Monday, July 23, 2012

Setting up vehicle on jack-stands

Jack stands are used to hold a car up above ground level, and are good as they are small, and do not interfere with the wheels if working on the brakes and suspension.  Today we learnt how to safely jack up a car and sit on stands. 

This process must be done on a flat concrete surface, is not recommended on sloped surfaces, gravel, dirt, grass, and do not work under car sitting on hydraulic jack. Use jack stands.

First thing we do when jacking a car up is to locate the jacking points for a hydraulic jack.  Starting with the front, we find the cross member.  It should have a bump on it which is there for hydraulic jacks. Do not jack at a flat surface as it will angle as the car rises.

Jack it up!












Set the jack stands on the point where the sway bar meets.  slowly lower the car onto the stands, while making sure the stands are positioned correctly.






Now repeat the process at the rear.  find the jacking point. It should also be on the bar between the two rear wheels.  There should also be a lump for jacks. However if there isn't, use a block of wood on the jack and jack it up on a strong place.

Jack it up!






Find a place as close to the rear as you can.  It needs to be strong, if you must, use the towing hooks at the back.  Try to avoid this.  Slowly lower the car and make sure the positioning of the stands are okay.  Keep your head clear.




No matter how smart your friends think they are, don't take their advice of sitting your car on milk crates!

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