Jacking the Elise and Placing on Jackstands - Page 3 - LotusTalk

TimMullen · 06-04-2007, 07:10 PM

I may be the only one, but I have to give a word of caution.

I once attempted to lift one side of the car and slide the RhinoRamps under that side (going to repeat it for the other side).

Before I go the car high enough to slide the RhinoRamp under the rear tire, the angle of the car (one one side lifted) causes the jack to slip - and luckily - shoot out from under the side of the car. Luckily, because the car fell back to the ground without hitting the jack or causing any damage.

I learned my lesson, and back up on the RhinoRamps to access the under-tray and remove it, then drive it back down onto the ground. I then jack up one side high enough to get two jackstands under the car with then set at their lowest point. Then I jack up the other side to normal working height and place the jack stands. Then back to the first side to raise those two jacks to the working height.

Lowering is the reverse.

Like I said, I may be the only one, and several people lift the car and slide the RhinoRamps under the tires, but I'm not going to even consider doing that again. Once was close enough to catastrophe...

lancer360 · 06-05-2007, 06:11 AM

I also back the car onto the Rhino ramps first, then I use the jack to lift one side enough to put the jack stand under it. Once you are on the rhino ramps, it does not take much to lift the car enough to get a jack stand under it, and their is little chance of the jack shooting out from under the car since both rear wheels are already on the rhino ramps and the car is level side to side. The angle from front to rear is MUCH less since the car is longer in that direction so again, really no chance of the jack shooting out because of the angle.

Good point Tim!

mpsalm · 06-12-2007, 11:13 AM

Is there a way to jack the car up only from the 2 "C" points without placing jack stands under points "B"? I torqued my toe-links without having to use more than one jack but I'd like to know for future reference. I don't think the front wheels would resettle onto the ground without tipping the car since the frame is so stiff.

lancer360 · 06-12-2007, 12:40 PM

You don't have to use jack stands under the front of the car when you lift the rear. Back the rear of the car onto ramps, drop the undertray, then jack the car at point "A", install jack stand under "C" and remove ramp. Repeat for the other side. You will end up with the front wheels on the ground and the rear on jack stands. Make sure you chock both front wheels though!

TimMullen · 06-12-2007, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpsalm

I torqued my toe-links without having to use more than one jack but I'd like to know for future reference.

I've pointed this out several times before, but here it is again.

The toe-link bolt is also the lower a-arm bushing mounting bolt. Only tighten that bolt (and any other bushing bolts) with the car at ride height - wheels on the ground. If the wheels are "drooping" with the car on jack stands, it will "pre-load" the bushing - besides causing the bushing to fail sooner, it will mess up the effective spring rate of the suspension.

Put the wheels on the ground or on RhinoRamps (or something else) so that the weight of the car is on the wheels prior to tightening the suspension bolts.

mpsalm · 06-12-2007, 05:06 PM

Good to know, thanks... It's hard sifting through the many many many threads on this topic...

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimMullen

I've pointed this out several times before, but here it is again.

The toe-link bolt is also the lower a-arm bushing mounting bolt. Only tighten that bolt (and any other bushing bolts) with the car at ride height - wheels on the ground. If the wheels are "drooping" with the car on jack stands, it will "pre-load" the bushing - besides causing the bushing to fail sooner, it will mess up the effective spring rate of the suspension.

Put the wheels on the ground or on RhinoRamps (or something else) so that the weight of the car is on the wheels prior to tightening the suspension bolts.

RWLott · 06-12-2007, 05:34 PM

I have two racing aluminum floor jacks from Summit Racing (built-in hockey pucks, 3000 lb capacity). Caution - lower carefully, VERY gradually release the handles, otherwise they lower all the way at once.

Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels. Remove the rear diffuser.

Jack the rear of the car using both locations D gradually at the same time. Place jack stands near locations C.

Repeat using both locations B at the same time at the front. Place jack stands under the tie rods. The car remains stable at all times.

Raising one side of the car using location A did not seem very stable. Too bad. I would have preferred not to have to remove the rear diffuser.

ichibanset · 03-30-2009, 12:21 AM

Is it safe to apply 1 jack stand each on both sides of point "B" if I'm planning to replace front rotors and pads?

