jacking up the rear

[turboaddict2]

I want to jack up just the rear end of the car so I can look at what the exhaust is hitting. Most likely the rear axle(passenger side) is getting rubbed by the pipes when going over bumps. I usually put the jack in front of the rear wheel where the jacking point is but then I don't know where I should put the jackstand.

 

[Turbo Brian]

put the jack under the center of the differential. (i usually center the jack under the swaybar and lift with that but some dont like doing that. ive never had problems). then put the stands in front of the rear wheels under the frame where you've been putting jack previously.

 

[1970gsx]

What Turbo Brian said.

 

[turboaddict2]

Ok I tried jacking up the rear today and I actually got scared. I rolled the jack from behind the car and placed it so I can jack the rear axle, not the sway bar. So when as I was jacking the rear up the car was swaying side to side everytime it went up . Thats why I got scared and didn't want the car to fall off to the side or something. When I placed the jack so that the handle was close to the exhaust pipes the car would move to towards me everytime it went up...so I had to lower the car again. Do you come in with the jack from the side of the rear near the exhaust pipes or come in straight from the rear of the car to jack up the rear axle?

 

[Turbo Brian]

go in straight from the rear. just put it under the sway bar to keep things simple. the car will move around slightly. its not like a hydraulic lift that raises it in one smoothe motion. you're using a normal floor jack right, and not the spare tire jack?

 

[G McCall]

Sounds like You need a more heavy duty jack.
I have a 3 ton floor jack and I lift either end of the car by placing the jack under the rear pumpkin (under the sway bar) or at the center of the A frame in the front. I can lift either end of the car"way up there", and place my jack stands where I want to. The car definately does not sway with this floor jack. (Over the years it seems to be getting heavier though....

 

[turboaddict2]

Yeah I'm using a normal floor jack and not the spare tire jack. I have one of those MVP superlite brand jacks. I think its 2.5 ton rating and the circle base is not as wide. I saw a 3 ton jack at Sears with a really big circle base(what do you call that thing?) and most likely I'm gonna get that one

 

[Turbo Brian]

i have a craftsman (sears) 3 ton jack with a nice big lift pad (the circle thing). works great and the large pad gives extra stability.

 

[1of1035]

You can just put a small piece of 2x4 on the lift pad and it might not sway as bad

 

[turboaddict2]

yeah i did that and it still swayed everytime the car went up. I even jacked it slowly too. Looks like i'm gonna have to get that big sears jack

 

[Red Regal T]

You should be able to pick up a two ton floor jack in your neighborhood for about $55 or $60. I got one over 10 years ago from Harbor Freight and I've used it a lot with no problems. As stated before though, my car keeps getting heavier every year.