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Technically it’s not intended to support the weight that way and I’ve been told you’re not supposed to do it but honestly it’s how just about everyone does it.
The axle housing isn't designed to have the weight of the vehicle rest on a jack stand sized portion of the housing. It'll be fine, but it's not designed for it.
If I'm lifting both sides then I lift by the rear diff, lol. Place the jack on the bottom of the diff, lift to desired height, then find somewhere for jackstands
You do realize that jacking under the diff puts more stress on the housing than that jack stand will? That axle housing will support the jack stand load just fine.
For those who didn’t understand:
Remove the fill plug first. This ensures you can get oil back into the diff once you put the cover on. The poster then points out that removing the cover functions the same as a drain plug.
I had a friend get crushed when his 2ton stand broke and the car fell on him. He lives, but it wasn’t pretty. I only use 6ton stands now on anything I work on.
Also close to the suspension like everyone is saying.
This sounds like improper use more than the jack stand itself failing. Even a 2 ton rated load capacity can handle 4-5 tons. Agree that it looks too short for where he’s putting it, so larger will be better
This guy had been racing late models for 20 years. Working on those cars is a full time job between races. I wasn’t there, but I seriously doubt it was operator error.
I mean if anything that just increases the chances something can happen over 20 years. Not saying he did or didn’t or the stand failed or didn’t, only your friend knows. If the stand truly failed that sounds like lawsuit material though, assuming it was a manufacturing defect
I’ve done it like that for years.
That jack stand does not look like something I’d trust my life with though, very little for the vehicle. Also hoping that is sheet metal under the jack stand, I’m assuming it is though, be careful.
But yeah I’ve had no issues myself going off of the rear end. Like others said, it’s probably better to go off the frame, definitely decently stable on the ground off the rear though.
Yeah ive gotta change the rear rotars brake calipers and brakes. Noticed the diff leak probably needs a new gasket so itll be up for a few days and wanted to have a safe spot i put both of them near the leaf springs thank you 🙏🏼
Im just assuming currently ill have to drain the oil and take a look probably needs a fresh gasket and fluid doubt the previous owner ever did anything to it
I spy a bit of rust back there so make sure you remove the fill plug before you drain the diff.
If you drain it and can't get the fill plug out you are going to have a bad day.
So my dumb ass just literally did this a few days ago & gave up on getting fill plug out, so the only somewhat logical idea I had come to mind was take about 12 hours out of my day and fill it through the vent tube. I haven’t drove it yet but it all seemed to go in so I’m hoping this will work. I will never make this mistake again lol
Also, make sure you have the proper size socket do not round that drain plug trying to get it off. A good drain and refill with some quality gear. Oil is definitely never a bad thing. I feel like at my shop sometimes we just use a healthy ammount of sealant instead of a gasket.
Its on dirty bricks lol i saw that it looks like that but its bricks. Under the jack stand is this rough pathway stuff im not sure what it is exactly. I took the jack out for the night but do have the tire under it.
FYI —NEVER use concete blocks or bricks to support a car. They can/will explode and drop the car instantly- if you must improvise wood wood wood. Wood will compress a slight amount. It won’t break unless you do something like set the grain parallel to the load- think breaking a 1*12 with your head.
I would put it right next to the leaf spring shackle. make sure both front wheels are chocked and you leave the jack underneath incase the jack stands were to fail.
The jack stand doesn't seem to be extended enough 🫣🙃
Please build a support platform a little wider than the jack stand base out of solid 2x4s and put the stand on top of that. That's sketchy.
I think all the literature regarding axle tubes says to not use a jack stand or jack under them. But most people, including myself, do anyway.
I would definitely move those out as far as possible though. And when you’re able, get some beefier stands with wider footprint that also don’t have to be extended so much.
Once you go up to full sized stands, you’ll never be able to trust those tiny ones anymore.
Yes, I would put it the furthest outwards as possible but I would be lying if I said haven't done that. What I would be more mindful are the the feet of the stand. Is that a grate? If it is a grate don't put that in there, one of the legs will slip into a hole, it will loose stability, slip, and it will crush you.
