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How to jack our cars?

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Old Dec 12, 2005 | 02:17 PM
  #1  
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How to jack our cars?

Ok, first off sorry to anybody if this is in the wrong place, just seemd right here. I search the board already but with no luck, so I guess I'm just to stupid to know how to do it

Well since I'm a smart boy, I consulted my Chiltons and my Haynes manual for the correct awnser, and what did I find, two diffrent awnsers

Now which one is correct? Uptill now I have been jacking my car up like in the Chiltons version, and my question is, is there a "center" place where I can lift the whole end up of the car at once to be able to place on jackstands, without having to have the car dangle left and rigth to get the one end in the air? I'm getting higher jackstands soon 60cms max and thats a bit to high for the car to dangle on one side and up the other. Now am I able to lift the car somewhere in the center?

Thanks in advance for your help!


Chiltons Version (the way I have been doing it)


Haynes Version
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Old Dec 12, 2005 | 03:11 PM
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i was hoping this would be a thread about how to steal a thirdgen........... lol
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Old Dec 14, 2005 | 11:38 AM
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From: Chilliwack,B.C., Canada
Car: 1987 Transam
Engine: 1991 350 Bored .030 over
Transmission: TH350 w/stage 2 shift kit
I find a good place to jack the front of the car is the crossmember for the motor. For the rear I go under the diff., just be sure you don't go on the sway bar that crosses there about 1/2" away from it.
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Old Dec 14, 2005 | 12:22 PM
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Car: 1986 Camaro Z28
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Originally posted by TABANDIT
I find a good place to jack the front of the car is the crossmember for the motor. For the rear I go under the diff., just be sure you don't go on the sway bar that crosses there about 1/2" away from it.
Yep thats the best way to do it. If your car is too low to get the jack under the k frame (crossmember) just drive your front tires up on some wood or something. Thats what I do.
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Old Dec 31, 2005 | 04:35 PM
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From: Massachusetts
Car: 87 Trans Am, 89 RX7
Engine: 350tpi,350carb
Transmission: T-5,t56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Posi,4.11 posi
Is it ok to jack the car at the lower control arm?

Last edited by rjpbboi; Jan 3, 2006 at 02:48 PM.
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Old Jan 8, 2006 | 07:54 AM
  #6  
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From: Buffalo, NY
Car: 89 WS6
Engine: 305 TPI
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt T2R w/ 3:23
I often place a jack stand on the LCA but I have never tried to jack from there. I place my jack just in front of the LCA centered on the tit that is there on the subframe.
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Old Jan 26, 2006 | 09:40 PM
  #7  
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There older threads may help

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...ow+to+jack+car

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...ow+to+jack+car

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...ow+to+jack+car

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...ht=jacking+car

https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...ht=jacking+car

There are more that a quick search will uncover.
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 10:27 AM
  #8  
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From: Yellowknife, NWT, Canada
Car: 84 Z28
Engine: 357
Transmission: TH-350C
Axle/Gears: 3.43
Originally Posted by MrDude_1
i was hoping this would be a thread about how to steal a thirdgen........... lol

Thats exactly what i was thinking whe i saw the title "how to jack our cars"
lol

I just look around for a place that looks solid and start jacking and make sure its not going to kick out and have the car fall on your foot or something. Not like some of the people i have seen that just slide the jack under their cars anywhere and start jacking on a floorpan or something
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 07:33 PM
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Car: 89' Iroc-Z G92
Engine: TPI 305 G92
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Axle/Gears: Limited 9 bolt, 3.45
Well on Stealing pre-1989 camaros, jiggler key.. but lets not talk about that.. On Vats cars Im not helping cause I own one,, dont feel like losing it anytime soon.

As far as jacking the car, I usually pick it up be the control arms, or the floor pan subframe rail. ,, be careful with this cause though it can hold the weight of the car, a curved jacking mount can bend it a little.
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Old Mar 29, 2006 | 09:21 PM
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From: Yellowknife, NWT, Canada
Car: 84 Z28
Engine: 357
Transmission: TH-350C
Axle/Gears: 3.43
Vats is a joke, anyone with a few seconds of time can drive away in your car!
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Old Mar 30, 2006 | 05:50 AM
  #11  
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Car: 89' Iroc-Z G92
Engine: TPI 305 G92
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: Limited 9 bolt, 3.45
No I have had people try, you need someone with exprience who actually steals these cars. Which would be quite random today
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Old Apr 1, 2006 | 03:17 PM
  #12  
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From: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Car: 1982 Trans Am
Engine: LG4
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I haven't read through the entire thread, but this should help.
Attached Thumbnails How to jack our cars?-fbody1x.jpg  
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Old May 18, 2006 | 07:15 PM
  #13  
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From: Louisville, Ky
Car: 1991 Z28
Engine: 383
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.08 10 Bolt
My car is lowered, like many others, so I have to get a small jack under one of the a-arms from the wheel well. When I have clearance I get my bigger jack under the center of the K-Member up front. In the rear I go straight for the pumpkin (rear end)...when my exhaust is actually hooked up, I can't get to the pumpkin from the rear of the car so I have to go at it from one of the rear wheelwells then get another jack, when I have the clearance, under the pumpkin. Kind of like the front.

