| Kris |
We talk a lot about inspections, repairs, wheels rotations, brakes pads replacements etc. Most of these tasks require lifting the car. We have not talked about the basics, or are those too basics to talk about?
Car lifting:
- What jack to use.
- Where to place the jack.
- Does a “soft pad” need to be used.
- Any special considerations.
- Safety rules to follow up.
- Apply park brakes.
- Do’s & Don’ts
- What stands to use.
- Where to place them.
I know for many people these issues are too basics but I found myself too many times talking about advanced topic to people who needed basics. The car manual is just too generic to be of real help.
I know many people would say “just buy a book” but I am after a real life experience. And I believe that members of this board have more experience than all the books combined. Who wants to start. |
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| Stoker |
Kris
I agree with you in regards to safety, so here are my thoughts.
Car lifting:
- What jack to use.
It depends on the weight of the car, when you buy car jacks there are designed for certain weight. If unsure get help from someone where you buy your car parts.
- Where to place the jack.
If you read your cars manual it shows on the graphic where to place the jacks so that the car is properly supported
- Does a “soft pad” need to be used.
I am assuming you mean between the car jack and the car. Most cars have a harden point on which the car sits on the jack. I personally have never used one btween my jacks and car.
- Any special considerations.
Ensure that you lift up both sides of the car before you start to work on it. That means that if you are working under the front part of the car that both side need to be jacked up.
- Safety rules to follow up.
For me personally the use of good work gloves and safety glasses are a must when working on a car. so that your hands and eyes are protected.
- Apply park brakes.
Always use you parking brake, however if you are working on the rear discs or ant other time you are working on your car with two wheels off the ground, always block your tires in case the emergency brake fails for what ever reason.
- Do’s & Don’ts
DO NOT Rush your work, make sure that your car is ready to work on and that it will not fall on you.
Ensure that your battery is disconnected when working on the electrics as you can cause a electric short that may damage your equipment.
If what you are doing does not feel right for what ever reason, back away and decide if what you are doing is correct or whether or not you can do it successfully. Maybe it is time for a garage.
DO use the right tools and do not start a job unless you have all the tools you need.
Ensure your tools are functioning properly to be used, having a broken set of pliers can ruin your day.
Inspect your tools to see if there is mechainical damage like cracks in handles or working ends of the tools.
If you working in your engine compartment, use cover to protect the paint and grill that box in that compartment.
Well that is enough for now, look forward to others comments on this subject.
:2: |
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| zebelkhan |
Well said. I can only think of a few additional items at this point.
1- If you did not know the above, then you do not know enough to attempt any repairs on your MO so do not even start. Leave it to the professionals.
2- If you do use a jack to lift the car, remember that a jack is a mechanical device and can fail. Besides using blocks to keep the car from rolling, use jack stands and let them support the weight of the car while the jack itself will be your secondary safety support. This will also keep the car from rolling, or swinging from side to side and falling off the jack.
3- Never use ramps to lift one end of the car while using a jack to lift the other. This is very dangerous and will increase the chance if the vehicle falling off. With the same token, do not use 4 jack stands to lift all four wheels. The car will not be stable. |
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| Kris |
| Great posts! And some details on lifting points locations. Let's hope it help some of us.... |
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| Eric L. |
Great thread.
I will second the caution for the rear axle jacking point. Be VERY CAREFUL not to damage the canister located near the jacking point. Other than that, there is some excellent advice posted above that I hope all home wrenchers will have a look at (or already know).
To add to Zelbakahn's jack stand comment - never ever climb underneath the car that is supported only by a jack. The most secure setup would be to use both jackstands (at all four corners) and to have a backup jack pumped up to one of the front or rear jack points in case something something fails.
Oh and get yourself a nice pad to sit or kneel on in the garage. Nothing is worse than kneeling or lying on hard concrete while arching your body in all sorts of contortions to reach something underneath the car. I picked up some non slip garage mats from the local Costco and they fit together in a jigsaw like fasion. Very useful.
Always wear eye protection, no matter what kind of repair you are doing on the car. And always take your time. Rushing leads to sloppy jobs, leaks, and possible injuries (no brakes, no brakes...ahhhhhh). |
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| Eric L. |
| Surprised no one made this a sticky yet. So, I'm doing it. |
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| buttfish77 |
| What do you place on your jack stands to avoid crushing the vertical steel lip that exists at the jacking points? Is there a quick substitute that everyone uses or do you have to buy the adapter from Nissan? |
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| Eric L. |
| I have never had a problem with that vertical lip. Its plenty strong to support the weight of the vehicle, you will not need an adapter (although I suppose it wouldn't hurt). |
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| Kris |
| I did not buy attachement. What I did was buy a "normal" stand like this.... |
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| Kris |
then take a grider and cut a groove like this.
It worked for me.........
Notice: take every safety precaution when working with a grinder!!! |
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| ekaxel |
| You can do that with a good piece of wood, like a landscape timber. Much easier to cut the groove! |
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| buttfish77 |
| The "stock" jackstand looks like it already has a groove in it that is perpendicular to the one you cut. Is there any reason you can't use it that way? |
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