, I had a new differential installed in my '68 Firebird convertible by a "professional shop". About two weeks after receiving the car back, the rear end broke loose on one side and the car was attached only by the Right rear shock! (Turns out the "professional shop" used non grade 8 hardware that sheared!) Long story short, I was able to single handedly put all back together with my lift and a bottle jack. Simply stated, most repairs become easier, definitely safer and less dependent on outside "help". As a bonus, I get to increase my collection due to the extra storage space afforded by the four post drive on lift. All in all, since you own it for life, and it lasts forever, consider it a small investment. I've moved my lift 3 times (marriage will do that for ya) and have never considered going without one again.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,404
Likes: 1,595
From: Western NY
Depends on the car, in terms of where you can safely place stands so they won't slide out. In other words, under front A-arms, which tend to be at an angle, won't securely hold a car. Yes, in that instance they might be safer than a jack alone, but they're liable to slide. Likewise at the front side of the frame on a 63-82 'Vette, as the frame angles up at this point.
Under a solid rear axle, when the stand has a "cup shape", they're the nuts, or under a completely flat frame section, same deal....
Under a solid rear axle, when the stand has a "cup shape", they're the nuts, or under a completely flat frame section, same deal....
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,259
Likes: 1
From: Las Vegas NV
St. Jude Donor '10
I was a couple weeks away from buying my first lift. Then my trans popped. So I gotta use my lift $$$ for a new trans, and will swap it in my gravel driveway on jackstands.
Anything CAN be done on jackstands. But some jobs would be FAR easier and with less chance of injury with a lift.
Anything CAN be done on jackstands. But some jobs would be FAR easier and with less chance of injury with a lift.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,590
Likes: 48
From: Nathalie VA
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18
I don't have a garage yet. So all my work is done on jackstands supported by concrete pavers in the grass. I have thick rubber mats to lay on and built a rig out of 2x4"s to serve as extenions to put the front end on rhino ramps and support a floor jack.
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 14,064
Likes: 1,166
From: N. Alabama
Racer
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 448
Likes: 18
From: Tucson AZ
That's funny. I got one for you; I had barely gotten clearance on the stands to reach the oil drain plug on the creeper and the casters were getting hung up on the cardboard that was laid down several days before. I tried to move it while under the car and just as I raised the corner of it a little bit I caught the image of a snake! ZOOM - I shot out from under the car and don't know how I kept from hanging up on anything but I sure cleared the car. It ended up to be just a garter snake.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 772
Likes: 4
From: Ottawa ON
A lift will save your health and make all jobs just a little easier. If you suffer from back pain, using jack stands won't help you, but a lift will let you work more comfortably. Consider the space you get as well. With a lift, you have a wider view of everything.
Yes, you can do everything on jack stands, but a lift makes everything easier.
Yes, you can do everything on jack stands, but a lift makes everything easier.