jack stand placement saftey question

[cliffish]

I am doing the rear springs on m 05, due to the 4 post width I cannot get the jack stands to sit right under the frame rails. Can I put them under each rear body mount? it is welded to the frame but obviously a weld is not the same as a solid rail? any thoughts?

 

[JamesAndTheSahara]

I am doing the rear springs on m 05, due to the 4 post width I cannot get the jack stands to sit right under the frame rails. Can I put them under each rear body mount? it is welded to the frame but obviously a weld is not the same as a solid rail? any thoughts?

Why can’t the jack stands sit under the frame rails? Have a picture?

 

[cliffish]

it is on a 4 post lift and the frame rail is inside the rail of the 4 post lift that you drive on. so there is not a complete width of surface area for the stand to sit flat on

 

[cliffish]

here is a photo of where I want to place the stand and the next is why I can't put under the frame rail

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I am not understanding the second photo and why you believe you can't position the jack stand under the frame. That jack is wide enough on top when rotated the correct direction to safely support the frame.

 

[cliffish]

No Jerry the base is almost square so no matter what way I turn it there are 2 legs that won't fit on the ramp of the lift

 

[cliffish]

the first photo shows where I can place the jack stand on the frame body mount is that safe?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

No Jerry the base is almost square so no matter what way I turn it there are 2 legs that won't fit on the ramp of the lift

On the ramp of the lift? What? What is this lift you are talking about? That photo doesn't show enough to make it clear what you're talking about.

 

[cliffish]

yes on the ramp of the 4 post lift, the second photo is the bottom of the jack stand where only 1 side of the jack stand is on the lift ramp (or runway). if I place the the stand under the body mount (first) photo I can fit the entire base of the jack stand on the lift ramp.

 

[cliffish]

this photo

might show it better

 

[PCO6]

A lot of 4 post lifts come with a metal "bridge" that crosses from one ramp to the other. They're hand for doing transmission work for example. It would be pretty easy to make one.

 

[cliffish]

I have one but it is a tray so it is not even from ramp to ramp, the frame rails are positioned so that two legs of the stand land on the ramp and 2 legs are off. That is why I am asking if I can place the stand where the body mount is?

 

[Jerry Bransford]

It's hard to say how the jacks could be positioned without seeing everything. From the photos that four post lift appears to be making it tough to support the Jeep properly and safely by the frame.

 

[PCO6]

Cliff - I can see your tray in the post #10 photo. A bridge would be similar but longer, more substantial and sit on top of the ramps. I've never put jack stands under body mounts - frame only. That would make me a bit nervous even if your stands are fully supported.

 

[cliffish]

I can safely place the base of the jack stand on the lift if I position the top of under this body mount....can this part hold the back of the jeep up if done on both sides? this is not my first choice but if it is strong enough to do?

 

[PCO6]

You'd be relying on the bracket welds and a rubber bushings vs. the bottom side of the frame (which I'm sure would be your first choice). I'm not saying it's never been done ... but I wouldn't do it.

Regarding "bridges" one of brothers has a 4 poster and 2 Minis (plus some other old cars). He built bridges so he could put the 2 minis on the lift "sideways". It looks pretty funny ... especially with a mint '66 Ford Country Squire underneath!

 

[JamesAndTheSahara]

If you don't have a bridge or a suitable jack stand to support the frame with, I'd be underneath the TJ on the ground with front tires on jacking up the rear of the frame to do it. Not ideal since you already have a 4 post jack, but a solution nevertheless.

Oh yeah I wouldn't even think of supporting the weight of the TJ on the welded on body mount brackets. All it takes is one improper jack point and you to be under the vehicle to end it all. Stay safe this Christmas, use the factory jack points.

 

[cliffish]

Well thanks for the replies....I went on to removing the rear shocks (the TJ was properly supported by the axle) and snapped the first upper bolt I tried to get out. The bolts on this thing seem very brittle compared to other car I have worked on. I think this project just got out sourced to a mechanic next week. I don't see how to extract the broken bolt more less have the tools to do it. I bet the 4 upper bolts snap when removing. I did spray pb blaster on a few weeks ago on them.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I did spray pb blaster on a few weeks ago on them.

PB-Blaster is only marginally better than WD-40, I consider both ineffective at that job. The only commercial products that actually work well as penetrants are Kroil, Liquid Wrench (those two are very close in terms of effectiveness) followed by Break-Free.

 

[Bird]

I used Kroil 2 days prior to removing my old shocks.
But must admit, the rears are definitely not user friendly.