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How do you lift your car? usually that's the biggest challenge for DIYing

by 2rsf 5y ago

zelon88 5y ago
I have several methods available, and I have them ranked by safest method. I always use ramps whenever possible. Do not exceed the load rating of the ramps. They WILL collapse. I will go to decent lengths to use ramps, including removing the bumper cover if necessary on low cars. Ramps are my preferred method because they are less likely to tip over and the weight of the car is naturally supported by the suspension. Don't forget to chock the wheels and apply the parking brake. In this configuration I will sometimes also place jack stands under the car without extending them all the way. This serves as a fallback in case the ramps collapse. If I can't use the ramps due to vehicle weight or because I need to remove the suspension I will jack the car up with a floor jack. If that doesn't reach I use a bottle jack and some wooden blocks, which is better for taller cars and trucks. If lifting the front I always put the jack on one side of the front crossmember (engine cradle) right near the mounting bushings. This is the most solid universal place on all cars that is strong enough. Position the jack so it contacts the engine cradle in a place where the body or frame of the car is behind the lift point. If the jack is placed on hollow sheet metal; it will collapse. It needs to be placed on thick plate steel. If lifting a vehicle with a solid axle then you lift from the axle directly underneath one of the spring perches. Once the car is off the ground I throw multiple jack stands under the car and raise them as high as they will go. Then I lower the jack so the car is completely supported by the jack stands. If lifting a vehicle with a solid axle you typically lift from the axle but place the jack stands under the frame or chassis. This way the vehicle is "unsprung" while you're working on it. If I'm just changing a tire I'll use the included jack from the trunk and throw the spare tire next to it as a safety. That is strictly for tire changes, though. Quick on and off type deals. The screw type jack included with most vehicles is known as the "widowmaker" in the automotive community, for good reason. These typically fail when used on uneven terrain. What happens is the side load on the jack causes them to kink in the middle and collapse sideways.
giantg2 5y ago
If you need the wheel off the ground, use a jack and jack stands. Otherwise best to use ramps. I like using 2x10s to build my own ramp rather than the metal ones you can buy. Be careful about blocking the wheels, and never get under a car that is only on a jack without a jack stand or something else.

How do you lift your car? usually that's the biggest challenge for DIYing

by 2rsf 5y ago

How do you lift your car? usually that's the biggest challenge for DIYing

I have several methods available, and I have them ranked by safest method. I always use ramps whenever possible. Do not exceed the load rating of the ramps. They WILL collapse. I will go to decent lengths to use ramps, including removing the bumper cover if necessary on low cars. Ramps are my preferred method because they are less likely to tip over and the weight of the car is naturally supported by the suspension. Don't forget to chock the wheels and apply the parking brake. In this configuration I will sometimes also place jack stands under the car without extending them all the way. This serves as a fallback in case the ramps collapse. If I can't use the ramps due to vehicle weight or because I need to remove the suspension I will jack the car up with a floor jack. If that doesn't reach I use a bottle jack and some wooden blocks, which is better for taller cars and trucks. If lifting the front I always put the jack on one side of the front crossmember (engine cradle) right near the mounting bushings. This is the most solid universal place on all cars that is strong enough. Position the jack so it contacts the engine cradle in a place where the body or frame of the car is behind the lift point. If the jack is placed on hollow sheet metal; it will collapse. It needs to be placed on thick plate steel. If lifting a vehicle with a solid axle then you lift from the axle directly underneath one of the spring perches. Once the car is off the ground I throw multiple jack stands under the car and raise them as high as they will go. Then I lower the jack so the car is completely supported by the jack stands. If lifting a vehicle with a solid axle you typically lift from the axle but place the jack stands under the frame or chassis. This way the vehicle is "unsprung" while you're working on it. If I'm just changing a tire I'll use the included jack from the trunk and throw the spare tire next to it as a safety. That is strictly for tire changes, though. Quick on and off type deals. The screw type jack included with most vehicles is known as the "widowmaker" in the automotive community, for good reason. These typically fail when used on uneven terrain. What happens is the side load on the jack causes them to kink in the middle and collapse sideways.

giantg2 5y ago

If you need the wheel off the ground, use a jack and jack stands. Otherwise best to use ramps. I like using 2x10s to build my own ramp rather than the metal ones you can buy. Be careful about blocking the wheels, and never get under a car that is only on a jack without a jack stand or something else.