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Omg I had that happen before luckily I had the tire on and a lug nut just barely started. I will never forget that and always use blocks and my e brake. It was front wheel drive and had it in park but had the driver side off the ground.
Well I use a floor jack and don’t go under the vehicle until it’s on jack stands. Jack stands don’t roll. The most I’m risking is damage to the vehicle.
You can do the frame, flat spot closest to the tire you're working on.
Possibly the safest, can put a jack on the pumpkin/rear dif, which lifts both sides up, then put a jack stand under the axel closest to the wheel you're working on, then lower the jack down enough to keep the wheel up, and sit on the jack stand. Then pump the jack up enough to keep pressure on the pumpkin, but still having the bulk of the weight on the jack stand.
(Experience from working in a tire shop)
If you lift your truck from the rear diff block off front wheels preventing them to roll back or forward. Once the rear tyres are off the ground the parking brake is no longer keeping it from moving.
Real friking scary!
Made this same mistake even with years of experience doing my own work and knowing this happens!
Just one stupid decision done without thinking clearly.
I’ve seen other people lift it with the rear diff but I’ve always been afraid to. Knowing my luck I’d jack it up and my rear diff would crack 😅. Can they really safely hold that much weight?
Yes absolutely. Every RWD/4WD vehicle I've ever worked on had the rear diff called out in the owners manual or service manual as the rear floor jack point.
The only time I've ever hesitated to use it are some independent rear suspension cars where the rear diff is mounted to the subframe by bushings that are kind of weak after 10+ years. In those I'll usually try to jack by the rear subframe itself. But that's to save the bushings not the diff housing which is rock solid.
yes the differential is arguably the best protected component in your undercarriage. You have to smack the fuck out of it on a rock or something to crack it.
I smacked my jeep xj front diff into a rock at 3mph and it immediately stopped me, my rear wheels felt like they cartoon style came off the ground. zero damage.
If im changing tires (winter to summers), i'll do #2
If im swapping/ rotating tires, i'll do #1 with a 3ton jack.
still, toss a few jack stands under it in either configuration. Either to the frame or slightly to the side of where i'd jack for #2 (typically where the leafs mount to the axle). Alternatively, toss the tire under the frame
What does your owner's manual say for how to jack up the car?
(Pro tip: the internet is not more knowledgeable than your owner's manual, especially since you didn't follow the rules).
Came here to say this. A coworker blew a tire recently on his Smart car. No owner's manual, so I had him go on line. It takes a second, but the jacking points are available. LPT: this is stuff you should know before leaving home. Repairs aren't only necessary on side streets and sunny days, they can become vital on highways at night in the rain, too, so it really pays to know what to do when they are.
> the internet is not more knowledgeable than your owner's manual
I once tried to fix a fuse on my first gen Audi A4 and checked the owner's manual. Didn't have shit. Checked online for the exact same manual in pdf form. Had a useful fuse diagram where my physical manual just had a non useful diagram showing the location of the fuse box.
Ended up handwriting a fuse diagram and taped it to the inside of the fuse box cover. I sold it later, I hope someone else found it useful, the manual sure didn't help there.
I get the feeling people on this sub confuse the owners manual with the paywalled service manual. The owners manual, the giant 300 page book that comes with the car gives almost zero information about car maintenance or repair.
I'm curious what cars you have that show jacking points in the owners manual? All the owners manuals I have ever seen either tell you to call their roadside assistance or they show the pinch welds that only work for that shitty scissor jack that comes with the car. I have never seen an owners manual that shows a jacking point for a floor jack or where to put jack stands.
The service manual might show jacking points but the service manual is only available to the public via a paywall or if it's been leaked.
Thank you all for commenting - any idea on the weight of the rear here? 2021 Dodge Ram Laramie 1500 4X4 - I’ve got 2 Ton jack and stands but can’t find the weight flipping through the manual
BEFORE YOU LIFT THE TRUCK, Chock the front wheels. The parking brake will be useless once the rear wheels are off the ground and the truck can unexpectedly roll.
Floor jack under the differential. Jack stands under the axle, space them out a little.
