Front Jackpoints for Suspension Work?

[BadMojo]

Quick question: Is the front crossmember a suitable jack point when working on the front suspension? I'm getting ready to change my front shocks. Will jacking from this point keep the suspension from full droop?

Of course, I'll be placing chocks at the rear wheels and jack stands on the frame rails (or whatever you call 'em on a unibody car).

[Scott McLellan]

First question, why don't you want your suspension at "full droop?" For jack points in the front, there are little elognated oval (look kinda like a 0) holes on each side that are the car lift points. What I do is place a wood block on the floor jack and jack up on the drip rail where you normally jack up for changing a spare tire, then put a wood block on a jackstand and put that under the 0 hole thing. For changing the shocks you definately want the suspension drooping all of the way. Unbolt the bolts that connect it to the spindle and then the ones under the hood on top of the shock and take the whole thing out. Don't forget to unhook the brake stuff first though. Then use a strut spring compressor to compress the spring and then loosen the bolt on top and pull everything off (remember the order of the stuff). Then put the stuff on the new strut and put the spring w/ spring compressor back on and bolt it back together. When you put it back in you might need to raise or lower the spindle because of the sway bar and then bolt it up. Good luck!

[BadMojo]

Actually, I do want the car at full droop. I'm not particularly excited about using the rather flimsy looking jack points that one would use to change a flat tire.

If I can use the jackpoints listed in the FSM and still have my front suspension at full droop, I'll be happy man. I guess my question wasn't properly worded, but the previous sentence was what I'm getting at.

[BadMojo]

Anyone else? Is the front crossmember a suitable jack point when doing suspension work?

I'd rather not use the emergency points listed in the owner's manual for fear of damaging the welds.

Edit: Figured it out. Front crossmember, it is. The "frame rails" should be good for the jack stands but aren't strong enough to be jack points on their own.

[offtheline]

I have actually been trying to figure out the best place to jack the car up in the rear. I have done it a few times and have not really found the best spot yet. Once the car is up, I know where to place the jack stands, however I am wondering what spot you guys use.

[BadMojo]

The FSM shows the rear jack point as the differential. I'll give it a try when I do my rear shocks. We'll see if there's any pumpkin smooshing action.

[JeromeS13]

When I raise the front of my vehicle, I use the front lower core support. Its strong as hell.

[SHIFT_Lock]

every car i work on i use the front crossmember as the main jack point. just watch out for the oilpan. and yes use jacksatnds on the sides. and rear pumpkin for jacking up the rear.

[offtheline]

ok I thought the pumpkin was it. Sounds good to me.