Jacking, jack stands, hoisting

[Ricardo]

I'm sure some of us have questions as to the correct placement of jacks and jack stands and the proper lift points for hoisting Pagodas,  some of which may have been discussed before in different threads.
I wonder if we can consolidate some important info into this thread to help with searches.
Some questions that come to mind;
Aside from the factory jacking points, which points on the chassis are safe to lift by?
Is it OK to lift the whole front from the crossmember?
What about the idea that was discussed, I believe by Bernt Damn on the old Yahoo list of the danger of having front sub-frame mounts shear if the car is not properly hoisted?
Is there a problem with placing a jack stand under the diff and allowing the axles to hang, aside from overfilling the diff, if the oil level is checked this way?
Is it safe to support the whole car on jack stands, and where would they be placed?
What about tow points if we should end up needing one? I prefer flatbeds for the view  
Ricardo

[mulrik]

OK front first. I allways jack up under the crossmember. Jack stands can be put two different places. 1) There are two steel protrusions coming from the bottom of the car and swinging up towards the hood. You should place the jack stands just before they swing up. The other place is beneath the jack holes. In the back I allways jack up under the differential. You can place your jack stands the following places below the jack hole, just where the longitudial chassismember meets the one going cross the car just behind the seats. Open the covers behind the seats to find out exactly where. Let the rear axles hang, just DON'T remove the rear shock absorber while on jack stands without supporting the axles. Now the third possible place is on the axle. I have never done this myself but read somewhere that it should be ok. I would do it as close to the wheel as possible.
If you do as I have done you'll be allright. The car is very stable if you put it on four jackstands in the places I suggest. You can safely jump into the car and work on the inside while on four jack stands. When you put the car down make sure to roll it back and forth untill the rear wheel camber is neutral.

ON the issue of frontsubframe shear when on stands I have no ecperience, but place your jack under the crossmember while not working the car would solve that problem.

AND do yourself a favor; buy good jack stands with good elevation and even more important; get a good jack with enough operation height to match your jack stands. It will be worth the money!!!!
Enjoy!!!

'67 250 SL Papyrus White 113043-10-000023

[Benz Dr.]

I have different places for different jobs.

 I place them at the front in the usual place on the frame rail that runs under the floor. Just back of where it starts to swing upwards is a good place. Rarely , I 'll place them on the lower control arm and only because I have to. I lift the car on the front sub frame - there's no other safe place. Shearing anything off is actually quite funny. You won't.....

I only lift the back of the car by the diff and place the jack stands under the trailing arm stud mounts. This is a very safe place. If they're too weak or rusty ( you have a parts car ) place them under the axel tube.

The jack stands should be adjusted for height BEFORE you slide them under the car and you should NEVER hold them by the top part. Place the release handle so it's facing out towards you. When you pull them back out from under the car by this handle they'll drop down to the lowest position.

Placing the car on a hoist is similar. Front inner frame rail and trailing arm stud mounts. If the car is weak or rusty place a piece of wood under the lifting arm to spread the load out more.

Dan c
SL Barn

Daniel G Caron