I need to do some work under my car (shifter bushings) I dont have any ramps and I wouldn't have anywhere to store them if i bought some. I do however have access to jack stands. My question is, is it safe to use the factory supplied jack to lift the car up, one side at a time and lower the front down onto jack stands? If I jack up one side and slip the stand under and lower the car, will I be risking anything by lifting the other side, while the previous side is being supported by just a jack stand? I don't want to drop my car, that would be really bad, but I think if I'm carefull I should be ok. Any experienced mechanics or DIYSers, please share your knowledge. Thanks.

 

If you lift the car with the factory 'scissor' or pantograph jack, you should be okay on level ground, as long as it is stable (not a dirt driveway).

For shifter bushings, you only need to lift the driver's side of the car. Use the scissor jack to raise the car and then lower it down onto the jack stand, leaving the scissor jack in place for additional safety by supporting some of the weight.

Even when I need to raise the entire front end of my car, I will use two jack stands for support but if possible, I also leave the floor jack in position at the front crossmember jacking point for additional safety.

Just make sure that before you crawl under your vehicle, that both the jack stand(s) and jack are not cocked at some weird angle. They must sit flat on the floor to hold the vehicle's weight properly and safely. Don't rush when it comes to safety.

EDIT: Don't forget to set the parking brake and chock the wheels on the side that remains on the ground.

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0==WW==0
"…axles of evil…" - george w. bush

 

You should be fine. Just make sure that you either use a pinch weld adapter to use the factory points for jackstands OR place the jackstands under the subframe. If you use the factory points for jackstands without adapters they will bend and you won't be able to get that handy factory jack in there again. If you use the subframe points, make sure the car is stable and that the jackstand tops are not slippery. This will increase your "safety experience" GOOD LUCK.

pay attention to the Wingless Wonder re: chocking the non-lifted end of the car. Very important

 

Thanks Wingless and vaj, i appreciate you two taking the time to answer my question.