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Proper/Safe Use of Jack Stands

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Don Parrish View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Don Parrish Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Proper/Safe Use of Jack Stands
    Posted: 14 Jan. 2019 at 11:20pm
I have two pairs of 3 ton jack stands. Would like to get the wheels off the floor on the CJ2A (and the Corvette at a later time). The paper on one of the pairs reads, "Use as matched pair to support one end of a vehicle only."
Had I not read that I would have put the four under the frame and moved along with my work. Now I'm concerned there may be a good point here.

Is that a correct and safe directive or just the lawyers? Seems to me the dynamics of the vehicle level and not raised on one end would be more safe.

A level concrete floor and wood blocks under the wheels if I need to go under the vehicle would seem safe to me.


Any thoughts or experiences out there to share one way or the other.


Don Parrish
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WeeWilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jan. 2019 at 11:29pm
I understand it as not mixing types of jack stands on one end of a vehicle meaning you could use one type on the front and another type on the back of the vehicle.

   Jim
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mark W. Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 14 Jan. 2019 at 11:34pm
I believe the problem can come when using something like a floor jack with wheels on it to jack up the opposite end you already have on stands. As the Jack can roll if the vehicle were to be pushed on and the jack stands over center the jack would allow it to move and fall off the stands.

If you can jack up both ends of the vehicle level and place the stands with no lean then I would think it would be safe.

I have a number of times ran a vehicle up on ramps (the type with a low spot for the tire to settle into) and then gone back and jacked up the rear axle.

BUT this is only anecdotal information about something I have done in the past. Ultimately any decision is yours.


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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike F Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan. 2019 at 2:54am
I never read that on my jack stands. But then since I have limited roofs. Some things get left out in rain. Things like warning labels are not printed on material meant to be left out in the rain. They don’t survive it. 
I needed to get my tires off and down to the shop to have the new ones mounted. I also have 2 sets of jack stands to I raised one end with my floor jack and set the stands under the axles. I let it down on to the jack stands and took my floor jack around to the other end. I then jacked it up and slipped the the other set of stands under that axle. This is where it got a little tricky. I found that when letting the jack down if the stand wasn’t right under the center of the axle tube the jack stand would want to tip to center itself under the axle.  Since I am now endowed with a great deal of common sense earned through surviving uncounted self inflicted disasters. I recognized that this tipping of the jack stands created an unsafe situation. So I simply adjusted the stands as I let the jack down. Once I had it sitting on the stands and before I took the wheels off I tried to shove it over. Try as I might I couldn’t get that thing to fall over. Feeling pretty safe about it I went ahead and took the tires off. Luckily there were no earthquakes or tsunamis over the 24 hours it took to get the tires back on. 

So I can say with confidence that as long as the jack stands are probably set under the axles they will hold a Jeep in the air.  At least for 24 hours. Still, care must be taken while lifting and lowering so you don’t knock things over with the jack.  Floor jacks are supposed to roll as they are going up and down. If yours is like mine (Chinese made and mistreated) it can’t be depended on to do so. So watch out. If the jack doesn’t roll like it’s supposed to it can knock the other end off the stands. And if your jack stands are like mine they have a saddle at the top. This saddle is meant to capture the round axle tube such that it won’t slip off. It’s not meant to be used on something flat like the bottom of the frame. Found that out one day by accident. 

After I spent 45 minutes typing this out on my phone I went back and re-read the original post.  I wonder if some genius thought he figured out a way to support both ends with one set. Got it up there and all balanced out. At least for a little while


Edited by Mike F - 15 Jan. 2019 at 3:02am
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Stev Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan. 2019 at 3:08am
Don,

Assuming you are just putting the Cj2a on jack stands for the winter.  I did this job about two weeks ago.  I used two sets of Harbor Freight 3 ton jack stand sets.  They are in place under the shackle plates and are set at the first click from the bottom (in my case).  The tires are about 1/2" off of the ground and can be turned by hand.  I lifted the Jeep with a floor jack under the differentials. As Mike indicated the articulation and off set differentials makes this challenging - be safe.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Unkamonkey Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan. 2019 at 3:15am
I've used jacks for years and all I can say is that you need to be smarter than them.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ol' Unreliable Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan. 2019 at 3:56am
Originally posted by Mike F Mike F wrote:

I wonder if some genius thought he figured out a way to support both ends with one set. Got it up there and all balanced out. At least for a little while


This is my suspicion, too.  I also wonder if that guy later won a Darwin Award.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike F Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan. 2019 at 4:11am
Originally posted by Ol' Unreliable Ol' Unreliable wrote:

Originally posted by Mike F Mike F wrote:

I wonder if some genius thought he figured out a way to support both ends with one set. Got it up there and all balanced out. At least for a little while


This is my suspicion, too.  I also wonder if that guy later won a Darwin Award.

