Jack spots vs stand spot

[78Plum]

May be a stupid question, but I've read enough to be confused about where to jack the car up vs. where are good spots to have the car rest on stands. I'm about to embark on some rear brake work and know that weight of the car should be on the rear differential so the calipers can be retracted, but I obviously cannot jack the car from that point. In general, does anyone have any good tips on where to jack the car and where to place the stands to safely work on it without causing damage. We can assume 4 stands minimum to have all tires up. Pics would be helpful. (I own a '78 and figure things won't change much over model years)

[DieselSpider]

Owners manual is pretty clear that you can use a floor jack to raise the car by the center of the front cross member or the center of the rear axle/differential housing. Jack stands can be placed to either side of the jack on front cross member or rear axle after the car is raised to the desired height.

I put a piece of 2X6 with a hole in the middle of it on the jack saddle to protect the drain plug on the differential housing.

[78Plum]

Owners manual is pretty clear that you can use a floor jack to raise the car by the center of the front cross member or the center of the rear axle/differential housing. Jack stands can be placed to either side of the jack on front cross member or rear axle after the car is raised to the desired height.

I put a piece of 2X6 with a hole in the middle of it on the jack saddle to protect the drain plug on the differential housing.

And this rear placement is appropriate for rear caliper retraction?

[bluespider262]

I know this isnt by the book but Ive put stands under where the front clip rails meet the cab rails. Double boxed there. No issues. Also between control arm mounts and parking brake guides on the rear with 3" x2"x 1/4" steel to spread the load as its only single box there aND one pair of my jack stands have funny lips on the ends. For weeks/months no issues.

Don't jack from them unless you put a 3-4" wide piece of 1/4 steel between jack and rail though. But if you do that the rails shouldnt bend from the jack head. They definitely will if you don't do that.

[DieselSpider]

Owners manual is pretty clear that you can use a floor jack to raise the car by the center of the front cross member or the center of the rear axle/differential housing. Jack stands can be placed to either side of the jack on front cross member or rear axle after the car is raised to the desired height.

I put a piece of 2X6 with a hole in the middle of it on the jack saddle to protect the drain plug on the differential housing.

And this rear placement is appropriate for rear caliper retraction?

There is plenty of room between the third member and the calipers. You choose how close to put them and if at first you put them too close then raise the axle with the jack and move them the half inch or so further away needed to clear the calipers. Not really rocket science working on this quite basic 40/50 some odd years old design.

[njoconnor]

I put a piece of 2X6 with a hole in the middle of it on the jack saddle to protect the drain plug on the differential housing.

I used an old hockey puck with a hole drilled in the center..approx. 19 mm hole IIRC. Nice cushioning, and no slippage. Puck also fits nicely on the jack pads, and protects the front crossmember as well.

Neil

[KevAndAndi]

I always jack up the rear from the differential, using a piece of wood between the jack and the diff. I place the stands at either end of the axle, with small, thick pieces of carpet material between the stands and the axle, to prevent it from getting gouged.

[DieselSpider]

I always jack up the rear from the differential, using a piece of wood between the jack and the diff. I place the stands at either end of the axle, with small, thick pieces of carpet material between the stands and the axle, to prevent it from getting gouged.

Old piece of tire tread or conveyor belt works for protecting things too.

[4uall]

This might help

http://www.fiatspider.com/f15/viewtopic ... hilit=jack

[DieselSpider]

I put a piece of 2X6 with a hole in the middle of it on the jack saddle to protect the drain plug on the differential housing.

I used an old hockey puck with a hole drilled in the center..approx. 19 mm hole IIRC. Nice cushioning, and no slippage. Puck also fits nicely on the jack pads, and protects the front crossmember as well.

Neil

Like that one and it hits close to home. My dad was a engineer with Tyre Rubber and Roll which produced the official game pucks for the NHL for many years. We used to get the off-runs by the case and used them for wheels, pads, etc. Wish I had saved the off-runs of the practice pucks labled for the likes of Bobby Ore and some of the other greats when I was a kid. So what if the labels were not perfectly aligned or the vulcanizer temps were a tad off and had discolored them. They also made the Cons, Keds, Jeepers, MayWests, Military Parkers and highest quality tires/rollers available among many other items of impeccable quality.

[78Plum]

Thank you all very much for your knowledge and experience. This forum is a lifesaver!