I use a floorjack that will fit under the front of mine. (It's a Heim-Werner of undetermined vintage, but still lifts fine. I put a rubber pad from Griot's Garage, about $10, in the saddle and really like the result.)

I have to jack the front first: jacking the rear first lowers the front to where the jack won't fit under the front bumper.

I jack the front from the center jack point, put two jackstands under the front two jackpoints between the wheels on the sides. Then I jack the rear from under the differential.

If I'm going to be under the car a while, the rear can be jacked higher than the front, since the fulcrum point of the car is higher on the front jackstands than when the wheels are on the ground. If I want maximum clearance, I jack the rear as high as it will go, put the jackstands under the rear jackpoints on the side, then jack the front higher and raise the front jackstands.

If I don't anticipate being under the car much, I'll just jack the rear to the same height as the front.

 

I just put mine on stands, and I lifted the front first, then the rear. No problems.

 

I drive mine up onto 4 blocks of wood just like "Triple H". Then I do the front first but only to lowest jack stand height. Then I do the rear to whatever height I need. Finally back to the front up to the same height as the back. This is on occasions when I need as much height as possible. Starting too high on the first go might produce a dangerous angle to work with.

 

Where exactly do you guys place the stands when lifting the front??

 

There are several options: (1) dig a small pit in the garage floor to allow for floor jack clearance, (2) stack several cats in a ramp shape, or (3) put a lot of air in the front tires to raise it for clearance...... just kidding.

All you need to do for clearance on most floor jacks is raise the front-end a tad, so lay down a 2"x10" board in any length in front of each front tire, drive up, jack up the front from the middle, put jack stands under each side in the front, remove the jack, go to the back which is already high enough, jack up the differential, and put stands under each side in the rear. To ensure the car's safe, give it a shake before crawling under it.

rossmon 1, I agree with your emergency brake comments... no need and not desirable.

 

I like the ways some of you guys are talking about where you just jack the car up from the middle but I have no clue where those points are (the front center point and the rear where the differential is). I do have a floor jack too.
I'm sure this way is much easier and sturdier than my way of jacking up each side and then putting the stands in.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by DVDoughboy
[B]I like the ways some of you guys are talking about where you just jack the car up from the middle but I have no clue where those points are (the front center point and the rear where the differential is).

 

DVDoughboy,

This is intended to be advice, not criticism or a flame.

You illustrate a good reason to buy the service manual (www.helminc.com). I realize that $60 or so seems steep for information on jacking up the car, but that is just one example of the wealth of knowledge contained in the service manual.

And $60 for the location of the jacking points would be a bargain compared to doing permanent damage by doing it wrong.

It's a $30k+ car; spend a few bucks on the manual. There may be better ways than the method in the manual, but at least the one in the book should be safe for both you and the car.

 

Red
I don't take what you say as a flame or anything like that. I don't know alot of things about my car.
I was just interested in knowing where the center points were.
I am just going to jack up my car one corner at a time.

 

My access under car:

Back car up onto ramps. Put emergency brake on.



Lift front of car with two hydraulic jacks. Let car down on two more ramps.

(sorry no picture handy for this one.)