Hi

I already started a thread because I want to change my steering linkage.
Now I jacked up the front in the middle of the axle using my jack. But I can't get it up enough that I could put my jack stands under the frame (parallel to the door). I could put it under the spring respectively where the spring sits. Will that work as well? And where do I have to put it exactly? The part where the spring sits has kind of a round "bump" (don't know the right word in English). Can I put the jack stand there exactly or is there another, better point somewhere? I'm not that good at understanding descriptions. So if anyone has a picture :-)

And last but not least... can I leave the jack under the middle of the axle (K-member, I guess...) over night?

Thanks a lot!

 

You should be able to put stands on the front K member horns right on the swaybar bushing mounts, Leave the jack under if you want.....

 

Okay, so without a picture... I'm not sure where you mean.

Can I see the point in the attached picture?

 

Oh, I've found two other pictures here on thirdgen.org. Here I can see that it's possible to put the jackstands under the springs...? But where exactly?

 

Here......

 

I would suggest using ramps instead of stands, so the suspension is at the correct ride height when you go to try to align everything.

 

I have to get that done until Tuesday morning.

Ramps? But like that I won't be able to take off the wheels...?

But the alignment seems to be the problem there. So actually I shouldn't use both the middle of the K-member and the swaybar bushing mounts to jack up the car? So then where else? Still use the A-arms? But all I have to align is the height of the center link. And I guess, if I use two jack stands under the swaybar bushings, the car should be evenly jacked up to set the center link parallel to the chassis?

Problem with ramps is, I can't move my car because the battery is low because of the minus temperatures here. I'll have to wait for a friend until Monday evening and actually I wanted to do most of the work tomorrow.

 

Thanks for the picture, now it's plain to see. These points don't look that sturdy, though... but as I'm a beginner...

 

Been using that point on any vehicle for over 30 years without issue.....

 

I strongly recommend that you find someone local that has experience to show you in person. Preferably a mechanic that knows what they're doing and not the guy next door. Are you on a level concrete floor? Are you lifting it near any walls? What kind of equipment are you using? There are just too many variables to get recommendations online and be safe imo.

BTW, if your battery is low at minus temps, my first priority would be to charge that up so it doesn't freeze.

 

Okay, hm, would you take the battery out of the car to charge it?

And I've also heard that low batteries can explode if you put the minus from another battery (or a charger?) to the low battery because of hydrooxygen the battery could produce. Is that a risk?

By the way... used the bushings of the swaybar and it works finde. Did have a hard time to get the splint out of the castle nuts and on one tie rod end I even had to break it close to the nut. It wouldn't move a millimeter.

 

The only time a possible battery explosion can occur during jumping or charging is if you hook the jumper cables up backward causing sparks, Hook a charger to the battery first then turn the charger on...... MOST importantly turn the charger off after charging BEFORE removing the charger leads from the battery, Charging produces gases from the battery vent that can ignite if a spark is produced from removing charging leads while the charger is on.

If the battery is really low charge at a lower 2 amp setting for a couple hours then move up to a 10 amp charge for a couple hours then check.....

 

Should I take the battery out of the car respectively should I at least take it off the car's circuit while charging?

 

If charged as I explained it shouldn't hurt a thing leaving it hooked up, If it makes you feel better unhook it.....