Jack Stands

[Digger]

I went to rotate my tires today and was wondering where would be the best place to put the jack stands? I normally jack up the rear and put it on jack stands. then change the fronts one at a time. I go rear to front and X the front to rear.

[JohnC]

I put the front stands where the unibody is bolted to the front subframe, right behind the front wheel. This leaves plenty of room for the floor jack to to go in from the front, and the stands are not in the way of engine/transaxle maintenance. I paint the floor stand sweet spots on the underside of all my vehicles to save time not having to figure it out again.The rear is pretty tricky for me. First I tried jacking up the "rear axle" read very thin bar that connect the rear wheel assemblies. This just started bending so I stopped. It might not hurt it, but I didn't want to chance it. Luckily I have two floor jacks so if it is just for tire rotation and I will not be under the car I use one on each side of the rear. Right in front of the rear tire where the unibody connects to the rear suspension.

[zionzr2]

your owners manual will show you exactly where they need to go! Also the manual states back to front and front to back (No Crossing)! There has been an ongoing debate as to wether or not thats the best way, it just the way the manual states.Sorry dont have a page number.

[Digger]

Quote, originally posted by zionzr2 »your owners manual will show you exactly where they need to go! Also the manual states back to front and front to back (No Crossing)! There has been an ongoing debate as to wether or not thats the best way, it just the way the manual states.Sorry dont have a page number.I did not know the manual covered jack stands. I did know what it said about the rotation. I just don't agree with it. If you do it my way ( rotating every 5k) every tire will be in every position at least once every 20k. This rotation will also help stop cupping with AWD systems which I have.

[kcorona]

Quote, originally posted by Digger »If you do it my way ( rotating every 5k) every tire will be in every position at least once every 20k. This rotation will also help stop cupping with AWD systems which I have. Do you have non-directional tires? My Vibe's factory tires are directional. If I did it your way on my Vibe, tires would be on backwards.

[Mavrik]

Quote, originally posted by kcorona »Do you have non-directional tires? My Vibe's factory tires are directional. If I did it your way on my Vibe, tires would be on backwards. directional tires moved front to back won't change the direction... crossing them front to opposite rear will.

[AKLGT]

make sure you get your alignment checked too! i didn't do that and even though i rotated the tires, my alignment was so messed up, it didn't matter at that point!

[Mathias]

your owners manual will show you exactly where they need to go!The factory jack, yeah. Jack stands, no.I knew this.But like an idiot, I searched through the PDF of the owner's manual anyway. The only instructions are for using the factory under the pinch welds.The big deal with the jack stands is always, where do they go. Certainly not the regular jack points.#1, you'll bend the pinch welds which aren't made to rest on a flat surface.#2, You can't put the jack stands there on account there's a jack already under it.Makes sense, eh?-Mathias

[Mathias]

JohnC,Thanks for your tips.Any thoughts on where to use an hydraulic floor jack to lift the entire front or entire back of the car?TIA-Mathias

[Digger]

You are right about the directional tires. I do not have directional tires though. As for the floor jack, I made an adapter for my jack that fits around the pinch weld out of a piece of 4x4 treated lumber. With the AWD there is no place to support the rear of the car with out bending something. I suppose I could make a hub support that would cradle the rear hubs while I change the front

[JohnC]

Quote, originally posted by Mathias »Any thoughts on where to use an hydraulic floor jack to lift the entire front or entire back of the car?TIA-MathiasI use the engine subframe cross member to jack up the front of the car. Just put the floor jack right down the middle from the front of your car, about 5 feet back from the front bumper (behind the engine) you will see the crossmember. Like I posted early I havent found a good spot to lift the entire rear, if I am putting stands in the rear I put the jack just ahead of the rear subframe on the unibody frame form and the stand located on the rear subframe. Just watch for fuel, brake lines, etc. and go slow while jacking. You know all the ussual safety stuff. I try to avoid opening any of the doors of a unibody vehicle while it is on a jack or stands, as they sometimes flex quite abit.

