Jackstands.

[20incher]

So just curious how many actually use the sides of the car where the book says its "alright" to jack up on (points "C" on page 16 if you have the haynes book). Of course they are talking about using the tool kit provided with the car, but if i wanted to use a floor jack, wouldnt that just completly demolish and push up the cars underbody? Is their a brace i could buy that would help support a floor jack underneath the side panels? Thanks in advance
-James Elkins

[jnscott]

depends on where you are working. I put my rear stands at the body connector for the rear trailing arms.

[WIWhite87]

I've had no problems on our Toyota MR2 using the signified jacking points, though I tend to use the center front and motor mount in the rear for most lifting. I will however use the side ones when lifting the car high enough for putting in the engine due to the leverage factor. Don't go too nuts on a rusted out car, but ours seems light enough and well engineered enough to support itself there.

Our '99 Saturn seems to be VERY wimpy on the side rail area that's indicated. I did bend the jack point just lifting it as indicated on there.

[seven_mgte]

Same with me, I have had good luck with the specified points. Don't try this on a volkswagen tho, they bend like silly putty,

[mr2greasemonkey]

use a block of 2x4 on the jack pad, so you dont bend the panel.

[Nepherim]

You can also use point in the center of the car: wiki.

[Weasy2k]

Originally Posted by seven_mgte

Same with me, I have had good luck with the specified points. Don't try this on a volkswagen tho, they bend like silly putty,

soo true! SO TRUE (i workw ith VW's 40 hours a week :P )

WHen working on cars with jackstands i always throw the rims/wheels under the body of the car...JUST to be safe incase something happens with the jackstands at least it will fall on the rims....

"but my rims are nice"
is the comment i hear alot
second to this
"but wont that bend the body of the car?

I wont say anything to those comments....

YOUR LIFE matters more then yuor car....

[TheAmazingDave]

^No shit. If your car falls on you, you won't be around to enjoy it, or the rims. It's a lose-lose situation.

[V6'er]

I have blocks of 2x4 cut to fit into my jack stands. This spreads out the load over about 4" and I never bend the crimp. I put the blocks perpendicular to the yoke so that they can rotate as the car is jacked, and the yoke is plenty wide enough to cover the area should the block break.

[Weasy2k]

wow thats a cool idea v6'er...
i have tons of cut up 2x4's that i use like you do above i never put metal on metal