The thought of a 3600lb car on top of me isn't comforting. What's the proper way to jack a car up and place it on jackstands?

Specificaly...Where do you place the jack? Where do you place the jackstands? What order do you do this in?

Thanks!

 

To jack it up in the rear, place the jack on the girdle of the rear-end. Place jack stands on either side of the axle.

To jack up the front, place the jack on the suspension crossmember. place jack stands on either side.

For added safety, I usually leave the jack under the car, with both stands.

 

Yeah, what he said. But I wouldn't reccoment having all four corners on jack stands. That could get bad if they tipped sideways. I always leave the jack up when I put jack stands under the car.

 

and dont forget to chock the front wheels when you jack up the rear, or you'll be screwed.

 

It depends on what you're tying to do. If you're removing the rear end you cann't support the car on the axles. Same is true for the front suspension. There is no one place thats best. Check your owners manual for some others. Just be sure you don't put them on any body panels or any thing that flexes.

 

Thanks for the input.....I'm mainly asking for general knowledge. I can't do much work where I live now....apartment complex parking lot. They tend to frown on it.

Next time I get the chance though I'm going to try to clean and lube up the rear spring mounts in an attempt to cure that rear suspension sqeak.

 

DON'T use grease! they will wear out faster....

 

I put my rear jackstands right where the control arm bolts to the frame, so the rear end will come down all the way. And I always try to rock the car before I get under it to make sure it is steady.

 

Yup...I plan on using graphite.