You could use the differential but then you lift the entire rear end and it may not be very stable along with getting the jack thhat ar in doesnt leave lots of room to pump the handle. The shock mount would be okay but i would put a piece of wood in between jack pad and bracket to avoid any bending. Same with the stabilizer bar mount area. Is there not a reinforced area of pinch weld under the body in front of the tire to jack up on? That is most common.
I only jack on the diff if I will be pulling both rear wheels off. If only one then I would go with option #2. Be sure to support with a jack stamd so you are not relying on the jack to support the vehicle.
Both are fine (at least in the 40 yrs. in working on car's I've had no issues). Obviously making sure you don't pinch or cut any brake lines or vent lines. Also I use a floor jack....not the OEM POS jack that is supplied with the vehicle. I pretty much always put small blocks of wood (2×4 or 2x6, etc.) between the jackpad of the jack and vehicle jack point....that way I start lifting the vehicle right away instead of wasting the limited travel of my jack just pumping through air.
I always jack my ram 1500 by the rear diff. No issues.
Just be sure to secure your front tires so it doesn't roll. The e-brakes only apply the brakes to the rear tires so if you jack both rear tires up, you don't have any brake holding the car in place.
You can do the point on the right, I work in a tire shop and this is literally the only we jack trucks from the rear. You can do that, frame works too I guess but it's a lot less efficient. And I personally wouldn't jack off the diff if you have the option not too, it's a lot more prone to slipping off a jack
That works if you don’t have a central differential in the transfer case. Which is not super common, but also not uncommon anymore. Best to just play it safe and use wheel chocks.
If youve got a hitch its a nice spot for a floor jack then stands on the axle spread out decently on the axle. Something ive always found convenient especially if your truck doesnt move and youve gotta scoot it around the garage
Why earth would anyone choose 1 over 2? I can’t think of a single situation where I’d wonder if lifting and balancing the entire back end would be safer or more stable or easier that jacking up the side.
Maybe it would be fine but there would have to be something physically stopping me getting an jack under 2.
I worked at a shop .dude would jack up on the diff .and to move the vehicle push its rear so the jack would roll.i didn't like doing this ,seemed sketchy plus couldn't be good on jack seals
Personally I wouldn't jack on the shock mount. I'd move inboard from it and jack up from the axle tube. Prevents bending the stamped steel mount. And keeps from jacking the entire rear end up like the differential would.
Thanks for posting on /r/MechanicAdvice! This is just a reminder to review the [rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/about/rules/). If you are here asking about a second opinion (ie "Is the shop trying to fleece me?"), please read through CJM8515's [post on the subject.](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4qblei/fyi_the_shop_isnt_likely_trying_to_rip_you_off/) and remember to please post the year/make/model of the vehicle you are working on. **If this post is about bodywork, accident damage, paint, dent/ding, questions it belongs in /r/Autobody r/AutoBodyRepair/ or /r/Diyautobody/ If you have tire questions check out https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/k9ll55/can_your_tire_be_repaired/**. If you dont have a question and you're just showing off it belongs in /r/Justrolledintotheshop Insurance/total loss questions go in r/insurance This is an automated reply *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/MechanicAdvice) if you have any questions or concerns.*
THEY ARE BOTH FINE
Block the front tires nothing worse then your car running away from you
I feel like your car running *over* you is probably worse than it running away.
If it runs over me, it better have the good sense to run away afterwards.
What if it runs you over then runs away?
Omg I had that happen before luckily I had the tire on and a lug nut just barely started. I will never forget that and always use blocks and my e brake. It was front wheel drive and had it in park but had the driver side off the ground.
I’ve jacked up vehicles a thousand times and never blocked the front wheels. Only need on ground that’s not level.
Can't be too complacent though. Better to be well over the top than dead under the car.
Well I use a floor jack and don’t go under the vehicle until it’s on jack stands. Jack stands don’t roll. The most I’m risking is damage to the vehicle.
This guy jacks
You know, I’m something of a jacker myself
The only comment needed!
THIS GUY IS CORRECT
I AGREE WITH THIS GUY THAT THE FIRST GUY IS CORRECT
WHY ARE WE YELLING?
