To raise a vehicle so you can work under it, you have several alternatives. The ideal choice is a hydraulic lift that raises the vehicle overhead. Most amateur mechanics, however, rely on a floor jack or some other type of jack used in combination with jack-stands. It stands to reason that, when raising a two-ton vehicle off the ground so that you can climb beneath it, there are critical safety considerations to be mindful of. It is very important to be familiar with the operation and limitations of the type of jack that you intend to use.
Safety Alert: Never get under a vehicle supported only by a jack. Always use the jack in combination with jack-stands.
One of the heavier-duty types of jack, and one of the best choices if you plan to do a lot of work beneath your vehicle, is the floor jack (figure A). This type uses hydraulics to lift and support the vehicle, and individual models are rated for the amount of weight they can safely support. (The one in our demonstration was rated at 2 tons.) It utilizes rollers and a long handle so that it can be positioned easily beneath the center of the vehicle. With the jack properly positioned, the handled is pumped to raise the vehicle up. To lower the vehicle, the handle is rotated as the vehicle slowly drops down under its own weight.
A more portable option, but one that still relies on hydraulics, is one known as a bottle jack (figure B). A small adjuster at the top of the jack can be raised and positioned in a designated spot beneath the frame. Once in position, a long handle is used to pump the jack and raise the vehicle. The handle can then be detached, and positioned on a separate adjustment that is used to lower the vehicle. This type of jack is convenient for emergency roadside use such as for changing a flat tire.
Another small, lightweight option is the scissor jack (figure C). This more familiar style is often supplied by vehicle manufacturers as emergency equipment, and is mounted or attached in the trunk or rear compartment of the vehicle.
The scissor jack is a mechanical rather than a hydraulic jack, and uses a crank handle to raise and lower the vehicle. It fits beneath the frame of the vehicle (figure D), and the top surface may have a cradle or indentation (figure E) designed to support the vehicle at a specific point on the underside of the frame.
Safety Alert: Whichever jack you decide to use, one of the most critical factors is the correct placement of the jack. Proper placement is a safety consideration, and will help prevent injury as well as damage to your vehicle. Check your vehicle owner's manual for designated support points for jacking your vehicle.
If you plan to get underneath your vehicle, it is especially important to use jack stands in combination with the jack itself. Raise the vehicle enough to place jack-stands (figure F) under the vehicle's frame, then adjust the stands to the desired height and be certain that they lock in place.
For added safety, engage the parking brake before jacking the vehicle, and use wheel chocks (figure G) at the end of the vehicle opposite the jack to guard against rolling .
A less costly method of gaining access to the underside of your vehicle is to use ramps (figure H). Make sure the ramps are rated to support the weight of your vehicle. Whether using a jack or ramps, chock the wheels for added safety.
RESOURCES :
Auto Repair for Dummies
Author: Deanna Sclar
ISBN: 0764550896
Some vehicles provided by Beaty Chevrolet
Beaty Chevrolet
9615 Parkside Drive
Knoxville, TN 37922
Phone: 865-693-7712
Web site: beatychevrolet.com
Some vehicles provided by Ted Russell Ford
Ted Russell Ford
8551 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: 865-693-7611
Web site: www.tedrussell.com
The Haynes Automotive Tools Manual : The Haynes Manual for Buying and Using Automotive Tools
Model: 1563921073
Author: Eric Godfrey and John H. Haynes
(1994)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Haynes Publications
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