Help on How to Jack Up all Four Tires at the same time

[GeorgePoulias]

I want to jack up my car using two floor jacks to paint all rotors and clean up the rims at the same time.

Can someone please give a safe run down that works for them.

Thanks.

[jpnovak]

Jack up rear of car. support the rear (spring plate covers or torsion tube) using jack stands.
Jack up front of car. Support front of car using jack stands at a-arm mounting points.

There is no safe way to lift a car with only to lift points (your jacks). Three is minimum to support car. Four is much superior.

remove wheels

[enderw88]

Please use JACK STANDS. Hydraulic jacks can and do fail under load. Many people are injured each year because they won't spend the $50-60 buck for a decent set of jackstands.

[jnewman]

6 ton jack stands are on sale at Harbour freight tools for $39.99/pr thru Sunday

[schumicat]

never get under the car when jack is holding it up - but if you just need to work on brakes you can put 2 jack stands in front as another post says and use jack under sump (use wood block betwen jack plate and sump) to get the back of car up.

[scotricker]

Jack Stands for sure, as mentioned above. Go get some before you start.
We can post pics of the support points if needed, just let us know. The first reply, (jpnovak) explains the jack stand points. Be careful.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by schumicat

never get under the car when jack is holding it up - but if you just need to work on brakes you can put 2 jack stands in front as another post says and use jack under sump (use wood block betwen jack plate and sump) to get the back of car up.

Just add to jack safety, when I have my car up on four jack stands and have the tires removed, I put a couple of the tires under the car "just in case". I also leave my floor jack in position "just in case".

Once I have the car on all four jack stands, I grab a door handle and shake the car pretty hard. I'd rather have it fall then, rather than when I'm under it...

[911pcars]

My recommendation:

Lift rear first, then support on jack stands under the torsion bar housing or torsion bar covers - standard support areas. I prefer NOT lifting at the engine (nor does Porsche).

Lifting the front evenly in one swoop is quickly accomplished from a middle position. However, that can only be accomplished two ways:

1. If the front ride height is high enough, cut a 2x4 long enough to reach both front torsion bar covers. Position the jack midway under the board and lift, then place jack stands at each end of the 2x4. If the front end isn't high enough (it should be), use a secondary jack (scissors-type) under the factory jack receiver (rocker panel) to create add'l vertical space.

2. Install an aluminum spacer between the front crossmember and the sheet metal cover under it. This spans the normal air gap and creates a solid connection between the two pieces. Lift the front end from this location (access from the side), then position jack stands under each of the front torsion bar covers. Suggest using a small plywood sheet or 2x4 with the jack and paint a target on the undercover to ID the lift point.

You'll notice this is also an ideal setup to help isolate front and rear ends for checking ride height (see tripod method).

Sherwood

[CCM911]

On the front end, I always use the bar that hangs down just under the AC Condensor.

Also - I just bought a nice pair of 3 Ton Jack Stands at Sears for $24. Cheap Insurance.

[rusnak]

Lifting the rear will press the front down, and make fitting a jack underneath the car much harder. However, the rear torsion tube makes an excellent pivot, so a first timer may find this to be much more favorable so long as the front can be raised sufficiently prior to jacking up the rear.

I usually lift the front first USING TWO JACKS AS THE OP SUGGESTS. This avoids putting torsion on the unibody frame. I then place padded jackstands at the outer corners of the frame where the floor meets the wheelwell. This is a good place to support the car because it's where three sheets of steel meet and overlap.

I then raise the rear of the car and use two 6 ton jackstands at the rear.

And the bar that protects the AC condenser is not a suitable lifting point.

[rusnak]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

2. Install an aluminum spacer between the front crossmember and the sheet metal cover under it. This spans the normal air gap and creates a solid connection between the two pieces. Lift the front end from this location (access from the side), then position jack stands under each of the front torsion bar covers. Suggest using a small plywood sheet or 2x4 with the jack and paint a target on the undercover to ID the lift point.

Sherwood

This sounds like a neat idea, as long as the "skidplate" as we call it, can be well supported and not a target for errant road debris, of which there is a surprisingly large amount. I even ran over a bird the other day, and had to clean feathers out of the bottom of the car.

Have you got pics of this set up? Would be interesting.

[Flat Six]

Originally Posted by GeorgePoulias

I want to jack up my car using two floor jacks to paint all rotors and clean up the rims at the same time.

A little OT, but you intend to paint your rotors?

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by rusnak

This sounds like a neat idea, as long as the "skidplate" as we call it, can be well supported and not a target for errant road debris, of which there is a surprisingly large amount. I even ran over a bird the other day, and had to clean feathers out of the bottom of the car.

Have you got pics of this set up? Would be interesting.

I don't venture down there too often, but if you have a front wheel off, I believe you can observe this space from the wheel well area and see the crossmember through the side opening of the pan. It would be a simple matter to apply a glop of modeling clay or equivalent on the pan, then temp. install/remove it and measure the exact thickness, or drill an inspection hole through the pan, then measure the space with a slender object (thin screwdriver, welding rod, etc.). Caution: Obviously, don't drill indiscriminately into any fuel-laden area.

Sherwood

[rusnak]

^ Actually I'm well aware of that area, and the fact that if you jack up the skidplate, it will bend. That's why I remarked about reinforcing it as a jacking point (using the crossmember).

I've carefully looked at the gap because I have a pair of Hella Twin Supertone horns hooked up to the alarm, and they are right tucked in there will millimeters to spare.

[911pcars]

Originally Posted by rusnak

^ Actually I'm well aware of that area, and the fact that if you jack up the skidplate, it will bend. That's why I remarked about reinforcing it as a jacking point (using the crossmember).

I've carefully looked at the gap because I have a pair of Hella Twin Supertone horns hooked up to the alarm, and they are right tucked in there will millimeters to spare.

Confirmed. You don't want to bend anything.... on purpose. If you're contemplating this, perhaps the horns and other innards can be realigned; doesn't take much.

Sherwood

[motogman]

some pictures of the engine jack point would be helpful please

[theclaw]

Jack stands are common at alot of garage sales and craigslist too.

If you search the forum there's a couple of good threads on where to lift the car.

[ShakinJoe]

Am I really reading this with no mention of using that crazy little jack plate and hole in the side of the car?

Put in jack plate on either side of car.
Lift with good floor jack
Put jack stands at jack point corners rear torsion ok
Put jack plate in other side
Repeat.

[SCOTITUDE]

Originally Posted by ShakinJoe

Put in jack plate on either side of car.
Lift with good floor jack
Put jack stands at jack point corners rear torsion ok
Put jack plate in other side
Repeat.

thats the way i was taught. jackpad, jack and 4 stands. car up without worrying bout crushing underbody or lifting by the motor.

[Red Clubbie]

I've got my car on stands at the moment while I refurbish the calipers and sprayed the hubs......





Used the same method the guys have said.......never just use the jack to support a car....always use jack stands.

Cheers,

Geoff.