How to jack our cars?
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Joined: Oct 2002
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From: San Luis Valley, Colorado
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

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
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 61
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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.
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 2
From: Madison, WI
Car: 1986 Camaro Z28
Engine: 400
Transmission: T5
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt Posi 3.73
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.
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.
Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 233
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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.
Member
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
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.
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 13,774
Likes: 567
From: Cincinnati, OH
Car: '90 RS
Engine: 377 LSX
Transmission: Magnum T56
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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https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...ow+to+jack+car
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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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Supreme Member
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,004
Likes: 4
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
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 878
Likes: 1
Car: 89' Iroc-Z G92
Engine: TPI 305 G92
Transmission: T-5
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.
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 878
Likes: 1
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
Supreme Member
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 3,155
Likes: 2
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).
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).
Senior Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 581
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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
Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 471
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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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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
Lockpicks : Combo List : Keepshooting.com
http://www.keepshooting.com/booksand...-car-video.htm
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Car: 89 TA
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.08
sweeeeet... err, but very wrong (bookmarks site).
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).
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
Banned
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 499
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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.
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 96
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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 !
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 !
Supreme Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 2
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?!!
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Car: 89 TA
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.08
Re: How to jack our cars?
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...
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,796
Likes: 16
From: St. Cloud, MN
Car: 1984 Trans Am
Engine: LS1383 in work
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.
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 749
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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
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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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 37
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From: Germany
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)
Re: How to jack our cars?
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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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 150
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From: Roxboro NC and PSL FL
Car: 88 Pontiac GTA and 4 Camaros
Engine: 5.7
Senior Member
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 809
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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
Senior Member

Joined: May 2011
Posts: 855
Likes: 1
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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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 93
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From: Jax, FL
Car: '88 Camaro
Engine: L03 TBI
Transmission: WC T-5
Axle/Gears: 7.625 10 bolt stock 3.08's
Re: How to jack our cars?
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.....
Senior Member
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Posts: 742
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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?
is it bad to jack/stand from under the front coils?
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Posts: 3,449
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From: Charlestown, IN
Car: 1971 Camaro
Engine: 427
Transmission: TKO600
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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