What's the easiest and safest way of jacking the rear of the car up?

I've looked at some ramps but I don't think they'll lift the car high enough to crawl underneath.

What about jacking it up onto axle stands? Being a complete numpty when it comes to these things, how do you do it?

Stefan

 

If you've got a trollyjack, jack up the rear on the diff.
If not, jack up on the sills under the passenger doors and place on stands.

A

 

Thanks Alan,

I did try jacking it up on the rear diff, but it looked like something was gonna break, so I chickened out.

Where exactly do you place the stands?

Stefan

 

Place the stands under the sills where you would normally jack the car up with the std jack supplied with the car.

A

 

Thanks Alan.

I'll give it a try when I get home. I'll post some pics if I get stuck

Cheers,
Stefan

 

ozzy, rear diff is fine. reason it looked as if it was gonna give is that it is mounted on rubber bushes to reduce roadnoise. itll lift a little, then the car will go up with it

 

It'd better or I'm holding you personally responsible

Stefan

 

Never paid much attention to the rear Diff casing, but if its alloy, don't jack it up here !!

---john---

 

And don't jack the diff up with the cars' std jack!!
Only a trolley jack

A

 

As I've explained to Alan, I've got a 2.5tone trolley jack and some 2tone axle stands.

Plan is too use the rear diff to jack the car up and place axle stands under the normal jacking points for the rear of the car.

If anyone can suggest an alternative and less risky manouvre, then please let me know. I mean, how would you get the car onto the axle stands without using the rear diff?? Is there any other jacking points?

and the football's just starting .......

Stefan

 

It really is fine to use a t.Jack under the rear diff.
I've done it many times but I put a piece of thick cardboard on top of the jack plate to avoid marking the alloy.
My local toyo dealer first reassured me and he's replaced tyres on many scoobs...

 

You can place the jack on the sill just forward of where you would normally jack the car up and place the stand at the recommended jacking point.

 

On the diff definately, and use the axle stands under the triangle metal plates that are just infront of the rear wheels....

 

use a pad on the trolly jack head to ensure it grips the diff whilst jacking, never get under a car whilst on a jack EVER.

If you want to use ramps & the car is too low to start off driver car up on some bricks, 4 bricks in a square per wheel, this will give you a couple of inches when put the ramp up against the bricks and then drive from the bricks on to the rapm

 

No way would I get under a car with axlestands on the standard jacking points.. and If a garage did that to my car I would be complaining... If you do it with an axle stand theres a pretty good chance of damaging the sill.. I would go for the above option... on the triangular plates... its pretty much common sense when you look under it... I have a habit of putting it on axle stands and rocking the car if im not convinced... Id rather it fell of the axle stands with out me under it.. also be carefull if they are cheap axle stands as they will fall over easily...


David

 

The rear diff is a suitable jacking point. If you look carefully the alloy piece is just the cover plate. If you move in more from the rear there is a solid cast iron type section that the cover plate is attached to...use this. All the Subaru garages use it to jack up the car.

 

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Managed to get the car up onto the axle stands without any problems lastnight. Used the rear diff as the jacking point. I used a square piece of solid wood between the trolley jack and the diff too make sure it didn't do any damage.

Also used the standard jacking points on the sills forthe axle stands, though next time I'll look for something a bit more sturdy under the car. There wasn't any damage to the sills (didn't expect there to be) and the car felt very secure.

I also kept the trolley jack under the diff while I did the work.

It took longer than expected, but I watched the Leeds/Celtic testimonial game first and it was absolutely p.....g it down when I started Thank God for my waterproofs

Thanks again,
Stefan

 

So how come the sills are a recommended point of support from Subaru?

In olden times a cars chassis leg was used for support with sills being *relatively* cosmetic, hence unscrupulous bodgers repaired them with plates, cardboard, what have you. Nowadays they are part of the integral structure and any repair has to be a replacement part welded to the necessary standards

A

 

Alan,

I agree, the sills are supposed to be used as jacking points. So if they can support the weight of the car on a jack, then why not when its on axle stands?

The top support on most axle stands is flat (with two lips to stop the car sliding off), so there's a chance it may bend the 'L'-shaped jack point on the impreza. The OEM jack has a groove to catch this lip.

Stefan

 

Cheers Stefan

Never had any bother with damage to my sills (and trust me, the amount of work i've done on the car!!)

FI, I place a thick mat on top of the stand to stop the paint / underseal getting damaged.

A

 

Im only saying this as I know how strong they are as I welded mine back together when I replaced the quarter panel and to get it to line up involved using a hammer and not much effort... Its personal preference... the plate with the bolt on is a lot stronger and a lot thicker thats all.

David

 

David,

The way you hack about at your car, no wonder it's falling apart Anyway, shouldn't you be busy working on your DIY FMIC

Stefan

 

I wasn't disagreeing with you David, I only use the sills cause it's quick and convenient to set the car up for the amount of time I spend working underneath it.

If the car was to be left for a period of time on stands (e.g. over the winter), your suggestion would be where my stands would be placed....

A

 

LOL @ Ozzy

David