Jacking On The Subfame - Flexing The Shell

[Guest shiftyshuffle]

Just a quick point, would anyone advise against jacking the car toward the edge of the subframe where the strut joins? I jacked mine here briefly to inspect the brake pads, and found the passenger door would barely open, then foul the body heavily on closure. Jacking the car here seemed to flex the body out of shape, making the doors difficult to open/close.

 

Would you say this flex is normal? Didn't want to use the sills and chew them up!

 

Thanks, Rob

[Baz 421]

A little flexing occurs from jacking yes, but not quite sure where you mean as the struts don't really join the subframe! (or near?)

[Guest shiftyshuffle]

Sorry meant the wishbones. Jacking next to where they pivot on the subframe, using a block of wood in between.

[GLPoomobile 958]

It's safe to jack there, and that is a normal amount of flex. My old Civic was just the same.

[Guest shiftyshuffle]

Ah ok. Don't know how the shell is welded together and just thought it might be flexing over one of the joins etc causing unessecary stress.

 

Prob better would have been to support both sides of the subframe as far rear as possible using axle stands

[welshpug 1,666]

it'll be fine, nowhere near the stresses involved in driving.

 

you should see how much a 5 door 309 twists!

 

oddly my ZX hardly twists at all, just lifts a wheel at the back!

[chocolate_o_brian 0]

i have found jacking from the centre of the subframe the easiest option, with my little halfords axle stands on either side for support. i did used to prefer to jack the car up from the sides, but theres little space to get a jack under and an axle stand too, so ive started personally just jacking the whole front end up for simplicity, even if i only want one side or one wheel off.

 

i noticed yesterday when inspecting under the car it did groan and whine a little when being jacked. i put this down to a little flex and found a more central jacking point on the subframe.

 

now jacking the rear.... i have no idea lol.

[C_W 3 1 Cars]

I always jack at the wishbone subframe fixing point and have never noticed any great flex (doors seem to open the same).

[James_R 3]

I always jack at the wishbone subframe fixing point and have never noticed any great flex (doors seem to open the same).

 

 

ditto, sure the subframe bolts are tight enough??

[ashley peddle 3]

now jacking the rear.... i have no idea lol.

 

rear beam... use the goot release to get the middle and make sure the jack is well seated though

[NeilGTi85 5]

Will that not damage the beam?

 

Neil

[James_R 3]

only the the paint if you're rough, and only if you have an elephant on the back seat, works a treat

 

James