where to place jack

[WmWatt]

Just got a hydraulic trolley jack (1.5 ton) and wondering where best place to put it for jacking up front and rear wheels.

Up to now I've used the scissor jack that came with the car and put the front jack stand under the box beam, and the rear jack stand under the pivot for the axle frame. I'd like to continue putting the jack stands there.

Thanks.

[MTec007]

i havnt had any issues using floor jacks or jack stands on the frame. just dont place them on the floor of the cab or your gonna have a large bump on your floor like i have on my driver side floor. ive gotten the whole car up in the air with ONLY TWO well placed jacks one on the left and one right side of the car

[Studebaker]

you can also use the tie downs.

David

[freshtiva]

you can also use the tie downs.

David

I like using the stock sissors jack on the tie downs too. The tie downs fits perfectly in the slot on the jack and you dont have to mess up the pinch seams. Might need a 2x4 under the jack to get some height though.

[wybnrml]

I jack mine up under the front crossmember and the rear axle beam.

[juryrigger007]

Using the tie downs (or tow rings) allows you to have clearance to place your jack stands.

You ARE using jack stands...right?

[wybnrml]

Using the tie downs (or tow rings) allows you to have clearance to place your jack stands.

You ARE using jack stands...right?

Are you referring to me, I always put jack stands under, I never get under it with just the jack holding it up.

[MTec007]

Are you referring to me, I always put jack stands under, I never get under it with just the jack holding it up.

that takes all the mystery out of it..

no seriously i use jack stands always.. have a set in the back of my car with all my tools as well

[JohnGunn]

Here's what my '90 Festiva Ford Service Manual says:

Front:
Jack Position: "At the front of the engine mount member"
Safety Stand Positions: "On both side sills (front)"

Rear:
Jack Position: "At the center of the rear cross member"
Safety Jack Positions: "On both side sills (rear)"

These are "the only acceptable locations for jacking and supporting the vehicle."

Also this warning:
"Under no conditions should the jack or chassis stand come in contact with the trailing link."

John Gunn
Coronado, CA

[WmWatt]

I interpreted that quote from the manual to mean put the jack beside the tie down bracket. The car didn't go high enough but a 4" piece of 2x4 fit snug in beside the bracket and the car then went high enough to slip the jack stand under the box beam.

[freshtiva]

Whats a trailing link ?

[wybnrml]

Whats a trailing link ?

AKA Trailing arm, it connects the rear axle beam to the chassis.

[JPT]

I can tell you where NOT to put it...



On the rocker panel.

One of the previous owners thought this was a good spot.

That bubble under the paint is a huge hunk of bondo. The metal is all squashed in.

[JohnGunn]

I interpreted that quote from the manual to mean put the jack beside the tie down bracket. The car didn't go high enough but a 4" piece of 2x4 fit snug in beside the bracket and the car then went high enough to slip the jack stand under the box beam.

Someone will have to help me here. I think I understand what the manual is saying and it may be as you interpret it, but I don't know what you mean by "beside the tie down bracket." The manual said nothing about that. From the diagram in the manual it looks to be in the middle of the car just back of the front bumper. I know there is a front engine mount in that location which I'm assuming is a place strong enough to support the full weight of the front part of the car.

Also I'm not familiar with the term "box beam." Is that the heavy metal plate that runs front to back under the center of the engine compartment? If so then the jack goes under the front of that. The jack stands should be placed at the sides of the chassis where the scissor jack is placed to lift the car for wheel replacement.

As for the trailing arms and not using them to support the car, I know that they are connected to what appears to be a rear axle, but is called a torsion beam. It flexes to provides "semi-independent" rear suspension for the two rear wheels. I would guess they are to be avoided because they might be over flexed and distorted if forced to carry the whole weight of the car for a sustained period of time. The warning not to use them to support the car is mentioned twice, once in bold face type. Do you think they might know something we don't?

John Gunn
Coronado, CA

[JohnGunn]

I can tell you where NOT to put it...



On the rocker panel.

One of the previous owners thought this was a good spot.

That bubble under the paint is a huge hunk of bondo. The metal is all squashed in.

I would think all bets are off in dealing with rust. Do you think that might have been the problem? Manuals are written for new cars, or at the least sound ones.

John Gunn
Coronado, CA