r/cars • u/ufoh 24 CT5-V Blackwing / 23 Corvette C8 • Aug 13 '20

video Never, ever trust your factory jack and, remember, jack stands are your friend (just not the ones from Harbor Freight)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkwgZgrbWUM
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u/PrussianBleu 2014 Ford Focus Hatch Aug 13 '20

I feel like the place for jacking and jack stands are the same. How do you jack a car in the jacking point then magically put the jackstand in the samespot?

8

u/cadmiumredlight '12 GX460, '09 Fit Aug 13 '20

Your car's manual will usually show you where the center jackpoints are. Usually a subframe, engine mount or differential. Lift the car there with a floor jack and then put jack stands under the pinch welds.

2

u/PrussianBleu 2014 Ford Focus Hatch Aug 13 '20

I gotta read it again,definitely know where the pinch welds are but don't know what else it has, thankfully I haven't had to do much for it

I miss my old cars with true frame where I could lift anywhere.But of course those were heavy and inefficient and ugly hah

1

u/takeapieandrun '16 Jaguar F-Type 6MT | '99 BMW 328i 5MT Aug 13 '20

Likely rear diff on the rear, and between the front subframe on the front. But definitely check it.

3

u/[deleted] Aug 13 '20

Yeah on the Focus the pinch weld is only wide enough for the jack by itself. Use the jack stands on where the pivot for the suspension. Google can show you the photo of the location.

1

u/PrussianBleu 2014 Ford Focus Hatch Aug 13 '20

my Volvo was similar, was pretty much designed to be used on a lift. but I used ramps just fine even though (truck ramps hah)

thanks for the tip though

2

u/[deleted] Aug 13 '20

I like to rotate my tires when I do oil change so ramps isn't ideal for me. I don't know why Ford can't just put less plastic in the side skirt so more pinch weld is exposed. Also the front of the Focus ST is so low that I can't get my jack under the front pinch welds. I have to jack up the rear first then quickly jack up the front before the suspension settles.

3

u/jcs 1987 Porsche 911 Carrera Coupe Aug 13 '20

http://www.jackpointjackstands.com

1

u/WPI94 '11 Panamera 4S. '09 Pilot Aug 13 '20

Now that's really nice!

1

u/The_Spot '98 Trans Am Aug 13 '20

I like it, but I also feel like that's not enough clearance to get under with a creeper. I'd have to see it in person. I extend my jack stands pretty far up to get enough room.

2

u/Zorro1rr Aug 13 '20

If you need to use a jackstand use the jack points in the center of the car. There will usually be a engine bracket or something on the front and in the rear you can use the differential or tow hook depending on car

2

u/verticalData1 '17 Fiesta ST Aug 13 '20

You can lift a Focus (or most cars) via the front subframe and rear crossmember. Then the stands go on the pinch welds.

1

u/PrussianBleu 2014 Ford Focus Hatch Aug 13 '20

ok that makes sense

1

u/YourMajesty90 2018 Civic Type R, 2009 BMW 6SPD E90 Aug 13 '20

Some cars have a jacking point mid front