e-man

Hey guys. I asked the question in the thread about "who purchased l-tuned exhaust", but I think it's worthy of its own thread because it's important.

Where do you place the jack stand after you jack up a corner of the car? I am using a hydraulic jack on the stock jack locations (between the 2 notches on the pinch weld), but there just isn't enough room to slide a jack stand in there to lower the car onto it. I've got the base of the jack stand touching the base of the hydraulic jack and it's not even close. The stock jack location in the rear of the car is only about 18 inches along the pinch weld, and with the hydraulic jack lifting the car, the jack stand can't get close to where it needs to be.

Could someone enlighten me? I did search, and apparently Bit raised the question a few years ago but never got a definitive answer:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gs-2nd-gen-1998-2005/55246-dumb-question-about-jack-stands.html

BLK98GS3

I jack the car up from the tow hooks in the rear and place one jack stand in place at a time. Dont know if this is the right way but it works for me. I use the side if I need to do something to that particular side.

BA_GS400

iTrader: (1)

In the front of the car, I jack u the car with a low profile hydraulic jack (Craftsman) and use the frame, this allows me to put the jackstand at the "under-brace" mounting point.or under the Caster arm thing.
I've done it a dozen times and it's always rock solid (both sides on jacks). I feel like it's a good support place.

e-man

Our cars have tow hooks?

e-man

BA -- I'm not sure where the frame is and I don't know what the "under-brace" mounting point is either. Here's what I do know. I know where the stock jack locations are on all 4 corners of the car (between the notches on the pinch welds). I also know that there are these two rails that run from just behind the front wheels to just in front of the rear wheels that are really solid at the front of the car but not so solid at the rear of the car ( ). That's about the extent of my knowledge. Is the frame or under-brace anywhere near there?

Tammy

I place a 3 ton jack about twelve inches towards center of the standard jack notches, along the side lifting edge detailed in the owners manual. This allows the placing of the jackstand between the jack and the front wheel, near the notches. I have a 4x4 inch notched rubber block I use between the jack and the body.

Two fronts first, then the rear stands; as the front stands carry most of the weight.

e-man

Is that the rail I referred to above (the one that runs from just behind the front wheels to just in front of the rear wheels, about 12-18 inches in from each side of the car)?

Tammy

Yes, positioning the jack so the jackstand will fit next to it.

e-man

Well, here is what happened when I jacked up the car on that rail:

audax

iTrader: (10)

Just use a floor jack to raise the car up from the front cross member. Then place two jackstands on the frame rails. Then jack up the rear of the car from the differential and place two jacks in the back (rear frame rails or the rear subframe).

e-man

Do you have a picture of these locations? I'm kind of a dummy when it comes to stuff like this. I don't know where the front cross member or frame rails are.

Tammy

"I have a 4x4 inch notched rubber block I use between the jack and the body"

I have also used a notched piece of wood, so the weight is lifted by the edge and the square frame above it, without bending over the metal edge..

audax

iTrader: (10)

I'll do you one even better. Here's the page from the service manual that covers the jacking and lift points you can use.

As you can see on the first page, the only points you should jack the car up from using a floor jack is the front cross member (large tick bar right below the engine) and the rear differential. The sides should only be used for support, large lifts or using the factory jack to change a tire.

e-man

Hey thanks. That helps a lot. There's just one problem, though. I honestly don't believe my Craftsman hydraulic jack can reach those locations. If I slide the jack that far under the car, the handle will be under the car as well (or just barely sticking out).

audax

iTrader: (10)

Yeah thats a very very common problem. You'll need to drive up onto some pieces of wood first then to raise her up a bit.

I've seen some very low profile jacks in Japan that were marketed towards modders. Very very low profile and long to get deep under the car.

My old 240sx was slammed on Tein HEs. I had to drive up on blocks and use two different jacks to raise the car to a working height.

A company in Japan also makes some nice stands to drive up on. They are made with lower cars in mind and those with lip kits. The angle is shallow. I don't remeber the brand name but I do remember they were called "LDS" which stood for Low Down Stand or something like that.