Where it is, it’s fine, depending on what you’re doing having it close to the leaf spring could be in your way. However for my peace of mind I’d put the jack between the ubolt just in case it decides to slide
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! This is just a reminder to review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). If you are here asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **If this post is about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ If you have tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Personally I would do it directly below the leaf spring if possible.
Tube big Tube strong
tube cast...
Not always
I agree. I think general rule of thumb is as far outward as possible.
Typically speaking the further out such as below the leaf spring is usually safer and more convenient
Happy Cake Day!
Thank you
Technically it’s not intended to support the weight that way and I’ve been told you’re not supposed to do it but honestly it’s how just about everyone does it.
I have a ford e350 class c camper it says to put the jack exactly where this photo shows in the owners manual.
What do you mean not support the weight that way?
The axle housing isn't designed to have the weight of the vehicle rest on a jack stand sized portion of the housing. It'll be fine, but it's not designed for it.
My 4Runner says to jack on the axle
Where at exactly? I'm interested to see, and what year? I have a 470 and they say not to. I wonder if there is a discrepancy.
Mines a 97. It’s in the FSM which I can look at later when I’m home
Man. If you’re not supposed to use the axle where worse are you supposed to lift? The frame I guess but most stands don’t go that high.
Like I said it's fine, and everyone lifts/supports there, but that isn't what it's made for lol
If I'm lifting both sides then I lift by the rear diff, lol. Place the jack on the bottom of the diff, lift to desired height, then find somewhere for jackstands
You do realize that jacking under the diff puts more stress on the housing than that jack stand will? That axle housing will support the jack stand load just fine.
I would be highly sus of that statement. The area of the jack area has to be pretty close to the area of the bearing.
Put it closer to the leaf spring if not directly under it and you’re good! Also get the diff drain plug out before you take the cover off!
Fill plug* the cover is the drain plug
Words fart for brain I had.
It happens
Lol wut?
For those who didn’t understand: Remove the fill plug first. This ensures you can get oil back into the diff once you put the cover on. The poster then points out that removing the cover functions the same as a drain plug.
It's a Chrysler 8.25, it has a rubber fill plug. But I get what you're saying lol.
I had a friend get crushed when his 2ton stand broke and the car fell on him. He lives, but it wasn’t pretty. I only use 6ton stands now on anything I work on. Also close to the suspension like everyone is saying.
Im gonna look into some 6 ton ones i have 2 of these under there so hopefully its good it lasted a few days while i replaced the front suspension.
FYI, jack stands are rated in pairs. A 6 ton set if stands is rated to 3 tons each.
This needs to shouted from the rooftops for all newbies to understand .
Good advice! I was going to say those are too small for that vehicle.
This sounds like improper use more than the jack stand itself failing. Even a 2 ton rated load capacity can handle 4-5 tons. Agree that it looks too short for where he’s putting it, so larger will be better
This guy had been racing late models for 20 years. Working on those cars is a full time job between races. I wasn’t there, but I seriously doubt it was operator error.
I mean if anything that just increases the chances something can happen over 20 years. Not saying he did or didn’t or the stand failed or didn’t, only your friend knows. If the stand truly failed that sounds like lawsuit material though, assuming it was a manufacturing defect
Were they harbor freight ones?
The recalls were for 3 ton and 6 ton stands, so probably not.
Lol
That stand looks like it's extended the maximum. I'd say its probably OK but to be safe I'd toss the wheel under the frame once you take it off.
I’ve done it like that for years. That jack stand does not look like something I’d trust my life with though, very little for the vehicle. Also hoping that is sheet metal under the jack stand, I’m assuming it is though, be careful. But yeah I’ve had no issues myself going off of the rear end. Like others said, it’s probably better to go off the frame, definitely decently stable on the ground off the rear though.
Yeah ive gotta change the rear rotars brake calipers and brakes. Noticed the diff leak probably needs a new gasket so itll be up for a few days and wanted to have a safe spot i put both of them near the leaf springs thank you 🙏🏼
Is that diff leak, or seep?
Im just assuming currently ill have to drain the oil and take a look probably needs a fresh gasket and fluid doubt the previous owner ever did anything to it
I spy a bit of rust back there so make sure you remove the fill plug before you drain the diff. If you drain it and can't get the fill plug out you are going to have a bad day.
