The Ford Barn

FrankWest · 04-21-2015, 09:03 AM

Is it safe to test a car's trans and differential while the car is support by 4 wheel jack stands.. or is it safer to only lift up the rear and support each wheel axle by jack stands??

chap52 · 04-21-2015, 09:42 AM

Personally I would keep those front wheels on the ground and "chocked". Vehicle is much more stable and less apt to vibrate off the stands. Point it towards an open field, not your wife's car.

Chisel · 04-21-2015, 09:49 AM

It depends on what the definition of is is and I didn't have sex with that woman !!

Old Henry · 04-21-2015, 10:09 AM

I've done it that way a lot. No problem.

FrankWest · 04-21-2015, 10:14 AM

Just asking...will do only as a last resort.
I have a lot of things to try first.

Ross F-1 · 04-21-2015, 11:32 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

My dad used to adjust the rear brakes that way (rear axle only on stands), with it idling along. Just don't get clothes caught on a tire!!!

expavr · 04-21-2015, 11:52 PM

In order to test the shift pattern of the transmission in my 40 Tonner I put the front wheels on the Harbor Freight ramps I use for draining the oil and the rear axle on HD jack stands. All the gears in the trans were tested at idle and at 1/2 throttle. Even in 3rd gear at 1/2 throttle this setup seemed to be secure with no danger of falling off the supports.

Bassman/NZ · 04-22-2015, 02:12 AM

I've had my car running in gear with all four wheels off the ground, no problem.

DavidG · 04-22-2015, 10:04 AM

Given your self-expressed unfamiliarity with things mechanical, there are too many things that can go wrong in either case (2 wheels off the ground or all four) hence this is a very bad idea for a DIY project.

Mike51Merc · 04-22-2015, 11:26 AM

I was chasing down a vibration in an OT AWD car. Had it up on 4 stands with all 4 wheels spinning up to 80 mph while laying under the car looking/feeling for vibrations.

As the saying goes.... "don't do this at home, these guys are trained professionals"

hotcoupe · 04-22-2015, 11:47 AM

there is a reason that women generally outlive men.
tom

jimTN · 04-22-2015, 04:13 PM

Once had a round track car up on stands under the rear end and guess what, it came down off, I jumped back after reving it and when it hit the ground it killed the motor, guess the alum. flywheel saved the day!

1931 flamingo · 04-22-2015, 05:58 PM

When I did AAA on the weekends I'd get a call to unlock a car, running, on jackstands. Interesting.
Paul in CT

CC33 · 04-22-2015, 06:09 PM

What's a rednecks famous last words? "Hey watch this!!!"

Seriously though, please be very careful doing this. Have really good quality jack stands, don't rev the hell out of the engine, and block the front wheels as already mentioned.

Rand · 04-22-2015, 08:27 PM

I've done it a couple times with no problems
(Knocking on head errr "wood")
Just pay attention while doing it!
Good luck and be careful
Randy

GB SISSON · 04-22-2015, 09:09 PM

When I poured the slab for my shop I installed a 'deadman', which is a strong forged eyebolt for attaching a chain or cable to. The two times I've run a truck on jackstands I utilized this for safety. I learned this deadman term from working in boatyards when I was a kid. They were planted all over the place for snatch blocks etc.

1938 Woody Cape Cod · 04-23-2015, 04:49 AM

All those that had a problem are not responding

funrunr · 04-23-2015, 06:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1938 Woody Cape Cod

All those that had a problem are not responding

That's too funny, yet sadly true!

big job · 04-23-2015, 06:29 AM

Going back to around 10yrs old all us kids had a back field machine. These were
5 dollar cars dime a dozen. So my friend gets a free nice straight 1936 Chev 4 dr.
first thing He figures is how fast will it go, so jacked up with a bumper jack he
proceeded to hit around 80 on the speeometer ha ha, He had babbit pounder
parts all over the yard Yes he got a beat'n from his old man.......and he never got
to drive it.

04-21-2015, 09:03 AM	#1
FrankWest Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 3,005	testing trans and differential on jack stands Is it safe to test a car's trans and differential while the car is support by 4 wheel jack stands.. or is it safer to only lift up the rear and support each wheel axle by jack stands??

04-21-2015, 09:42 AM	#2
chap52 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Marana Arizona Posts: 1,776	Re: testing trans and differential on jack stands Personally I would keep those front wheels on the ground and "chocked". Vehicle is much more stable and less apt to vibrate off the stands. Point it towards an open field, not your wife's car.