To support them on stands (if you want the suspension to hang) place the stands under the little bit of framerail we have in the front and rear.
If you need to load the suspension place the stands under the axel tubes in the rear. In the front, the only decent place is on the aarm somewhere as close to the wheel as you can get it (be careful not to mess up your ball joint) This won't load the suspension completly. If you do need to load the suspension completly up front you have to set the car back down on its wheels; like on ramps (too bad we can't just drive up on them).
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Old May 18, 2006 | 08:12 PM
  #14  
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From: Minnesota
Car: 1998 Mustang
Engine: 3.8L V6
Transmission: Automatic with overdrive
Axle/Gears: 2.73:1 axle ratio
Originally Posted by MrDude_1
i was hoping this would be a thread about how to steal a thirdgen........... lol
LOL thats what i was hoping
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Old May 18, 2006 | 08:30 PM
  #15  
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From: Burnaby, BC, Canada
Car: 1989 Camaro Iroc-Z
Engine: 305 TPI (LB9)
Transmission: Auto 4
My brilliant plan is 2 2x12s nailed together with a 45 cut in a stagger. My car is too low to get a jack under (front crossmember) so I drive up on them, and it makes it high enough that I can actually get under it with them.
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Old May 18, 2006 | 08:45 PM
  #16  
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All you need to steal any car is a tow truck.
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Old May 28, 2006 | 12:41 AM
  #17  
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From: canada, eh
Car: 1987 Z28 camaro
Engine: 305 V8
Transmission: auto
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt pozi
lol on the subject on jacking our cars I came across this.
Lockpicks : Combo List : Keepshooting.com
http://www.keepshooting.com/booksand...-car-video.htm
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Old Feb 20, 2007 | 05:38 PM
  #18  
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sweeeeet... err, but very wrong (bookmarks site).

Not like some of the people i have seen that just slide the jack under their cars anywhere and start jacking on a floorpan or something
I think the previous owner of my car actually tried jacking the car under the exhaust pipe under the pass. door for a bit. Good thing I'm gonna replace it soon. I wouldn't put it past him too, I'm thinking of starting a thread here called "Dumbest Car Owners" that's comprised of stories (and pics) of stupid car mistakes from previous owners (I've got a buttload).
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Old Feb 20, 2007 | 05:50 PM
  #19  
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From: Sherman, Tx - N. of Dallas
Car: Blue 89' RS
Engine: 5.7L
Transmission: 700r4
Axle/Gears: 3.42
i always jack it up by the arm that connects to the wheel... whatever that is called. it has a little notch in it where i set my jackstand in.
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Old Apr 27, 2007 | 07:53 AM
  #20  
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From: Corpus Christi, Tx
Car: '86 Firebird
Engine: '85 TPI on crate 350
Transmission: T-5 man
Re: How to jack our cars?

The PO of my firebird jacked on the center of the lower radiator support...
it's bowed in a couple of inchs!
Didn't find it until I replaced the radiator ... still haven't figured out how to straighten out the bend.

DON'T JACK THERE ... EVER !
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Old Apr 27, 2007 | 01:24 PM
  #21  
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From: Toronto CANADA - GM Parts Rep.
Car: 1987 Iroc Z28
Engine: The KING of the 3rd gen TPI's.
Transmission: Beefed up T5
Axle/Gears: Aussie 3.45's
Re: How to jack our cars?

I often ask myself how do I get a jack under the car to begin with?!!
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Old Apr 27, 2007 | 04:10 PM
  #22  
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Car: 89 TA
Engine: 305 TBI
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Re: How to jack our cars?

Originally Posted by freestylzz
I often ask myself how do I get a jack under the car to begin with?!!
I have to lift on my TA a bit to even get the jack under the crossmember. Then from there I slowly pump the jack in 5" increments because there's so little space when the handle is in the wheel-well. It's the only place the handle fits when jacking the crossmember...
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Old May 14, 2007 | 02:17 AM
  #23  
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Transmission: Magnum F - to be installed
Axle/Gears: Zexel Torsen 3.73, 28-spline mosers
Re: How to jack our cars?

