confuzdbycloudz

Hey guys I want to put my car on some jack stands to do some work. I would like to use the jack points on the side for the scissor jack indicated by the owners manual for the jack stands. The problem is I can't find a set of jack stands that fit there well due to the lip and the shape of the jack stands. Has anybody found some that fit better or have anybody found a solution to this. I have read most of the jack stand points threads but I prefer using the points Mazda recommends. Thanks

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nycgps

that jack point should NOT be used for any regular jacking operation, it will crush the rails and it's pretty hard to fix, ask me how I know (yeah I know, didn't know **** back in the days alright?)

there are couple of points you can jack it, Mazda's "recommendation" jack point is the center of the Front member, or the Rear Differential's cooling fin (it's also the center of the rear), but sometimes it's really hard to slip a jack that's long enough there to do the pumping action.

So what you can do is you can jack the frame up, it's pretty obvious, but you should always cover the jack with 2-3 layers of cloth so you will not remove any of those rubber undercoating while you try to jack the car up.

confuzdbycloudz

I think you missed what i was asking. I know the jack points on the car are the rear diff and the crossmember in front of the oil pan. I am wanting to know if someone has found a good jack stand that works on the four points that mazda says to use for jack stands or the emergency scissor jack. I can't find any that work well.

paimon.soror

If i remember correctly, i think ASH8 had stands with custom tops built that look like the top of the scissor jack.

I use a set of harbor freight stands with the rubber pads, works just fine for me

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece...and-95952.html

nycgps

no jacks on the market (as far as I know) can do what you ask for.

what you can do is like I said earlier, use regular jack and warp it with 2-3 layers of cloth before you jack it up, so it will not destroy anything in the process.

paimon.soror

dude, he isn't asking about jacks. he is asking about jack stands.

olddragger

i dont like jack stands as they can fail. People have died. So I made some stands that the wheels rest on. Look up cribbing .log stands for cars--ems etc use these types.

http://www.myturbodiesel.com/images/...ock/block3.jpg

Of course if you have to do work with the wheel off--you have to use a stand. Dont buy cheap ones. Its your life you are talking about here. Sears has some pretty good ones and summit racing has some also.
Always leave the jack under the car as a secondary support when using stands.
OD

confuzdbycloudz

Thanks for the replies. Will have to look I to getting some of those rubber tops. I prefer ramps if I am working under the car, but sometimes the wheels have to come off.

olddragger

most portable ramps dont lift high enough for me

kevinande

I have a set that goes pretty high, but I have to use treated 8' long 2X6's to get it up on the ramps without damaging the lower portion of the car. Once up there I have plenty of room. The problem occurs obviously when the wheels need to be removed. For that I use a regular set of jack stands, nothing fancy or professional. I just leave the car jack underneath for an extra layer of safety when I need to use them. An old piece of tire serves as a cushion between the hold points. Works pretty well...still alive.

Chrishoky

Thanks for posting. I had a similar question. This saved me from wasting a thread.

SayNoToPistons

I hate the type of jackstands that have the adjustable notched center column. The lever can sometimes become loose and not lock the column in place. There was a recent post on BMW forums about someone's son being killed by the notched jackstands.

I use heavier duty steel pin jackstands. They are adjustable, though not as quick and convenient. It is nearly impossible to have the adjustable column collapse due to the steel pin design, and how the steel pin is locked in place with ANOTHER pin. I also put a thick cloth between the column rest and the jackpoints.

paimon.soror

+1 on this. If I could have I would have gone with similar stands.

Regardless of the type of stand you are using, always always always after lowering the car onto the stands, give the car a tug, shake, pull, bounce. Also, if possible, use the jack as extra support.

Chrishoky

I have never seen a jack like this before. Do they have a specific name? Know of places where they would be available?

nycgps

you are right, **** I think I need more sleep ...

I seen them before.


I still use some of those cheap jack stand and wanted to change them a while ago. I have 6 of them (4 2 tons, 2 2 tons)it's holding my FC now (4 2 tons) and whenever I need to go underneath the car, I put the last 2 jack stand around where I work, plus the big 3 ton jack to support the "just in case all jack stands fail at the same time), better be safe than sorry. there is no 2nd chance on this ****.

and after I'm done with my FC (which is soon, I finally fixed the freeze plug and gonna be replacing the wheel bearings), I'm gonna keep these as "back up/just in case/safety" sets and get some new ones. like the ones in the picture.

nycgps

SayNoToPistons

I have the exact ones picture. THey are made by Larin. Though they were somewhat cheap from Autozone and are CHinese (what isn't?), they have nice gauge steel and solid welds, which is always something critical to look for. Most of the time, I don't even have to use the red adjustable extension part. I just rest the body rails on the silver stand itself with thick piece of cloth in between. I actually folded an old underwear into a rectangle, and duct taped it as a mat ._. ... I only whip out the extension when I'm doing major suspension or exhaust work where I need high leverage.

Like nycgps said, if you search for "pin type jack stands" on google, you'll find quite a few.

100% agreed with paimon on pushing the car on jack stands to make sure everything is solid before you go under a 3000lb heep of metal.

Also, be very careful when jacking up the car. Always apply the e-brake and put the car in gear (not 1st). When the rear has to go up, make sure you jack up the front also. I had one event when jacking up the rear only even with the fronts chocked, and the car started buckling. I swear I was close from having the jack come off the rear diff fins. Idiot move on my part.

ASH8

Yep, the PIN type stands are the best IMO, and yes I have these (4 of) with modded slit tops like your factory RX-8 scissor jack welded on top of the PIN stands....similar pin set up to the pic shown...I ONLY use the factory sill locations for each of the jack stand positions, that is the only place they will fit.

And yes, I don't disagree with OD either, where possible I always try and have my 'hydraulic jack' also positioned as a safety catcher...just in case.

I am sure the USA would have a 'safety standard', like in Australia, we have a "Safety Standards" which products like this must be tested and made to a standard otherwise they can't be sold in stores...even if they are made in China....on-line or eBay is a different matter.

godesshunter

I have a stand at work with the notch in it for the pinch weld. I took a couple pics for you but its pretty old and there isn't much left to the sticker. It may be hard to find the brand if you are interested in it. It's made in Japan though so I believe its good quality even though its not a through pin style.

Jedi54

jack stands are overrated

Chad D.

Saw a slice in a hockey puck. Works great.
I kept my car on those for the winter. On stands with pins.
(It's quite the Canadian answer but I'm sure you can find pucks for cheap at a sport store)

atomicode

I bought these recently. They seem very well built and safe.

Aluminum Jack Stands - 3 Ton