Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Posted ImageWelcome to the all new Geo Metro Forum. We hope you enjoy your visit.

You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are features you can't use and images you can't see. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Join our community!




Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Jack stands
Topic Started: May 16 2014, 07:08 PM (2,890 Views)
Airsmithy


Just wanted to share an experience. I changed my front tires today. While trying to jack up the drivers side, the Geo Scissor Jack I was using stripped the threads and collapsed. I should have realized something was wrong when the jack was so stiff to even raise and lower without any weight being lifted. Reminded me why I use jack stands, and will make me better remember to do so.

What kind of jacks do forum members use?

Where are your favorite jack points, and jack stand points on the Metro?

I have floor jacks, but liked using the scissor jack because of the bracket on top fits the factory jack points better than my floor jacks. I think I will either make a bracket for the floor jack, or adapt the bracket from the scissor jack.

Stay safe everyone!

Dave
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Memphis metro


I use a floor jack and jack up on the sides most of the times. Never get under one without a stand if the wheels are removed.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
JADEDSL2
Member Avatar
Resident WraithSlayer

I use an AC Delco 2 1/4 Ton floor jack, and skip the "pinch weld" for the heavier "frame rail" close to where the rear control arm bushing mounts are. Never had an issue there. I put my AC Delco 2 ton jack stands under the "frame rail" as well, just behind where I lifted the car from. For the rear, I lift the square bit where the toe bars connect in the center. It's got a spot that's pretty much ready made for a jack to hit dead center. Lift the whole rear of the car, stick jack stands under the "frame rail" just in front of the rear control arms. I've seen too many pinch welds buckle, and wind up leaving dented sheet metal to ever trust them again. I threw my scissor jack away the day I bought the car. 2 pounds of useless, cheap junk. Given that my floor jack is capable of lifting 2 metros in their entirety, and each of my jack stands will support 2 metros, with 4 jack stands under my car when it's in the air, I could stack 8 metros on them, and they wouldn't give out. And I only put one car at a a time on them. :) Pretty dang satisfied. And I have a "little" floor jack, and "little" jack stands.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
socal geo garage
Member Avatar


Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Memphis metro


Scissors jacks come in real handy sitting on the side of the interstate five hundred miles from home with a blowout.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
yiffzer
Forgot His Manpurse

I use harbor freight's 3 ton jack stands. Works fine.

Posted Image
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
perfesser
Member Avatar
Elite Member - Former Metro owner

JADEDSL2
May 16 2014, 09:11 PM
I use an AC Delco 2 1/4 Ton floor jack, and skip the "pinch weld" for the heavier "frame rail" close to where the rear control arm bushing mounts are. Never had an issue there. I put my AC Delco 2 ton jack stands under the "frame rail" as well, just behind where I lifted the car from. For the rear, I lift the square bit where the toe bars connect in the center. It's got a spot that's pretty much ready made for a jack to hit dead center. Lift the whole rear of the car, stick jack stands under the "frame rail" just in front of the rear control arms.
:+1 What he said (different brand names, same thing.)
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Metromightymouse
Member Avatar
Powdercoat Wizard

(95 and up) Rear jack point is the one described previously. Front jack point requires the radiator support to not have rusted out. There is a spot in the middle of the cross beam/ radiator support that drops down a half inch or so. It is there and reinforced for a reason, nestles quite nicely in the cup of a floor jack (notice the same on the rear jack point).
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
yiffzer
Forgot His Manpurse

Unfortunately, White Knight and Blue Jay had its radiator support slightly bent because I tried to jack them up. So it's all rusted out, eh?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Metromightymouse
Member Avatar
Powdercoat Wizard

That is what I would guess. Jacked mine up bunches of times by that spot, shook the car, got in and started it etc. and it is still perfect.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
socal geo garage
Member Avatar


The jacking points will be in your owners manuel.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
georandy
Member Avatar


I bought a 2 ton floor jack at Harbor Freight. $20+/-
It works great and it was cheap.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Way


Airsmithy
May 16 2014, 07:08 PM
Just wanted to share an experience. I changed my front tires today. While trying to jack up the drivers side, the Geo Scissor Jack I was using stripped the threads and collapsed. I should have realized something was wrong when the jack was so stiff to even raise and lower without any weight being lifted. Reminded me why I use jack stands, and will make me better remember to do so.

What kind of jacks do forum members use?

Where are your favorite jack points, and jack stand points on the Metro?

I have floor jacks, but liked using the scissor jack because of the bracket on top fits the factory jack points better than my floor jacks. I think I will either make a bracket for the floor jack, or adapt the bracket from the scissor jack.

Stay safe everyone!

Dave
Center radiator support like mentioned and I put the jack stands under the factory jack points. I don't like metal on paint however, so I usually have a shop rag I put on top of the stand to lower the car on. Seems to work well. I've also used 2x4 cutoffs too but the rag is much gentler on the paint.

It would be a good idea to keep a rag wrapped on the scissor jack too so if you need to use it on the roadside, you're not damaging the paint there as well.



Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Murf 59
Member Avatar


I only use a scissor's jack on the side of the road. Other than that its a 2 ton floor jack. And if I am going to be under it for what ever reason, its on jack stands. Good ones. These are safety gear.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
flea
Member Avatar


The scissor jacks are one of the most useless and dangerous things you can use to lift up a car. I usually have a small floor jack with me. At home I have a 3 ton Craftsman floor jack and heavy duty jack stands. It's better to take the extra time to set up the hack stands than what could happen.
I have had many instances where the scissor jack would fall over when the car shifted so I won't take the chance.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · General Tech and Tool Talk · Next Topic »
Add Reply