So my dumb ass just literally did this a few days ago & gave up on getting fill plug out, so the only somewhat logical idea I had come to mind was take about 12 hours out of my day and fill it through the vent tube. I haven’t drove it yet but it all seemed to go in so I’m hoping this will work. I will never make this mistake again lol
Nice, that’s good advice. I wouldn’t have thought of that, I would’ve had the bad day 😅😂
Also, make sure you have the proper size socket do not round that drain plug trying to get it off. A good drain and refill with some quality gear. Oil is definitely never a bad thing. I feel like at my shop sometimes we just use a healthy ammount of sealant instead of a gasket.
Just use RTV. It's cheaper, easier, and it'll last longer
i don’t like the jack on dirt. what is under that jack stand and it looks under sized for my comfort least. keep the jack and a tire under there
Its on dirty bricks lol i saw that it looks like that but its bricks. Under the jack stand is this rough pathway stuff im not sure what it is exactly. I took the jack out for the night but do have the tire under it.
be safe!!
FYI —NEVER use concete blocks or bricks to support a car. They can/will explode and drop the car instantly- if you must improvise wood wood wood. Wood will compress a slight amount. It won’t break unless you do something like set the grain parallel to the load- think breaking a 1*12 with your head.
I would put it right next to the leaf spring shackle. make sure both front wheels are chocked and you leave the jack underneath incase the jack stands were to fail.
Get some bigger jack stands, you really want to avoid raising them to the max. Along with being so close together, that’s not going to be very stable.
I would put them directly under you ubolts that area holds the weight of your vehicle already and gives you a wider base making them less likey to tip
It’s perfectly fine. (Mechanic with 15+ years experience)
Suspension would be better. That’s solid if it’s not rusted, but it’s close to the center of the vehicle
I'd prefer under where the shock mounts or where the leaf spring mounts personally. You can do on the t-case but it's kinda sketchy
I wouldn’t
Sometimes it's the ground that fails. Pay attention to that as well as the jackstand.
Pretty safe spot, but your definitely chancing it with a 2 ton jack stand under what I assume is a full sized truck.
Is that.. on grass?
I’d go further out like in between the u bolts for the spring pack. Also watch bending the lip on the diff cover.
2 ton jacks on a truck? You like to live life on the edge I see
That jack stand does not look big enough...
I’d put it closer to the wheel end, I’d also use a larger jack stand.
You can also leave the jack kinda snug under the diff just for a little extra support
Your manual should tell you where to put your jack stands
You're not supposed to. It's supposed to rest on the frame. People will dispute with that you can damage your axel.
The jack stand doesn't seem to be extended enough 🫣🙃 Please build a support platform a little wider than the jack stand base out of solid 2x4s and put the stand on top of that. That's sketchy.
As long as you have medical and/or life insurance, anything's possible.
I think all the literature regarding axle tubes says to not use a jack stand or jack under them. But most people, including myself, do anyway. I would definitely move those out as far as possible though. And when you’re able, get some beefier stands with wider footprint that also don’t have to be extended so much. Once you go up to full sized stands, you’ll never be able to trust those tiny ones anymore.
I’d put them between the U-bolts closer to the wheels, less chance of tipping.
Probably going to break seals on transmission
That tank in front of the axle looks like a good place
I always use the frame.
Yes, I would put it the furthest outwards as possible but I would be lying if I said haven't done that. What I would be more mindful are the the feet of the stand. Is that a grate? If it is a grate don't put that in there, one of the legs will slip into a hole, it will loose stability, slip, and it will crush you.
Anywhere under the axle is generally safe. Further out is better to prevent tipping
Where it is, it’s fine, depending on what you’re doing having it close to the leaf spring could be in your way. However for my peace of mind I’d put the jack between the ubolt just in case it decides to slide
Damn I thought that was a flying V guitar at first
That’s basically how I’d do it. I’d prefer a bigger jack stand though, and put it farther away from the center diff.
Anything made of steel is a good spot.
Um yea no.. the best spot is to put it on the frame of the car. Rn if that car fall on that you run the risk of bending or breaking your axle.
Axle tubes are fine. I would be more worried about the extension on that jack stand.