04-21-2015, 09:49 AM	#3
Chisel Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 232	Re: testing trans and differential on jack stands It depends on what the definition of is is and I didn't have sex with that woman !! __________________ Chisel Evil Lurks...for those that don't carry a side arm!!!

04-21-2015, 10:09 AM	#4
Old Henry Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 5,762	Re: testing trans and differential on jack stands I've done it that way a lot. No problem. __________________ Prof. Henry (The Roaming Gnome) "It is good to have an end to journey toward; but it is the journey that matters, in the end.” *Ursula K. Le Guin in The Left Hand of Darkness

04-21-2015, 10:14 AM	#5
FrankWest Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 3,005	Re: testing trans and differential on jack stands Just asking...will do only as a last resort. I have a lot of things to try first.

04-21-2015, 11:32 AM	#6
Ross F-1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NM Posts: 2,438	Re: testing trans and differential on jack stands Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) My dad used to adjust the rear brakes that way (rear axle only on stands), with it idling along. Just don't get clothes caught on a tire!!! __________________ '52 F-1, EAB flathead

04-21-2015, 11:52 PM	#7
expavr Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Hansville, WA Posts: 776	Re: testing trans and differential on jack stands In order to test the shift pattern of the transmission in my 40 Tonner I put the front wheels on the Harbor Freight ramps I use for draining the oil and the rear axle on HD jack stands. All the gears in the trans were tested at idle and at 1/2 throttle. Even in 3rd gear at 1/2 throttle this setup seemed to be secure with no danger of falling off the supports.

04-22-2015, 02:12 AM	#8
Bassman/NZ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Napier, New Zealand Posts: 2,001	Re: testing trans and differential on jack stands I've had my car running in gear with all four wheels off the ground, no problem.

04-22-2015, 10:04 AM	#9
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: testing trans and differential on jack stands Given your self-expressed unfamiliarity with things mechanical, there are too many things that can go wrong in either case (2 wheels off the ground or all four) hence this is a very bad idea for a DIY project.

04-22-2015, 11:26 AM	#10
Mike51Merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Northeast Pennsylvania Posts: 1,582	Re: testing trans and differential on jack stands I was chasing down a vibration in an OT AWD car. Had it up on 4 stands with all 4 wheels spinning up to 80 mph while laying under the car looking/feeling for vibrations. As the saying goes.... "don't do this at home, these guys are trained professionals"

04-22-2015, 11:47 AM	#11
hotcoupe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: imperial,mo Posts: 694	Re: testing trans and differential on jack stands there is a reason that women generally outlive men. tom

04-22-2015, 04:13 PM	#12
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,509	Re: testing trans and differential on jack stands Once had a round track car up on stands under the rear end and guess what, it came down off, I jumped back after reving it and when it hit the ground it killed the motor, guess the alum. flywheel saved the day!

04-22-2015, 05:58 PM	#13
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: testing trans and differential on jack stands When I did AAA on the weekends I'd get a call to unlock a car, running, on jackstands. Interesting. Paul in CT

04-22-2015, 06:09 PM	#14
CC33 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 465	Re: testing trans and differential on jack stands What's a rednecks famous last words? "Hey watch this!!!" Seriously though, please be very careful doing this. Have really good quality jack stands, don't rev the hell out of the engine, and block the front wheels as already mentioned.

04-22-2015, 08:27 PM	#15
Rand Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Buford, GA Posts: 380	Re: testing trans and differential on jack stands I've done it a couple times with no problems (Knocking on head errr "wood") Just pay attention while doing it! Good luck and be careful Randy

04-22-2015, 09:09 PM	#16
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,930	Re: testing trans and differential on jack stands When I poured the slab for my shop I installed a 'deadman', which is a strong forged eyebolt for attaching a chain or cable to. The two times I've run a truck on jackstands I utilized this for safety. I learned this deadman term from working in boatyards when I was a kid. They were planted all over the place for snatch blocks etc. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

04-23-2015, 04:49 AM	#17
1938 Woody Cape Cod Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cape Cod Ma. Posts: 129	Re: testing trans and differential on jack stands All those that had a problem are not responding

04-23-2015, 06:29 AM	#19
big job Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Dighton, Mass Posts: 1,230	Re: testing trans and differential on jack stands Going back to around 10yrs old all us kids had a back field machine. These were 5 dollar cars dime a dozen. So my friend gets a free nice straight 1936 Chev 4 dr. first thing He figures is how fast will it go, so jacked up with a bumper jack he proceeded to hit around 80 on the speeometer ha ha, He had babbit pounder parts all over the yard Yes he got a beat'n from his old man.......and he never got to drive it.