Proper Jacking Locations

stan35

stan35

Member
Hi guys! I have a 1935 cabriolet and would like to know the proper location to place a floor jack when lifting the car. I have never come across any information on this matter. Is it ok to lift at the axle or should it be at the frame? I plan on setting the car on stands after it is lifted. All advice is appreciated.
 
To place on jack stands, I like to lift at the center of each axle....ONE end first, set down on jack stands, and then the other end. DD
 
Stan
That would depend on what you are going to do on the car, whether you want the suspension supporting the car, or hanging down.
Bruce
 
I would avoid jacking at the center of the front I beam, I jack on the front cross member behind the axel. At the rear I jack on the pumkin, then set jack stands. Good luck, be careful.
 
us054382 said:
I would avoid jacking at the center of the front I beam, I jack on the front cross member behind the axel. At the rear I jack on the pumkin, then set jack stands. Good luck, be careful.
Click to expand...

Hmmm......Front crossmember is in front of axle on a '35. Curious as to why you would avoid jacking at center of axle? DD
 
I should have said 'at the crossmember in front of the axel, (a senior moment). I was once told by an old mechanic to avoid the center of the axel as it may bend, he said to only jack towards the shackle ends. He said these early axel we made to 'twist', which suggest that they will bend given enough stress.
 
Bending an axle with a floor jack is something I would like to see! Believe the axles is a little stronger than that.
 
JSeery

Ditto that!

I worked in Detroit at a Ford Dealership (Bob Ford, Ford) in the 50's one of my jobs was front end alignments. The tools required for straight axle bending looked similar to what was used on small locomotives. I'm sure placing the hydraulic floor jack under the center of the front axle would not damage it!

Mark
 
us054382 said:
I should have said 'at the crossmember in front of the axel, (a senior moment). I was once told by an old mechanic to avoid the center of the axel as it may bend, he said to only jack towards the shackle ends. He said these early axel we made to 'twist', which suggest that they will bend given enough stress.
Click to expand...

As JSeery and Bruce say above, the I-beam axles ARE capable of twisting without bending. A V8-Ford I-beam axle won't "bend" in the middle while jacking-up the normal front end weight.

Below is a pic of a beam axle that Ford displayed in the '30s to indicate it's designed
220295
ability to safely twist. DD
 
You could install "Jack" plates made from 3/8 thick angle iron. They are bolted in place using holes already in the stock 40 Ford frame. 35 might be the same. The photo with 2 pads is on the front of the car. The other is in the rear. Metal shims ( big flat washers) are placed between the angle iron and the frame to make the pad sit level. Prevents marring and bending of frame rails and provides solid surface for jack. Work great.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5400b.jpg
    IMG_5400b.jpg
    174.4 KB · Views: 68
  • IMG_5401b.jpg
    IMG_5401b.jpg
    129.8 KB · Views: 50
Last edited:
19Fordy said:
You could install "Jack" plates made from 3/8 thick angle iron. They are bolted in place using holes already in the stock 40 Ford frame. 35 might be the same. The photo with 2 pads is on the front of the car. The other is in the rear. Metal shims ( big flat washers) are placed between the angle iron and the frame to make the pad sit level. Prevents marring and bending of frame rails and provides solid surface for jack. Work great.
Click to expand...

Nice!
 
19Fordy said:
You could install "Jack" plates made from 3/8 thick angle iron. They are bolted in place using holes already in the stock 40 Ford frame. 35 might be the same. The photo with 2 pads is on the front of the car. The other is in the rear. Metal shims ( big flat washers) are placed between the angle iron and the frame to make the pad sit level. Prevents marring and bending of frame rails and provides solid surface for jack. Work great.
Click to expand...

This is a brilliant idea! I'll have to see if I can put some under my '36.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top