Maintenance / Things You Can Do Without A Jack?

[laundromatt]

hi everyone,

due to space constraints in my apartment's shared carport, i can't do any extensive work under the car. so, i'm looking for a list of things i can do on the car without having to lift it up using jacks.

i'm pretty new to the car, so i don't know what can be done without lifting it up. so, i turn to the collective wisdom on this board to fill me in . i've done a search, but it didn't seem like anyone else has asked this before. (although, if i'm wrong on this, please fill me in!)

the burning question i have is, can you do an oil change without lifting up the car?

thanks!

[OttawaDave]

oil change without lifting the car is completely possible. Just find a pan that holds enough (12 quarts), but will fit underneath without jacking up the car, and you're set.

[wolf76]

Welcome aboard.You can also change the air filter, the fuel filter, spark plugs, wires, cap and rotor. I'm sure there's a lot more as well.



Chris

[McLovin]

all of the above (I never jack up the car for an oil change), you can also bleed the brakes!

[Davewjunior]

Ok, Mclovin. Tell me how to bleed the brakes without a jack.

[JP911]

laundromatt-
Sent you a pm.

[steely]

Most of the stuff I felt I wanted to do first, and was able to tackle didn't involve jack stands, but I did have to make room (like on top of a workmate bench) for my intake. of course I exaggerate a little here - I think I used a box to store the AFm/air box etc.

I removed it to replace the oil pres sw, tstat o-ring, crank-case breather, and fuel lines (with some I made from tips here using ss braided lines and AN/mopac(?) fittings.

I also did the plugs and ignition lines, rotor, distributor cap, replaced the intake gaskets, isolators, and throttle springs (found one broken!). The idle sw got set in there too, and I dealt with some vac line surprises. Oh yeah, I sent the alternator out for a bearing and brush check, and the fan and housing got spruced up.

You can follow Waynes 101 projects book too - and tackle the window regulator spring retainer issue as well as cleaning it up. If you have power windows, you'll wind up adding some life to the motors. All in all you'll probably gain 30 hp - or at least it'll feel like it.

[McLovin]

Originally Posted by Davewjunior

Ok, Mclovin. Tell me how to bleed the brakes without a jack.

If you know where the bleed nipples are, it's not hard at all, you can get to them without jacking the car up. In the rear, you just get under the car and reach them. The fronts, you can turn the wheels full lock and that makes them easy to reach. Just use a small box end wrench on them.

I use a long piece of tubing, attach to the bleed nipple and run to a jar. I use an EZ bleed with 5 lbs of pressure.

[laundromatt]

Originally Posted by OttawaDave

oil change without lifting the car is completely possible. Just find a pan that holds enough (12 quarts), but will fit underneath without jacking up the car, and you're set.

awesome - thanks, that was what i was hoping to hear.

[James Brown]

Lets see, oil change, valve adjust (did it on dirt!), anything through the engine lid, anything through the front lid, anything on the interior, brake bleed is possible but tuff, body work, transmission drain and fill (did that)muffler change. can't do: suspension work, tire/wheel changes, oil cooler work, heat exchanger change, engine removal. That's about it but as you can see quite a bit. If you have a carport, than a good jack and a couple jack stands will work for the rest. Don't limit yourself because you don't have the room, be creative! And take pictures!!

[Canada Kev]

Headlight relays, ...

Is it possible to use some ramps made out of wood that are about four or five 2 x 8 layers thick? If so you can do valve adjustments and almost anything that requires access to the underside of the car. I made up a set of two and they work great for me.

[laundromatt]

Originally Posted by James Brown

Lets see, oil change, valve adjust (did it on dirt!), anything through the engine lid, anything through the front lid, anything on the interior, brake bleed is possible but tuff, body work, transmission drain and fill (did that)muffler change. can't do: suspension work, tire/wheel changes, oil cooler work, heat exchanger change, engine removal. That's about it but as you can see quite a bit. If you have a carport, than a good jack and a couple jack stands will work for the rest. Don't limit yourself because you don't have the room, be creative! And take pictures!!

wow, a trans fluid change?? all the writeups i've seen so far on this say that lifting up the car is a must in order to get the tubes to the right place. even if could reach underneath, i don't know if i'd have enough leverage to undo the drain bolts...

[James Brown]

No you can do it, but you do need a pump to get the fluid into the trans. My hands and arms were at there limit trying to get the side filler bolt off but it did come off. using long extentions help. Heck, dig a pit and drive over it! Be creative, if you don't have a 4 post lift, work around it!

[unclebilly]

Depends on how fat you are.

Bleeding the brakes is easy without jacking. I have done it at the track several times. I helps if you have cup wheels or similar but these are not required.

[gsmith660]

I have done it much easier if you take the tire off but can be done

Ok, Mclovin. Tell me how to bleed the brakes without a jack.

[gptom]

Lube all of the door & hood hinges
Tom

[laundromatt]

thanks everyone for the responses. i'll tackle the oil change and take it from there.

[HarryD]

For jobs where you need to get under your car but not remove the wheels, you can make/buy some ramps to lift the end of the car you need to get under.