Hi everyone!

So a quick question to the collective; I would like to get the XK up in the air on four jack stands but have some concerns about the best way to go about it...

In the past I have lifted one side of the car, set jack stands and then taken the jack to the other side and then pivoted it on the stands. On most cars this has gone ok but given that the XK is 21 years old and the pinch weld isn't in the best of shape I worry that this may not be the smartest solution.

I splashed out earlier this year and bought a proper 3 ton low profile jack with the spreader bar to cut down on the pressure I was putting in one spot which has made this process much easier and safer. Would it be in my best interest in getting another jack and bar to lift both sides as equally as one person in their driveway can? Is there a better / cheaper solution that I am not seeing or is pivoting the car okay so long as I doing it as quickly and gently as possible?

Thoughts?
Thank you!

 

From the thread title I was expecting a driving post with some great video!

I prefer to apply as little twisting as possible. When needing the whole vehicle off the ground, my technique has always been to lift the front first and then the rear rather than go from the sides. I usually put the stands on their lowest height until all the wheels are up and then gradually raise front and rear alternately to the required working height.

Graham

 

^^ I do the same....

 

Reverend Sam (youtube sam1174) has a video on the proper way to jack up a Jaguar. I think it might be where I started the Jaguar journey.

 

I use the same process as GGG. Both my late father and my son in law are master mechanics and that is (and was ) their method as well. I would actually say NOT to jack up one side at a time.

 

Graham, given the state of the front suspension on the 'new to me" mobile, I think I will lay off the driving heroics for now (at least)

But I appreciate the expectation of my talents

Thank you all for the advice and the suggestion of the Rev video, I should think more often to start there.

Hopefully it will stop raining before I need to turn the Jag into an ark and can use your advice...

 

'Probably the same video I immediately thought of - the Mustang/Charger chase scene in Bullitt Perhaps the best car chase footage ever filmed. For those who have never seen it, here's the first half which takes place in San Francisco. Spoiler alert: The Charger loses. BADLY..

 

wow am I getting old!
I 'remember' when mustangs handled well...viewing this old footage it's pretty clear just how much better our newer equipment is. How many turns lock to lock for good ole Steve? I wonder if his arms were pumped after a few takes?
wj

 

I don't know if this is the "right" way to do it, but I use an old floor jack (with wheels). I put a small board on the jack cradle to distribute the weight over a wider area, center it under the front cross-member (making sure that the jack doesn't contact the oil pan), and raise the entire front end. I then place jack stands under the front rails at either side of the car (better make sure they're not rusted out or you create a secondary problem). Then I put the jack underneath the rear "pumpkin" (differential housing), and jack up the entire rear and again place the jack stands under the side rails. You can do it in increments moving back and forth between the front and rear of the car with a relative degree of safety. You need to make sure that the jack capacity is a least 3,000 lbs. and, it goes without saying, do all of this slowly and methodically. Just my two cents.........

 

 

So when jacking up under the front steel cross member, is that with or without the undertray in position?

 

You can do it with the undertray attached if you use a 2x4 on the jack cradle to give you clearance. Also, unless you're working on the suspension, use ramps under the wheels instead of jack stands; much safer especially if you turn one of them backwards so the car can't roll. If you're going on 77 like me, you can also leave all under-car work to the local shop.