Weird lifting situation
- Thread starter tngbody
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Normally when you start to raise one corner, the suspension moves to allow any front/rear or side/side tipping.
You are supporting the front of the car by solid frame members, so there can be no side/side tipping. Also the weight of the engine is between the jack stands, and the jack stands are away from the corners and closer to the middle of the car, front to back.
So when you raise the rear (also close to the middle) the car pivots around a line between the two jack stands.
All is normal. Don't forget to give the vehicle a side to side heave-ho to be sure it is stable before you climb under.
You are supporting the front of the car by solid frame members, so there can be no side/side tipping. Also the weight of the engine is between the jack stands, and the jack stands are away from the corners and closer to the middle of the car, front to back.
So when you raise the rear (also close to the middle) the car pivots around a line between the two jack stands.
All is normal. Don't forget to give the vehicle a side to side heave-ho to be sure it is stable before you climb under.
If I understand your question, yes supporting the car behind the front wheels leaves a lot of weight hanging over the nose. It will pivot on the Jack stands a little raising the rear of the car.
If you are new at jacking up cars. A few things you should know. Never use 4 stands under the frame. One will not be fully loaded.
Also know that a floor jack does not go straight up. They swing in an arc. So they must be free to roll forward when jacking up OR the car come towards it.
Be safe.
Also know that a floor jack does not go straight up. They swing in an arc. So they must be free to roll forward when jacking up OR the car come towards it.
Be safe.
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Hi- I’m curious as to the statement about using 4 stands. Can you elaborate? And even if there is an imbalance of weight/ load due to what-have-you why does that matter exactly? Trying to learn something new
Absolutely Matt. This is just safe advice I give to people. It does not apply to every situation but the fact is not every cement garage floor is perfectly flat and not every car will bend to reach the lowest stand.
Why do 99 out of 100 people get away with this? Most of these cars will sag to touch the lowest stand but IF it does not. It be an unsafe situation. The remedy, at least 2 under the suspension.
30 years ago I was under a Dodge Dart with 4 stands supporting the car by the frame. I was moving on a creeper and bumped into a stand and it shot out from under the frame. I panicked a rolled myself out from under the car and it just sat there with 3 stands supporting it. It was a rear stand and the 2 under the heavy end were solid. Even though I panicked and reacted in 1 sec. That 4rth stand was never loaded.
Why do 99 out of 100 people get away with this? Most of these cars will sag to touch the lowest stand but IF it does not. It be an unsafe situation. The remedy, at least 2 under the suspension.
30 years ago I was under a Dodge Dart with 4 stands supporting the car by the frame. I was moving on a creeper and bumped into a stand and it shot out from under the frame. I panicked a rolled myself out from under the car and it just sat there with 3 stands supporting it. It was a rear stand and the 2 under the heavy end were solid. Even though I panicked and reacted in 1 sec. That 4rth stand was never loaded.
Ya John. It was a pretty special car to me. It came from Texas so there was no rust, it had orange floors. 383 power and it went a very traction limited 12.40@111mph. I'm sure there was more in it but that was it's only visit to the track and we ended up selling it right after.Back to the 4rth stand supporting. I also see this on 2 post lifts. The 4rth arm is not really loaded. Not a concern with something that bends like a pick up truck but unibodies do not bend.
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