I just acquired a new lift jack for my garage to replace the aging 2-ton jack I owned and used for about 15 years. Since I need to also work on my (and my family's) Jeep trucks, changing winter tires frequently and so on, I splurged a little and got a heavy(ier)-duty one: 3.5 ton with lift range up to 21.5"(!) (The old one can only go up 14")

Now I can probably easily lift the whole front of my XJS at once, instead of doing each side at a time...

The manual says that the whole front can be lifted by centering a jack under the metal plate (point A in the picture), while also placing a piece of wood on the jack's head for protection.

Is that safe to jack up at A?

Then, assuming I can do that, are there convenient and safe points where I can put jack stands close to front wheels? (So that I have the area in the middle under the front as "work area")

Any of the labeled points (B, C, or D) on the picture can be safe for the jack stands?

If not B, C, or D, what alternative points people use when jacking up the front and leaving it on the stands for a prolonged periods of time?

 

"A" is fine for jacking with block of wood. does not need to be overly thick, just something to spread load. I use 20mm thick piece of hardwood.
The angle of the lower wishbone creates some uncertainty as far as stands go. I prefer to use blocks stacked under each wheel or under sill jacking points (using a small block with hole) if I need access to hubs or suspension.

 

I've put stands under the front suspension mount, the part at the very top of the photo on the right side, with the horizontal bolt going through the rubber mount. I found the V portion of a jackstand's head sits nicely on the round part of the suspension.

 

I use the outer edge of the spring pan. Dished channel in center of stand under rounded edge of the pan between "c" & "d" in your photo.

 

I use A or C.








a for the jack and c for the jack stands.


Carl

 

i use A for the jack, and C for the stands(like Carl does).

i have seen the rear subframe rubber mounts pull loose, because the whole engine assembly is hanging if the from the front bush mounts.

 

I jack under A but do not use jack stands, I use 250x50mm hardwood planks under the wheels. This gets the up very high 1m or 40".

 

This is cute. Not sure if I will have enough patience to build it up like this. Maybe some day...

 

Hi V1rok

I never feel Safe using Axle Stands and so whenever possible, I like to put a big block of wood under the Front Beam.

Though if I don't need to take the Wheels off, I sit the Wheels on 2 (or 4) Wheel Rims which I got from a Scrap Yard.



Instead of using Axle Stands, if I don't need to take the Wheels off I sit the Tyres on either 2 or 4 of these.

 

Took about an hour to make this with a drop saw. I already had the timber left over from my house.

 

Orangeblossom,

Thats pretty close to the pro solution. Every breaker yard uses the same stands. One steel rim as a base, one standing vertically inside the base. Four welds where they meet. Stable enough to use in a breaker yard. Storage however, requires a bit of space. Where do you stash them when not in use?

 

Warren:


Slick. But, I only have two trolley jacks and one is a bit small !!!!


I do have several chunks of wood blocks in differing sizes to "crib' when needed.


But, your system is OK, unless you need to remove the wheels.


Whenever feasible, I prefer my stamped steel ramps.


I do have a goodly selection of jack stands. No junky ones, but, some I trust more than others.


Oh, and my chunks of wood as chocks. Missed that once with bad result.
but, it could have been much worse....


Super care needed when any critter is off the ground.


Carl

 

Hi Jig Jag

I never knew that!

So that's not the way I use them, I either put a rim under each of the front wheels laying flat as in the Photo.

Or a rim under each of the 4 Wheels, which gives a surprising amount of Clearance for things like under-sealing or doing an Oil Change.

I've never heard of standing a rim vertically inside the base of the other one.

How does that work?

When I'm not using my 4 rims, I stack them in twos with a piece of plywood in between (to keep them stable)

Then place the Two Stacks 4 feet apart with a plank of Wood over the Top, to use as a makeshift Garden Seat for when we are having a Barbecue.

 

makes a 4 wheel lift very inviting idea!

 

If I need to remove wheels I have 3.5ton jack stands, and if I need to get under the car with wheel/s removed I also leave the jack under either the front or rear subframe. I never remove all 4 wheels and get under the car so I always have the platforms at the other end.