Flat Tire
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,810
Likes: 15
From: MI
Flat Tire
We swung out to get some gas & carry-out BBQ. I backed into the garage, got out, and heard the telltale "Psssst". Sure enough, the left rear tire was losing air. I put the car back in the driveway so I'd have room to work, choked down dinner, and went out to change the tire.
I couldn't find a good lift point to place my floor jack (nor could I find a good answer here), so I used the scissors jack in the trunk. The jack handle is rather poorly designed, so it's best to use gloves. The flat came off and the spare went on with no problems. Luckily, the flat is on the scraped wheel, so I'll have the tire store swap the tires with the clean spare wheel. (The tire damage looks to be a clean puncture in the center of the tread that can be repaired.)
Is there a source for good locations to place a floor jack that aren't under the pumpkin?
I couldn't find a good lift point to place my floor jack (nor could I find a good answer here), so I used the scissors jack in the trunk. The jack handle is rather poorly designed, so it's best to use gloves. The flat came off and the spare went on with no problems. Luckily, the flat is on the scraped wheel, so I'll have the tire store swap the tires with the clean spare wheel. (The tire damage looks to be a clean puncture in the center of the tread that can be repaired.)
Is there a source for good locations to place a floor jack that aren't under the pumpkin?
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
pumkin?
Not sure what you're referring to as "pumkin" but I've always used the metal slots where the scissor jacks would go on and I've never had problems. I rotate my tires using those points.
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
So so...
Like I said, I've always jacked from the scissor points and never had any slippage or issues. Just remember to chock the wheels.
Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 184
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
These things always seem to happen when a person is about to enjoy something they'd prefer to be doing instead. At least you got a trial run in the comfort of the home garage in case you ever have to do it on the side of the road (I'm knocking on wood) 
I see the concern with using the floor jack on the spots designed for the scissor jack.
For the front end I think the lower fascia might be high enough to get a floor jack straight under to the suspension cross member. It's a pretty solid spot I've used on all my cars (except the Prelude it was too low).
Rear is the issue with the diff or the scissor spots being the main spots I can think of. I have only tried using the diff spot on my truck. It's supposed to be a solid spot and it worked well but I had access to cheap salvage parts for my Sierra and the LS is a different story.
Depending on the shape and size of the contact point on your floor jack a small square of plywood can sometimes help as a sort of spongy interface when contact points seem incompatible. Similarly, I like to use plywood sheets under my jack stands so they sink in a bit and sit firmly as opposed to not sitting completely flat on my driveway.
I see the concern with using the floor jack on the spots designed for the scissor jack.
For the front end I think the lower fascia might be high enough to get a floor jack straight under to the suspension cross member. It's a pretty solid spot I've used on all my cars (except the Prelude it was too low).
Rear is the issue with the diff or the scissor spots being the main spots I can think of. I have only tried using the diff spot on my truck. It's supposed to be a solid spot and it worked well but I had access to cheap salvage parts for my Sierra and the LS is a different story.
Depending on the shape and size of the contact point on your floor jack a small square of plywood can sometimes help as a sort of spongy interface when contact points seem incompatible. Similarly, I like to use plywood sheets under my jack stands so they sink in a bit and sit firmly as opposed to not sitting completely flat on my driveway.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 486
Likes: 3
From: IN
Caddy, there is a frame beam just behind the "pumpkin" where the rear swing arms connect. I use my hydraulic jack with a short piece of 2x4 soft pine between the frame and jack(for cushioning and clearance from the pumpkin) and lift the frame member rather than the pumpkin.
Last edited by randal; May 4, 2010 at 06:39 AM.
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Racer
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,358
Likes: 87
From: Delaware
On jacking subject, I also have had a problem on exactly how to jack the vehicle using my floor jack, and then lower it onto a jackstand!
Ideally, I'd like to jack the car with my floor jack at the "approved" (scissor) jacking point, and then lower her onto jack stands at those "approved" points...but there's just not enough of a jacking "spot" to do this. (having 2 different supports at these spots simulateously)
I am hesitant to place jack stands at the outter most/straight areas of the rear axle.
It seems like it would be easy to jack her from the rear differential, and then place jackstands at the "approved" jacking points. Has anyone done it that way? Also, what's the best spot for the same process in the front? PICS sure would be sweet in this situation......
PS...Greg-what caused your flat?
EDIT---Randal..just read your post.
Ideally, I'd like to jack the car with my floor jack at the "approved" (scissor) jacking point, and then lower her onto jack stands at those "approved" points...but there's just not enough of a jacking "spot" to do this. (having 2 different supports at these spots simulateously)
I am hesitant to place jack stands at the outter most/straight areas of the rear axle.
It seems like it would be easy to jack her from the rear differential, and then place jackstands at the "approved" jacking points. Has anyone done it that way? Also, what's the best spot for the same process in the front? PICS sure would be sweet in this situation......
PS...Greg-what caused your flat?
EDIT---Randal..just read your post.
Last edited by LS430inDE.; May 4, 2010 at 06:49 AM.
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Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 4,810
Likes: 15
From: MI
The flat was cause by a broken tip from what appeared to be a steak knife in the center of the tread. I was parked at a restaurant, waiting inside about 10 minutes to pick up carryout. Accident or vandalism? Either is possible.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,516
Likes: 82
From: Northern VA
We swung out to get some gas & carry-out BBQ. I backed into the garage, got out, and heard the telltale "Psssst". Sure enough, the left rear tire was losing air. I put the car back in the driveway so I'd have room to work, choked down dinner, and went out to change the tire.
I couldn't find a good lift point to place my floor jack (nor could I find a good answer here), so I used the scissors jack in the trunk. The jack handle is rather poorly designed, so it's best to use gloves. The flat came off and the spare went on with no problems. Luckily, the flat is on the scraped wheel, so I'll have the tire store swap the tires with the clean spare wheel. (The tire damage looks to be a clean puncture in the center of the tread that can be repaired.)
Is there a source for good locations to place a floor jack that aren't under the pumpkin?
I couldn't find a good lift point to place my floor jack (nor could I find a good answer here), so I used the scissors jack in the trunk. The jack handle is rather poorly designed, so it's best to use gloves. The flat came off and the spare went on with no problems. Luckily, the flat is on the scraped wheel, so I'll have the tire store swap the tires with the clean spare wheel. (The tire damage looks to be a clean puncture in the center of the tread that can be repaired.)
Is there a source for good locations to place a floor jack that aren't under the pumpkin?
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