I was wondering if it is OK to jack up the S Type with a floor jack on the front cross member, at least partially to better access the preferred lift points. It's difficult getting to the inner frame lift points shown in the manual when the car is down. But can the cross member take the weight, that is the question. Any input would be appreciated.

 

Probably not officially approved, but I have done this multiple times with no problems.

 

Hi
If you mean the front cross member area where the radiator is, I would say no, its not thick enough to support the weight of the car
best places are front subframe, where it bolts to the body, just behind the sills, or chassis rails each side of the gearbox
I don't like using the sills, as it can damage the plastic covers very easily
cheers
Joe

jacking point.jpg

 

I made a small ramp to drive up so I can get the jack to the rails (each side of trans/exhaust tunnel).

 

Yes me too only a small length of scaffold board under each front wheel gives me enough clearance, even on my lowered STR
To get to the chassis rails.

 

I thought he was asking about the heavy piece that passes under the engine oil pan, roughly in line with the front wheels. That's what I've used.

 

Sounds like may be early S-Types only?

 

My early one has this fairly massive cross member too and I have also used it on occasions

However, now I have a low-profile trolley jack and getting to the chassis lifting points is no problem.

 

Interesting, maybe only the early models have this crossmember between the front wheels. It’s always seemed plenty stout in my overinflated opinion.

To work under the front, I typically use my floor jack here and then set jack stands at the official jack points behind the front wheels. Those jack points are frustratingly small, making it difficult to fit a jack and jack stand so close together.

 

Thanks for all the input. I was talking about the cross member that has the suspension attached to it, under the car it's between the radiator and the oil filter. It isn't that massive, unlike the one on my old Hillman, so that's why I was asking. Maybe I'll see how the access is driving up on one 2x12 like mentioned above, I've seen too many Three Stooges films to try to drive The Catmobile up a little ramp.

 

Avoid lifting the vehicle by any central point, especially the aluminium crossmember under the oil sump. If the jack were to slip, it can cause extensive damage to the crossmember and sump.

 

Oh criminy, thanks, one more thing to worry about...

Here's the floor jack I use. The pad rotates, and has four recesses around the perimeter, kind of like a rook chess piece. By positioning the crossmember in opposite recesses, it fits very securely. I've set a silver tire iron across the jack pad in this picture, to explain what I mean:




As when using any floor jack, make sure the work surface is clean and smooth so the wheels can roll smoothly and adjust as the jack is raised.

 

When beginning to restore my S-Type last autumn, I removed the floor-jack´s tires to get it underneath the suggested points (inner rails besides the exhaust pipes) - worked out fine but was some kind of dangerous since the jack wasn´t able to roll and pulled the car towards its side when raising...
Btw: these rails are long enough to use them for jacking up & positioning a jack stand besides. At the rear it´s getting a little more complicated.