Where to put a floor jack and jackstands?

[jonnycat]

Hello,

My FSM (99 Cherokee SE 4WD) tells me I can lift along the unibody frame rail or on the back axle (but then it also says not to life the vehicle with a floor jack under an axle tube).


I tried on the back sub-frame rail, but the springs pushed the back tires back down on the ground even as high as I could put the floor jack. I am also leary of this location as my floor jack looks like it is going to bend the thin uni-body frame material if I support weight on it.

So, as I don't get under a lifted car without first setting it down on jackstands, this leaves me wondering what to do.

So, where do you,
1.) Lift with a floor jack, and then
2.) Put the jackstands? (front and back).
Thanks for any help on this.

 

[IntrepidXJ]

i have always lifted from the axles.......it's not going to hurt them

 

[baseballneal86]

On the rear I put the jack under the axle differential, then put jack stands under the axle tubes.

For the front I put the jack right next to the pumpkin, about in the middle of the axle. Then stick the stands under the axle tubes just like the rear.

 

[UNCC_99XJ]

i have always lifted from the axles.......it's not going to hurt them

X2. Even got a special attachment for the floor jack at my dads that's meant for SUV's and Trucks with solid axles and makes it a lot safer.

 

[Boatwrench]

The key is not on the axle tubes. It's always ok to put the floor jack under the differential front or rear. On the front axle I also use the LCA mounts.

 

[jonnycat]

The key is not on the axle tubes. It's always ok to put the floor jack under the differential front or rear. On the front axle I also use the LCA mounts.

Thanks, Boat, and everyone else also.

You bring up the discrepancy I was seeing in the FSM, namely, the picture shows the rear axle tube as being a place for the floor jack, but the words say not to.

As far as the front differential goes, how can you lift the front from that; it's not located in the midline of the vehicle like the rear differential is?

 

[Rod Knee]

For the front I put the floor jack under the diff. Since the front diff is off-center I simultaneously (or nearly simultaneously) lift with a Hi-Lift jack on tghe passenger side to keep driver and passenger side equal height. Of course you need an aftermarket bumper or a bumper attachment to do this.

 

[streetpirate]

can the floor jack harm axle tubes? ive always put mine right next to the front pumpkin also

 

[ehall]

the wheels are attached to the axle and the wheels hold the car up...

 

[IntrepidXJ]

can the floor jack harm axle tubes? ive always put mine right next to the front pumpkin also

i say no.......i think when i drag the tubes over rocks, that would be much worse than jacking on them.....

 

[SanDiegoXJ]

I think the axle tube warning is more of CYA thing than anything else. Most of those tubes are just pressed in and spot welded in place. I can't imagine one coming loose and falling out of the diff while lifting a car...but hey, you never know. =)

 

[600dollarxj]

If the jack reaches, I'll jack at any point... haven't hurt anything yet!

 

[lawsoncl]

I think the warning about not jacking on the tube, is the risk of the jack slipping off the tube - especially if you're using the stock jack that comes with the vehicle. A decent floor jack should be just fine. I usually jack under the pumpkin, and set the axle back down on jack stands under the tubes out near the tires. I also toss the tire half under the edge of the vehicle when I take it off, just in case it slips off.

 

[XCastleXJ]

I think the warning about not jacking on the tube, is the risk of the jack slipping off the tube - especially if you're using the stock jack that comes with the vehicle. A decent floor jack should be just fine. I usually jack under the pumpkin, and set the axle back down on jack stands under the tubes out near the tires. I also toss the tire half under the edge of the vehicle when I take it off, just in case it slips off.

X2

be carefull if your using a small area to jack on the tube (or small jack stand area). most floor jacks and stands ive seen usually have a large enough area that it shouldnt be too much of an issue though.

either way, better safe than sorry. i dont mess around when it comes to elevating heavy things that will be right above me

 

[cherokeedriver420]

I say if you can't figure out how to jack up your vehicle, you have no bussiness getting under it anyway.