Front Jack Points
 

Just wondering if anyone else has noticed when lowering the front of the car on jackstands on the 'recommended' jacking points, do you guys hear a cracking noise? I dont think there is any cracking of the body, i think it is actually the plastic lining that sits underneath the side sill flexing, but it really concerns me. Thoughts?

I use a floor Jack and put the jack stands on the chassis just inside the control arms the sills are too weak and mine have started to buckle after a few lifts.

Hrmm I will have to take a look at a model of the underside so I can picture what you are talking about, but yea,i haven't had any buckling yet, but it has led me to lowering the car to sit on the jackstands, while still using some slight help from the floor jack to provide some relief for the pressure.

The reinforced areas for the factory jack under the rocker panels are fine for using a floor jack or jack stands. I've never had any strange noises or deformation when using them. You can find them by feeling or looking at the back side of the rocker panel lip, behind the front wheel and ahead of the back wheel. You will find a thicker area of the lip bordered by wedged cutouts.

I usually raise the car with the floor jack on the front crossmember or rear differential jack points, then put jack stands at the factory jack points.

This is the exact process and points I use, no deforming on my end, just the "cracking" noises (albeit nothing is actually cracking).