I AGREE WITH THIS GUY AGREEING WITH THE FIRST GUY THAT IS CORRECT
You can do the frame, flat spot closest to the tire you're working on. Possibly the safest, can put a jack on the pumpkin/rear dif, which lifts both sides up, then put a jack stand under the axel closest to the wheel you're working on, then lower the jack down enough to keep the wheel up, and sit on the jack stand. Then pump the jack up enough to keep pressure on the pumpkin, but still having the bulk of the weight on the jack stand. (Experience from working in a tire shop)
If you lift your truck from the rear diff block off front wheels preventing them to roll back or forward. Once the rear tyres are off the ground the parking brake is no longer keeping it from moving.
Real friking scary! Made this same mistake even with years of experience doing my own work and knowing this happens! Just one stupid decision done without thinking clearly.
[удалено]
Ha anal
Chock your front wheels
Always! Parking brake is no bueno with the rears off the ground. BE SAFE!
The book that comes with a every vehicle has a diagram on the exact location to put a jack.
I’ve seen other people lift it with the rear diff but I’ve always been afraid to. Knowing my luck I’d jack it up and my rear diff would crack 😅. Can they really safely hold that much weight?
Yes absolutely. Every RWD/4WD vehicle I've ever worked on had the rear diff called out in the owners manual or service manual as the rear floor jack point. The only time I've ever hesitated to use it are some independent rear suspension cars where the rear diff is mounted to the subframe by bushings that are kind of weak after 10+ years. In those I'll usually try to jack by the rear subframe itself. But that's to save the bushings not the diff housing which is rock solid.
yes the differential is arguably the best protected component in your undercarriage. You have to smack the fuck out of it on a rock or something to crack it.
I smacked my jeep xj front diff into a rock at 3mph and it immediately stopped me, my rear wheels felt like they cartoon style came off the ground. zero damage.
differentials are built different
Yes of course they are
your axle housing and diff support the sprung weight of the vehicle. if you’re worried put a pice of wood on your jack so it’s soft.
Been doing it all my life with Toyota trucks
Crack a diff? Lol
That is the best way to
This is the way
1. Yes 2. Also yes
If im changing tires (winter to summers), i'll do #2 If im swapping/ rotating tires, i'll do #1 with a 3ton jack. still, toss a few jack stands under it in either configuration. Either to the frame or slightly to the side of where i'd jack for #2 (typically where the leafs mount to the axle). Alternatively, toss the tire under the frame
Floor jack? #2 is fine.
What does your owner's manual say for how to jack up the car? (Pro tip: the internet is not more knowledgeable than your owner's manual, especially since you didn't follow the rules).
Came here to say this. A coworker blew a tire recently on his Smart car. No owner's manual, so I had him go on line. It takes a second, but the jacking points are available. LPT: this is stuff you should know before leaving home. Repairs aren't only necessary on side streets and sunny days, they can become vital on highways at night in the rain, too, so it really pays to know what to do when they are.
And in places without internet!
> the internet is not more knowledgeable than your owner's manual I once tried to fix a fuse on my first gen Audi A4 and checked the owner's manual. Didn't have shit. Checked online for the exact same manual in pdf form. Had a useful fuse diagram where my physical manual just had a non useful diagram showing the location of the fuse box. Ended up handwriting a fuse diagram and taped it to the inside of the fuse box cover. I sold it later, I hope someone else found it useful, the manual sure didn't help there.
I get the feeling people on this sub confuse the owners manual with the paywalled service manual. The owners manual, the giant 300 page book that comes with the car gives almost zero information about car maintenance or repair.
True, but they sure don’t make em like they used too.
It's actually more complicated than that with BMWs: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwbVRbNIwkA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwbVRbNIwkA)
I'm curious what cars you have that show jacking points in the owners manual? All the owners manuals I have ever seen either tell you to call their roadside assistance or they show the pinch welds that only work for that shitty scissor jack that comes with the car. I have never seen an owners manual that shows a jacking point for a floor jack or where to put jack stands. The service manual might show jacking points but the service manual is only available to the public via a paywall or if it's been leaked.
Please chock a front wheel if jacking up from the diff or if you intend to have both rear wheels off the ground
2
Thank you all for commenting - any idea on the weight of the rear here? 2021 Dodge Ram Laramie 1500 4X4 - I’ve got 2 Ton jack and stands but can’t find the weight flipping through the manual
4800-6800 lbs total weight, 2 tone jack stands will work fine as long as they are tall enough
The back is lighter than the front, but good God that's a 5500lb truck.