Sh4rkattk · 03-30-2009, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ichibanset

Is it safe to apply 1 jack stand each on both sides of point "B" if I'm planning to replace front rotors and pads?

Yes i do it all the time, infact i have all 4 wheels off the ground using B, C or D.

Use A to lift one side, place a stand under B. Then lift the other side using A and place a stand under B.

As a side note, alot of members here like to put hockey pucks on top of the stand. I feel this practice is kinda dangerous, the chassis is made to be lifted there so there is no reason to protect it.

ichibanset · 03-30-2009, 02:10 PM

Thanks a million Sh4rkattk. Very Helpful.

RoadDad · 03-30-2009, 02:16 PM

Just to clarify: Do not use point A and B as your jack points to take off all four wheels or you will learn what a qball is.

four wheels off should only be done as sh4rkattk listed - B plus C or D.

300hpMR2 · 04-13-2009, 12:43 AM

Because A is a balance point, is it unsafe to just put the front on jack stands via:
1. Jack car up at A.
2. Place jack stand at B.
3. Jack car up at A on opposite side.
4. Place jack stand at other B.

Eric D · 04-27-2009, 10:07 PM

I am designing a vehicle fixture on locking casters that can be placed under the car while car is on ramps that can then be used to lift the car and level it at each corner for suspension or other work with wheels removed. It could also be moved around the shop with wheels removed and in the air.

Can somebody give me a measurement between jack points B, C, and D?

Cross car measure, as well as lengthwise. (X and Y directions)

Much appreciated.

-eric

Lotus-Position · 04-27-2009, 10:23 PM

Here is how I do it:

1. chock front wheels
2. Remove diffuser and under pan
3. Use floor jack on center of rear frame cross member to get the rear of the car up.
4. place floor jacks at each end of the frame cross member and gently lower onto jacks.
5. Using two scissor jacks, one under each of the front jack points, lift the front by incrementally raising each side a few turns (so the frame isn't torqued much).

Any issues with that? I've done it this way a number of times... no damage so far.

06-04-2007, 07:10 PM	#41 (permalink)
TimMullen Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Chantilly, VA Posts: 11,363 Images: 19	I may be the only one, but I have to give a word of caution. I once attempted to lift one side of the car and slide the RhinoRamps under that side (going to repeat it for the other side). Before I go the car high enough to slide the RhinoRamp under the rear tire, the angle of the car (one one side lifted) causes the jack to slip - and luckily - shoot out from under the side of the car. Luckily, because the car fell back to the ground without hitting the jack or causing any damage. I learned my lesson, and back up on the RhinoRamps to access the under-tray and remove it, then drive it back down onto the ground. I then jack up one side high enough to get two jackstands under the car with then set at their lowest point. Then I jack up the other side to normal working height and place the jack stands. Then back to the first side to raise those two jacks to the working height. Lowering is the reverse. Like I said, I may be the only one, and several people lift the car and slide the RhinoRamps under the tires, but I'm not going to even consider doing that again. Once was close enough to catastrophe... __________________ Tim Mullen --- There is no such thing as Touring suspension or Touring wheels. I love being married. It's so great to find that one person that you want to annoy for the rest of your life. - Rita Rudner Chantilly, VA http://members.cox.net/elans4/ 05 Lotus Elise - Chrome Orange - No Touring - No LSS - No Hardtop - Lotus Driving Lights - Lotus "Chin Guards" - plain and simple. 94 Miata R Package - Black 72 Lotus Elan Sprint - Colorado Orange/Cirrus White

06-05-2007, 06:11 AM	#42 (permalink)
lancer360 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,215	I also back the car onto the Rhino ramps first, then I use the jack to lift one side enough to put the jack stand under it. Once you are on the rhino ramps, it does not take much to lift the car enough to get a jack stand under it, and their is little chance of the jack shooting out from under the car since both rear wheels are already on the rhino ramps and the car is level side to side. The angle from front to rear is MUCH less since the car is longer in that direction so again, really no chance of the jack shooting out because of the angle. Good point Tim! __________________ '05 Lotus Elise Saffron Yellow, Touring, Sport, Stainless Brake Lines, Moroso Oil Pan, RTD Brace KBS Mark 7 Formula 500 with a heart transplant in progress '09 600cc GSX-R Due to hit the track in August '09