[Mase]

There's a tow hook dead center underneath the front of the car. there's a little bulge underneath it that's designed to sit in the saddle of the jack.also in the rear, there's a metal leg that is mounted underneath the spare tire compartment. That's also designed to sit in the saddle of the floor jack.Quote, originally posted by JohnC »I use the engine subframe cross member to jack up the front of the car. Just put the floor jack right down the middle from the front of your car, about 5 feet back from the front bumper (behind the engine) you will see the crossmember. Like I posted early I havent found a good spot to lift the entire rear, if I am putting stands in the rear I put the jack just ahead of the rear subframe on the unibody frame form and the stand located on the rear subframe. Just watch for fuel, brake lines, etc. and go slow while jacking. You know all the ussual safety stuff. I try to avoid opening any of the doors of a unibody vehicle while it is on a jack or stands, as they sometimes flex quite abit.

[ToolGuy]

I use a jack stand for the rear under the trailing arm or would-be axle. For the front I use my floor jack and a block of wood under the normal jacking point while changing a tire. Found like others said, in the owners manual. The block of wood acts as a cushion so you do not crush the metal fin on the body causing rust to form. I finish that side than go to the other with my jack stand and floor jack/wood.

[UndaCuva]

Don't know if my factory tires are directional, haven't checked, but I do know they are radial tires. That means they have a steel belt in them. Rotation should only be front to back. Changing directions of radial tires creates a serious risk of explosion and early sidewall failure. I am a professional mechanic with 12 years of experience, not trying to brag, but I've changed a few thousand tires in my day.

[Digger]

In the early days of Radial tires this was a concern. That is old hat with todays tires.

[JohnC]

Quote, originally posted by Mase »There's a tow hook dead center underneath the front of the car. there's a little bulge underneath it that's designed to sit in the saddle of the jack.also in the rear, there's a metal leg that is mounted underneath the spare tire compartment. That's also designed to sit in the saddle of the floor jack.Thanks Mase, this is great info. I eyeballed the rear jacking point several times but just thought it looked too weak for that purpose. I tried it today...works great.

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[JohnC]

Quote, originally posted by Mase »There's a tow hook dead center underneath the front of the car. there's a little bulge underneath it that's designed to sit in the saddle of the jack.also in the rear, there's a metal leg that is mounted underneath the spare tire compartment. That's also designed to sit in the saddle of the floor jack.And a pic of the front jacking point location, with a big thanks to Mase.Note my dogs favorite place on the Vibe...the roadkill towhook. Every thing hangs up on that.

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[binary]

Wow, so in theory - I could have all 4 wheels up and only need two jackstands?

[Digger]

Quote, originally posted by binary »Wow, so in theory - I could have all 4 wheels up and only need two jackstands? Just don't do it on a windy day

[Digger]

I haven't tried the jack pegs yet. But I am about due for a rotation and oil change. I plan on using the back peg and jack stands where the regular car jack would go. then lift the front one side at a time.

[viberp00h]

What size jack stands are you using? I'm lifting the front end with a 15" Craftsman compact floor jack and have Craftsman 3-ton jack stands that just don't make it under the position you indicated. Do you think I should look for a taller floor jack (at the front jacking point) or shorter stands?*Edit* The stands I'm using have a minimum height of 13.5", the 2-1/4 ton stands go down to 10-7/16".

[Digger]

I ended up putting the stands under the back A arm (AWD) So the car is up on a 3 point tri pod. Two stands in the back and the floor jack on the front center. Gives you a good look at what a vibe would look like with a lift kit on it. Anyone remember the old AMC 4x4 ??

[kowell]

Sorry to bring back an old thread I bought a 2 ton hydraulic floor jack and I plan to lift the full front of the car and the full rear ( though not at the same time ) The jack points appear to be the same as the old 03-08 model but what's the best place to put the 2 stands? I'm affraid that if I place them on the side rails I'll bend them.