Jacking front end

1TallMF · Jan 14, 2007

Alright guys, I realise this may be a retarded noob question, but here goes nothing...

How do you guys jack both sides of the front with a floor jack to put it on axle stands? Do you lift the car by the center of the front part of the K-member? I have an aluminum floor jack (minimum height 4") and even that seems to high to reach that part of the k-member. Or do you lift one side at a time and place an axle stand underneath? I tried that on 2 other cars before and it never worked, car started to topple-over sideways when jacking the second side.

I have to change my power steering rack soon and strangely enough this is the only thing that is boggling me about the whole job. Go figure. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Bens95cobra8594 · Jan 14, 2007

Unless I am misreading the above, couldn't you just floor jack under the k-member until the ft end is in the air and then stick jackstands under the unibody pinch points behind the front wheels?

BlownFiveLiter · Jan 14, 2007

I always jack mine from each control arm, one side at a time. Just make sure you lock the parking brake/chock the rear wheels so the car doesn't move on you.

1TallMF · Jan 14, 2007

Bens95cobra8594 said:
Unless I am misreading the above, couldn't you just floor jack under the k-member until the ft end is in the air and then stick jackstands under the unibody pinch points behind the front wheels?

Thats kind of what I was thinking, but my car is so damn low it doubt even my low-profile jack will fit under the front of the car. I thought I read you're not supposed to jack it from the center of the K-member though... I might be mistaken.

HISSIN50 · Jan 14, 2007

I have the same issue bud. I drive each front tire up on a 2x4 (one per side) so my jack fits underneath. I only have a Prokit - I wonder what the weedhoppers with Sportlines, etc do.

I'm always hinky about lifting it at the middle of the K member (a jack slip - and it has happened - could really screw up someone's day). I generally use a jack on each side of the car if needing both sides up in the air. I leave jacks in place and have jackstands under the K.

95yellowGTS · Jan 14, 2007

just try to get your jack under the k member. i would seriously advise that you DO NOT try to jack each side individually. that's bad news. jack it up and put your jackstands under each control arm, if possible. if you are lifting the entire car up, jack the rear end up first, and put your jackstands on the axle, as close to the wheels as possible. that way, when you life the front, the axle will just 'turn' on the stands, and not bind. good luck!

87_GT · Jan 14, 2007

HISSIN50 said:
I have the same issue bud. I drive each front tire up on a 2x4 (one per side) so my jack fits underneath.

+1 i just drive my car up on the 2x4s then put the jack under the k-member and put some stands under the control arms, then also leave the jack there.

1TallMF · Jan 14, 2007

Good advice guys, I'll try the 2x4 trick
This is the only time I wish my car still had the stock 4x4 stance. Oh well, there's a down side to everything I suppose...

Bens95cobra8594 · Jan 14, 2007

1TallMF said:
Good advice guys, I'll try the 2x4 trick
This is the only time I wish my car still had the stock 4x4 stance. Oh well, there's a down side to everything I suppose...

Bite your tongue boy...

turbogt · Jan 14, 2007

I had to build some miniature mdf ramps to drive mine onto so I can get my LOW PROFILE jack underneath it.lol

1TallMF · Jan 14, 2007

There are alot of houses under construction around my area... perhapse I'll go and, euhm... borrow some lumber

The Green GT · Jan 14, 2007

I have the same problem.
With my car lowered I can BARELY fit the stock scissor jack under. I had a flat around thanksgiving and I couldnt get the jack even under the car. I had to go in from the front and jack up from the k-member then use another jack to get the wheel up.

PITA. But i usually carry my small floor jack with me now,

Bosko5.0 · Jan 15, 2007

i have steeda sport springs 1 3/4" drop i currently have my car just about 2 ft off the ground, i didnt use 2x4's. I had to put the jack in through the front becuase the jack would hit the plastic pieces under there and i jacked it up by the X brace which is the lowest part of my car 3" if that since my exhuast now hits that I am going to custimize it some so it goes infront of the header make sure you put something behind the rear wheels.

Methodical · Jan 15, 2007

1TallMF said:
There are alot of houses under construction around my area... perhapse I'll go and, euhm... borrow some lumber

Yes and for how long I've borrowed some in my past I just forgot to return it

Methodical · Jan 15, 2007

I for 1 jack the car one side at a time and place the jack stands under the front control arm where the spring sits. I've been doing this for well over 22 years and never ever had any issues (safety always, always 1st). I even use this method when I put 4 jacks at each corner. After setting the jacks push on the car's fenders (side to side) to make sure there's no movement.

Oh when it comes to doing work under your car get rid of those stock jack crap they are not made for that kind of duty - just occassional tire changes. Get yourself a nice low profile shop jack. Sams club and other similar type stores sell these rather cheap.

1TallMF · Jan 15, 2007

Well this year is the year I'm totally revamping the suspension and brakes, so... at least 8 months

1TallMF · Jan 15, 2007

Methodical said:
I for 1 jack the car one side at a time and place the jack stands under the front control arm where the spring sits. I've been doing this for well over 22 years and never ever had any issues (safety always, always 1st). I even use this method when I put 4 jacks at each corner. After setting the jacks push on the car's fenders (side to side) to make sure there's no movement.

Oh when it comes to doing work under your car get rid of those stock jack crap they are not made for that kind of duty - just occassional tire changes. Get yourself a nice low profile shop jack. Sams club and other similar type stores sell these rather cheap.

Just bought a $200 aluminum 2-1/2 ton low-profile jack yesterday. I'm gonna buy 4 good axle stands this week. My dad had all this gear so I used to use his tools all the time. I'm on my own now, so I gotta start from scratch.

Dan95-5.0 · Jan 15, 2007

87_GT said:
+1 i just drive my car up on the 2x4s then put the jack under the k-member and put some stands under the control arms, then also leave the jack there.

i do the exact same

mine has the 4x4 look but i have the xenon front air dam so its a pain.

if i have to lift the whole car up, its front first then the rear or else its impossible.

if i had an air bag system in the front. i would just put air in the front bags and not have to worry about anything lol

Jacking front end

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