06-12-2007, 12:40 PM	#44 (permalink)
lancer360 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 1,215	You don't have to use jack stands under the front of the car when you lift the rear. Back the rear of the car onto ramps, drop the undertray, then jack the car at point "A", install jack stand under "C" and remove ramp. Repeat for the other side. You will end up with the front wheels on the ground and the rear on jack stands. Make sure you chock both front wheels though! __________________ '05 Lotus Elise Saffron Yellow, Touring, Sport, Stainless Brake Lines, Moroso Oil Pan, RTD Brace KBS Mark 7 Formula 500 with a heart transplant in progress '09 600cc GSX-R Due to hit the track in August '09

06-12-2007, 05:34 PM	#47 (permalink)
RWLott BBeauty Join Date: May 2006 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 197	Placing on 4 jack stands I have two racing aluminum floor jacks from Summit Racing (built-in hockey pucks, 3000 lb capacity). Caution - lower carefully, VERY gradually release the handles, otherwise they lower all the way at once. Place wheel chocks in front of the front wheels. Remove the rear diffuser. Jack the rear of the car using both locations D gradually at the same time. Place jack stands near locations C. Repeat using both locations B at the same time at the front. Place jack stands under the tie rods. The car remains stable at all times. Raising one side of the car using location A did not seem very stable. Too bad. I would have preferred not to have to remove the rear diffuser.

03-30-2009, 02:16 PM	#51 (permalink)
RoadDad perfututum futūtor Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 5,989	Just to clarify: Do not use point A and B as your jack points to take off all four wheels or you will learn what a qball is. four wheels off should only be done as sh4rkattk listed - B plus C or D. __________________ "Really, you want to maintain a semblance of professionalism since you represent Lotus. Me... I don't need to. Bite me." -Randy

06-12-2007, 11:13 AM	#43 (permalink)
mpsalm BANNED Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 1,348	Is there a way to jack the car up only from the 2 "C" points without placing jack stands under points "B"? I torqued my toe-links without having to use more than one jack but I'd like to know for future reference. I don't think the front wheels would resettle onto the ground without tipping the car since the frame is so stiff.

03-30-2009, 12:21 AM	#48 (permalink)
ichibanset Usana Health Sciences Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 38	Is it safe to apply 1 jack stand each on both sides of point "B" if I'm planning to replace front rotors and pads?

03-30-2009, 02:10 PM	#50 (permalink)
ichibanset Usana Health Sciences Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 38	Thanks a million Sh4rkattk. Very Helpful.

04-13-2009, 12:43 AM	#52 (permalink)
300hpMR2 Not a poseur anymore! Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 577	Because A is a balance point, is it unsafe to just put the front on jack stands via: 1. Jack car up at A. 2. Place jack stand at B. 3. Jack car up at A on opposite side. 4. Place jack stand at other B. __________________ 07 Phantom Black Exige S - Touring Pack/Track Pack/TC/SS/Titan QR rack/Costco wireless rear view cam/BWR door sill protectors/Locking gas cap mod/headlight film with bubbles/Larini SC Sport/Multivex mirrors/Saikou Michi Oil Catch Cans/Dunlop Direzza Z1 Star Specs/Manly's Motor Mounts

04-27-2009, 10:07 PM	#53 (permalink)
Eric D Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 5	I am designing a vehicle fixture on locking casters that can be placed under the car while car is on ramps that can then be used to lift the car and level it at each corner for suspension or other work with wheels removed. It could also be moved around the shop with wheels removed and in the air. Can somebody give me a measurement between jack points B, C, and D? Cross car measure, as well as lengthwise. (X and Y directions) Much appreciated. -eric

04-27-2009, 10:23 PM	#54 (permalink)
Lotus-Position Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 363	Here is how I do it: 1. chock front wheels 2. Remove diffuser and under pan 3. Use floor jack on center of rear frame cross member to get the rear of the car up. 4. place floor jacks at each end of the frame cross member and gently lower onto jacks. 5. Using two scissor jacks, one under each of the front jack points, lift the front by incrementally raising each side a few turns (so the frame isn't torqued much). Any issues with that? I've done it this way a number of times... no damage so far.

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