Jack Points?

[DD (CA)]

Literally, the most newbie of questions...

Can find lots of pictures of you guys with cars on jacks, but can't really tell where you're placing them? (And comments not to use the tube jacks; point taken). See some place under X-frame. That seems so far 'astern' of my usual late model euro points on the body seams right behind the tire wells.

So, I lifted from the end of one of those last night, but it's not a flat point and...too scary. Also seems potential for bending. Lifting on the pinch seam doesn't see right either.

I assume the little box with hole between X and seams is for factory jack, but odd...

Got a page from the manual? ;-)

I should have put an underside picture here for reference. Hope I can edit this later...haven't tried that yet.

(Sheepish) Thanks,

Derek

 

[Warren]

Slip

And Slide, when jacking from the front. Part of the fun at Tigers United was finding a very scarce commodity there. Steve Acala had a U shaped shoe built on to the front of his jack. The shoe cradled the front X member for a slip free front lift . On my list of tool ideas to borrow. I am sure he or another will post a pic.
Your car must have been gently lifted, I have guide dents elsewhere on the car.

 

[cobrakidz]

I usually drive the front on ramps and then jack the rear on the differential.

If I need to jack the front I will do it gently on the crossmember but it's scary. I have jacked up other cars from the bottom of the lower A arm.

 

[michael-king]

I jack the car on the front cross member but ensure it is centered and stays that way as it rises. On the rear I go under the diff.

You can also jack on the ends of the X brace under the car where they are the solid flattish parts near the sills... DO NOT JACK ON THE SILL SEAMS!

Also I find the rubber mouse pads make a nice cushion on the trolley jacks to prevent them scuffing the finish

Also once the car is in the air.. use axel stands.. you never know what can happen to the jack.

 

[steven]

Just had a thought, have not done it myself on my sunbeams however I have an exhaust bag jack for my 4x4. It lifts the whole side of the car without a jacking point. Maybe suitable to lift a sunbeam so you can then place stands.

 

[DD (CA)]

nuther idea..

So, many are suggesting using the crossmember as the lift point , but I am contemplating trying to drop this myself to then remove motor/trans, via the tricks seen here and read on tu.com... so... I cant use that for this purpose.

Has to be on X or elsewhere.

Today found a jack accessory that I'll have to try. Harbor Freight cross beam, about $40 and screws onto the jack lift point.

What I like:
- spreading the load
- rubber mounts
- mounts can be twisted to adjust offset (for balancing front crossmember, for example, ala Duke's 2x4 and nylon strap method (no tig for me either to make a custom spreader)

http://www.harborfreight.com/floor-jack-cross-beam-60762.html

Thinking I can use to lift the whole front or rear in one steady motion too...

So, lift at X beam, towards center front of car with spread out cross beam, place jacks stands under X, at sides (if flat), towards middle (if sides not flat), then use to place under front end crossmember too.

Michael, whats the worst that could happen aside from seam busting open and allowing jack to pinch through if using seam. Cause I'll admit... I did this... once. But didn't go under. Won't do it again...

Thanks all,
Derek

 

[the_tool_man]

When I pulled the front crossmember from my car, I used an engine hoist from above. The threaded inserts that attach the crossmember are threaded all the way through, into the engine compartment. I just ran bolts into those holes and hooked a chain to them. You have to remove the hood, though.

 

[65beam]

points

if you look at page 18 on my photo bucket you'll see the braces added to the area at the front of the floors where they start to turn up towards the firewall. they run from the inner rockers to the frame rail. these are not intended for using a jack to raise the car but for setting the front of the car on jack stands. http://s606.photobucket.com?albums/tt142/65beam/ you can raise the car using a jack under the front crossmember but never leave the hydraulic jack under it without using stands.

 

[Warren]

up first

The shoe is a cradle that goes front to back around the x member.
It makes jacking up cake as the jack can't slide.fwd. or aft.
The shoe matches the curves of the front of the X in the forward most spot .


I like a old wetsuit like the mouse pad material , scraps of old bike tire is good too,under X member.

Being a old conv. guy I do not like even opening doors while lifting engine end of car.

 

[steven]

Used the airbag today, brilliant, lifts the whole car if you want to. Big footprint and big surface molded to the underside of the sunbeam.

 

[wag123]

Used the airbag today, brilliant, lifts the whole car if you want to. Big footprint and big surface molded to the underside of the sunbeam.

I have GOT to get me one of those!!!
Does the one you have use the vehicle's exhaust or an air compressor?

 

[Tiger tamer]

I always put the stands here when working on the front and want the front suspension free to work on. Which is the front of the X frame (the wrinkly bit ). Also when using a jack on the front cross member I use a hand towel which protects the finish and also provides a better grip for the jack on he cross member. Also make sure the trolley jack has a smooth surface so it can travel back as you lift the front of the car.
If the jack can travel then it won't slide off the cross member.

 

[steven]

I have GOT to get me one of those!!!
Does the one you have use the vehicle's exhaust or an air compressor?

The cars exhaust or a compressor.

 

[wag123]

I only found two of them available, Titan and Jack-In-The-Bag. Which one do you have?