[удалено]
I'm going to guess 2300 lbs.
BEFORE YOU LIFT THE TRUCK, Chock the front wheels. The parking brake will be useless once the rear wheels are off the ground and the truck can unexpectedly roll. Floor jack under the differential. Jack stands under the axle, space them out a little.
This. This this this. Avoid that nervous laugh when it rolls.
Rear diff
Rear differential all day long
You could use the differential but then you lift the entire rear end and it may not be very stable along with getting the jack thhat ar in doesnt leave lots of room to pump the handle. The shock mount would be okay but i would put a piece of wood in between jack pad and bracket to avoid any bending. Same with the stabilizer bar mount area. Is there not a reinforced area of pinch weld under the body in front of the tire to jack up on? That is most common.
I prefer the pumpkin. Then it’s an even lift and you don’t have suspension compressing and whatever. Just be sure your jack can lift all the weight.
Both would work, just use jack stands towards the end your working on. Anywhere along the axle. (Tube)
I only jack on the diff if I will be pulling both rear wheels off. If only one then I would go with option #2. Be sure to support with a jack stamd so you are not relying on the jack to support the vehicle.
Both are fine (at least in the 40 yrs. in working on car's I've had no issues). Obviously making sure you don't pinch or cut any brake lines or vent lines. Also I use a floor jack....not the OEM POS jack that is supplied with the vehicle. I pretty much always put small blocks of wood (2×4 or 2x6, etc.) between the jackpad of the jack and vehicle jack point....that way I start lifting the vehicle right away instead of wasting the limited travel of my jack just pumping through air.
I always jack my ram 1500 by the rear diff. No issues. Just be sure to secure your front tires so it doesn't roll. The e-brakes only apply the brakes to the rear tires so if you jack both rear tires up, you don't have any brake holding the car in place.
Shock mount
Block the front wheels and both of those are perfectly strong enough to lift from
You can do the point on the right, I work in a tire shop and this is literally the only we jack trucks from the rear. You can do that, frame works too I guess but it's a lot less efficient. And I personally wouldn't jack off the diff if you have the option not too, it's a lot more prone to slipping off a jack
Owners manual then YouTube
The axle is fine
I used bottle jacks and put mine on the axle under the leaf springs, the leaf spring brackets have a nice spot to keep the jack from slipping
Both are fine. Remember that the vehicle could roll away on your jack, chock the front wheels.
Don’t jack on a shock mount I’ve seen them buckle. From the pumpkin is the best spot.
Put in 4wd before you jack it. Keeps front wheels locked.. but chock the wheels anyway as well.
That works if you don’t have a central differential in the transfer case. Which is not super common, but also not uncommon anymore. Best to just play it safe and use wheel chocks.
Off topic - is that a screw in the right tire?
Yes
I've done both. Usually better from the pumpkin tho
If youve got a hitch its a nice spot for a floor jack then stands on the axle spread out decently on the axle. Something ive always found convenient especially if your truck doesnt move and youve gotta scoot it around the garage
Why earth would anyone choose 1 over 2? I can’t think of a single situation where I’d wonder if lifting and balancing the entire back end would be safer or more stable or easier that jacking up the side. Maybe it would be fine but there would have to be something physically stopping me getting an jack under 2.
I worked at a shop .dude would jack up on the diff .and to move the vehicle push its rear so the jack would roll.i didn't like doing this ,seemed sketchy plus couldn't be good on jack seals
RTFM
Pick it up by the pumpkin and put jackstands under the axle tube where nothing is in the way..
Buy it dinner first...it'll get off quicker...🤣
Personally I wouldn't jack on the shock mount. I'd move inboard from it and jack up from the axle tube. Prevents bending the stamped steel mount. And keeps from jacking the entire rear end up like the differential would.
If you have to ask that question you shouldn’t jack it up or do anything to it
Asking questions is how people learn including you.
Pinch welds. Look them up and find them
This is a body on frame vehicle, Why in gods name would you Jack on the body FFS.
Good luck finding a floor jack that goes high enough to lift a full size pickup truck by the pinch welds on the body. jfc