How to set the jack stands?

[JOKER M1]

Yeah, I am guilty of setting them on the Jacking rails as well. But it makes sense to spread them out as far as possible for stability.

I will most certainly contact BMR ASAP, but hell, it looks so Kuhl to use the rails.

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[JOKER M1]

Steeda’s picture :

WD

Yeah, I was looking for that exact same thing

 

[JetGray_Mach1]

Steeda’s picture :

WD

Yikes LOL, sure it may work, but I noticed when its towards the center its not as stable. Think of a seesaw.

 

[SheepDog]

Steeda’s picture :

WD

Im not climbing around under that teeter totter

 

[murick]

Steeda’s picture :

WD

Yes, that is what I thought as well. What is however not obvious from the picture, the weight distribution. It could as well be just 150 kg more in front (relative to the rear jack stands) to hold the guy, but the it would also mean that almost all weight of the car rests on the rear (almost middle ) stands, while the front one are just supporting remaining 150 kg.

 

[SheepDog]

Why didn't Ford then put the jack points/Pinch weld locations 2 feet apart from each other? hmm...

 

[JetGray_Mach1]

We could do a Free body diagram and study the forces. The Center of Gravity force vector from the car (55/45?) would be basically between the 2 jack stands. Yes it will hold fine but when you shake the car the weight is more eager to seesaw since the Jack stands are closer to the fulcrum center. Not saying its wrong it just feels more stable when set apart.

 

[SheepDog]

We could do a Free body diagram and study the forces. The Center of Gravity force vector from the car (55/45?) would be basically between the 2 jack stands. Yes it will hold fine but when you shake the car the weight is more eager to seesaw since the Jack stands are closer to the fulcrum center. Not saying its wrong it just feels more stable when set apart.

Probably fine for an oil change, but Im sure not pulling the transmission or dropping a subframe, or cranking on bolts with the jackstands sitting on the jacking rails

 

[JOKER M1]

Not disagreeing with anyone but for what it’s worth

 

[murick]

Not disagreeing with anyone but for what it’s worth

I believe the guy from BMR was not wrong either . I do not believe the jacking rails are *strictly* for jacking the car up. But I would tend to agree that they are not optimal and in many cases using the regular jacking points should work at least as good, or better.

I guess my initial misunderstanding was that the jacking rails were supposed to ease the choice where to put the jack stands (or eventually to protect the pinch welds), but as it turned out, they made the choices pretty limited too.

 

[tobaccokid]

I'd only use jackstands that provide a flat mounting surface to match the flat mounting surface of a chassis rail on any car. A curved mounting surface is only useful for supporting a curved surface like a solid rear axle tube or a narrow component of a front suspension member.

I wouldn't get under a car on a million dollar bet if it was supported by jack stands sitting on grass.
How anyone could think placing a narrow leg structure on soft soil is unfathonable. If no alternative using very large thick plywood squares or steel sheets might suffice - if deperate and no alternative.

 

[Rapid Red]

Either way, I would be ‘very‘ careful with jack stands on grass …

WD

Yep! no kidding, that is so ridiculous I can't find the words, and see NO reason to jack the car to clean wheels

After the damn thing falls off the stand, severs or crushes his stupid leg..... The rest of us will have to put up with stupid yellow lawyer stickers like found on ladders.


What is in the water that is causing such thinking?

 

[murick]

I'd only use jackstands that provide a flat mounting surface to match the flat mounting surface of a chassis rail on any car. A curved mounting surface is only useful for supporting a curved surface like a solid rear axle tube or a narrow component of a front suspension member.

That would be my choice too, but for some reason I did not find any jack stands with the flat profile forks. The other thing complicating the stuff is the fact that the underbody where the jacking rails are mounted is tilted a bit too, so the rails will not fit even into the flat heads either.

 

[Egparson202]

jack the car up using the jacking rails. Put the jackstands on the jack points/pinch welds, not on the jacking rails. Don't do any of this on grass.

This nails it.

OP - By following these principles & taking your time the jack stands you have will be fine. Your question and the ensuing discussion were helpful. Thanks.

 

[dbtgt]

That would be my choice too, but for some reason I did not find any jack stands with the flat profile forks. The other thing complicating the stuff is the fact that the underbody where the jacking rails are mounted is tilted a bit too, so the rails will not fit even into the flat heads either.

I use rubber jack stand pucks (I have various sizes and types). They conform somewhat to the shape of the jack stand saddle and the chassis point on the car. It makes for a very stable setup when the stands are on a hard, flat surface (like a concrete floor).

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