Use of Jack Stands
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Driver
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,800
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From: Maryland
Use of Jack Stands
I recently purchased four Sears Craftsman jack stands, in anticipation of painting my brake calipers (with G2-brand caliper paint). The instructions with the jack stands warn against using them to hold all four corners of car at once (limit of front or back only).
Anybody know the reason for this warning? Is it the car sliding off on an incline? Would keeping the floor jack on, or only using on flat, level surfaces reduce whatever risk they anticipate?
Anybody know the reason for this warning? Is it the car sliding off on an incline? Would keeping the floor jack on, or only using on flat, level surfaces reduce whatever risk they anticipate?
Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,991
Likes: 3
From: California
You'll be fine as long as the jack stands weight limit is more then the cars weight.
Just make sure you have the car on a totally level/flat area so the weight is evenly distributed on the stands. Also, keep the jack under the car just a hair under the stands in the area your working so the car rests on the jack stands and not the jack itself just as a secondary precaution. If the stands fail (which I highly doubt) the jack will catch the car.
Just make sure you have the car on a totally level/flat area so the weight is evenly distributed on the stands. Also, keep the jack under the car just a hair under the stands in the area your working so the car rests on the jack stands and not the jack itself just as a secondary precaution. If the stands fail (which I highly doubt) the jack will catch the car.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
Hrmm... never seen this warning on any jackstands myself... although I would assume it is for those that might try and work on their car on a hill or something?
I've used 4 jackstands to hold the car up on a number of occasions (on a flat surface) and have never had a problem. But as mentioned, leave the jack under the car and almost holding weight, but more just touching than anything, so just in case those big hunks of metal give way it'll be there to try and catch it. Safety is always a top priority with this kind of stuff, so use your best judgement.
I've used 4 jackstands to hold the car up on a number of occasions (on a flat surface) and have never had a problem. But as mentioned, leave the jack under the car and almost holding weight, but more just touching than anything, so just in case those big hunks of metal give way it'll be there to try and catch it. Safety is always a top priority with this kind of stuff, so use your best judgement.
If you get to torquing some of the larger suspension bolts or similar in the 80+ftlb range, there is the possibility the car can shift and slip from the stands. Some of my buddies have screwed a rubber pad to their stands to alleviate slippage of metal on metal.
Last edited by RA40; Feb 16, 2004 at 08:34 PM.
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