Looking back, I suppose I spent the first 20 years or more thinking I was immortal. The laws of physics didn’t apply to me. Somewhere along the way I learned, and luckily I’m still here to tell you, that gravity works every time. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Ol' Unreliable Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan. 2019 at 4:20am
I don't recall ever thinking I was immortal, I just didn't want to stop what I was doing to take the time to ensure my safety.  I think "Impatience" was my middle name.  Embarrassed
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mike F Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan. 2019 at 5:12am
Originally posted by Ol' Unreliable Ol' Unreliable wrote:

I don't recall ever thinking I was immortal, I just didn't want to stop what I was doing to take the time to ensure my safety.  I think "Impatience" was my middle name.  Embarrassed

It’s more of a lack of realization of mortality. 
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 63owner Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan. 2019 at 2:00pm
I trick I learned many, many years ago from my high school shop teacher -- Anytime after rolling onto ramps or placing jack stands, get a firm grip on your vehicle and shake it as hard as you can. It's much better to have it fall when you're beside it than under it. The movement you make while beside it will probably be more than what you will make while under it, so this "safety check" is something I do every time, even if it's something as simple as changing oil.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jeeper50 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan. 2019 at 4:00pm
Originally posted by Unkamonkey Unkamonkey wrote:

I've used jacks for years and all I can say is that you need to be smarter than them.

X2   the key word here is common sense. lots of college books leave this out! 

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote oldtime Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan. 2019 at 4:27pm
Best stand location depends on why your putting it up on stands.
By far the most solid and safe position is to set the spring plates down onto 2 or 4 large square hardwood blocks. 
But that certainly cannot work if your changing out one or both axle assemblies.

Changing or fully suspending either of the leaf spring / axle assemblies requires you to support the frame.
Supporting the frame can be done with 4 jack stands if the jack stand saddle is flat at 1-3/4" wide.
But when using jack stands under frame it is certainly best to only support a single end of jeep at one time.

Over the years I acquired two sets of the typical 3 ton jack stands.
Both pair had a wide enough section to use them up against the frame.
And I tried using 4 of them to support the frame when assembling a new jeep from scratch.
I sold all 4 of those stands in favor of solid wood blocks and a pair of cast iron screw jacks.

If you do support the frame with metal stands be sure to place a thin rubber between frame and the stand.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Nothing Special Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan. 2019 at 5:34pm
Good judgement comes from experience.

Experience comes from bad judgement!

(Of course experience can also be gained from others.  That's usually less painful than acquiring it on your own.)
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Greaser007 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan. 2019 at 7:23pm
nothing special:
   Sounds like the story of my youth "judgmental decisions" led to broken bones & stitches. But what great experiences to share after the learning-curve.

   Whatever the lift mechanism, I get the jeebies until I have 4-wood rounds under the vehicle to catch it in the event-of _ _ _ _ whatever.
   There are no directions but I use the rule that the wood round diameter is to be greater than the height - for stability and reassurance.

   The jack stand reminds me of a residential bracing wall. To be stable, the height of the wall must not exceed 3-times the width of the base. And that is with both ends of the base of the wall securely held-down with anchor-bolts.

   As Mark mentioned, things Shift ! and it really is amazing how much things can move. (or get spit-out suddenly without warning). metal-to-metal slick.

   I like the rubber trick to prevent slippage.

   Here I am sitting comfortably on the sofa with the fireplace insert percolating, and I should be out in the cold clammy shop tinkering. Ha

    Len

Edited by Greaser007 - 15 Jan. 2019 at 7:46pm
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote ggordon49 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan. 2019 at 8:55pm
Four legs are better than three! WinkLOL

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote WeeWilly Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan. 2019 at 9:12pm
I'm with "oldtime"  on this. I have never owned any jack stands and have used hard wood blocks of different sizes to meet the need, that is  after I got smart enough to quit using concrete blocks and bumper jacks.   I really don't think I personally  would feel safe under a vehicle on jack stands.

    Jim
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote cpt logger Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 15 Jan. 2019 at 9:54pm
I have about 12 of the cast iron screw jacks. The smallest of which is rated at 25 tons. If they can hold up a house, which is their original purpose, they can hold up my rigs.

I used about 26 of these to jack up my first house so that I could pour a foundation under it. They worked well for that. They also work well for jacking up any rig. I also put wooden rounds under the rig "just in case".

Like 63owner, I use the "shake test" every time. I am a big fellow & if I can not shake the rig off of the jacks/blocks, nothing I do under the rig can topple it off of the jacks either.
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