I have the Hotchkiss lowering springs on my 84 T/A. I had to buy a lowered jack, only 3 1/2" high and I still can't get under the air dam in the front. So I jack just behind the front wheels on the frame. There is a "flat spot" where the frame seems to come together that I use. I do one side at a time until I can put jack stands under the engine cradle. I haven't had to jack the rear yet but I'll try jacking on the pumpkin when I do.
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Old May 14, 2007 | 01:32 PM
  #24  
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From: Acworth/Marietta, GA
Car: 88 IROC
Engine: 350 TPI
Transmission: Pro 5.0 shifted T56
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.73 posi
Re: How to jack our cars?

i used to jack my firebird on the sway bar. it was solid though, DO NOT JACK ON A HOLLOW SWAY BAR!!!

Actually, jacking on the sway bar probably isnt the best idea to begin with. Never gave me any trouble though. My iroc has hollow sway bars, so i have to do it the correct way and scoot it all the way back to the crossmember. Even so, it fell off the jack a couple of nights ago. Luckily it didnt come down on anything important, like a radiator support or the oil pan. (or me!) It did warp my dads jack though, he was all kinds of happy about that.


Wow i really sound like an ignorant hillbillie typing this
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Old May 15, 2007 | 07:48 PM
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Car: Pontiac Firebird T-Top
Engine: V6 3.1 170HP and LSX swap in mind
Transmission: TH700-stock
Axle/Gears: 3.23 -stock
Re: How to jack our cars?

When jacking under the A-Arms: Don't jack under the Balljoints (with the wheels removed)
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Old Nov 25, 2008 | 07:56 PM
  #26  
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Re: How to jack our cars?

Originally Posted by MrDude_1
i was hoping this would be a thread about how to steal a thirdgen........... lol
Yeah right.. Talking about jacking But whatever stuffs being stated the safest tip would always be placing a brick behind the wheel (should rely on the surface incline) diagonally opposite one being jacked up
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Old Jul 1, 2009 | 10:14 AM
  #27  
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From: Roxboro NC and PSL FL
Car: 88 Pontiac GTA and 4 Camaros
Engine: 5.7
Re: How to jack our cars?

Originally Posted by MrDude_1
i was hoping this would be a thread about how to steal a thirdgen........... lol
LMMFAO......Hahahaaaaaaaaa
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Old Nov 18, 2012 | 09:26 PM
  #28  
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From: Siloam Springs AR.
Car: 1998 Trans/Am, 1989 RS Camaro
Engine: LS1, LQ9 6.0
Transmission: 4L60E, 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 2.73, 2.73
Re: How to jack our cars?

Originally Posted by MrDude_1
i was hoping this would be a thread about how to steal a thirdgen........... lol
lol thats funny.

Its amazing how little this section gets used.. a post from 99 is in the middle of the page lol.
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Old Nov 19, 2012 | 06:52 PM
  #29  
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From: New Bedford MA
Car: 1988 Gta trans am
Engine: LR4 4.8
Transmission: 98-02 t56 6 speed
Axle/Gears: Bw 9 bolt (3.70’s) pbr rotors
Re: How to jack our cars?

You place the jack under the frame rails its the rails where the transmission crossmember bolts up to just forward of it thats where ur suppose to jack the car up on "don't" place the jack on the fender tab where the fender bolts into the rocker or it will get bent upwards an it will weaken the metal causing it to start to rot out.
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Old Nov 21, 2012 | 08:23 PM
  #30  
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From: Jax, FL
Car: '88 Camaro
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Axle/Gears: 7.625 10 bolt stock 3.08's
Re: How to jack our cars?

Originally Posted by Codename 47
Yep thats the best way to do it. If your car is too low to get the jack under the k frame (crossmember) just drive your front tires up on some wood or something. Thats what I do.
Yep that's what I do as well never had any problems. I place the stands for the front on the sub frame rails and for the rear I put them on the axle between the lca bracket and the brake drum. I know this goes without saying but never work on a car that's just on a jack.....
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Old Apr 25, 2013 | 10:11 AM
  #31  
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From: La Mirada, California
Car: 1991 Camaro RS
Engine: L98 350 TPI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: ZT LSD with 3.42 - LS1 brakes
Re: How to jack our cars?

I usually jack the front my the a-arm (under the spring/strut) and the rear by the axle, and jack stand in the same place...

is it bad to jack/stand from under the front coils?
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Old Apr 30, 2013 | 12:46 PM
  #32  
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Car: 1971 Camaro
Engine: 427
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Axle/Gears: 3.73
Re: How to jack our cars?

Funny, first thing I tought was it was going to be about getting a Joe Dirt Stance on the car.
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