Sizing my First Floor Jack for 850 Wagon...

[oragex]

Its one of the few ways you can actually kill yourself working on your car.

Ok, off to check my O2 sensor..

Do I see a welder and an arch near the gas tank?
The wheel is chalked. That's makes it right.

The chalked wheel only on one side makes me think actually the truck is on a slope road. And yes seems the master of safety if also welding at the gas tank. Safe work 101

ps. I remember a guy on a Honda forum tried this, after removing the tank from the car and draining the gas. No deal. Fortunately he didn't got hurt but had his lesson.

[1ezliving4ume]

for god sakes, NO CINDER BLOCKS!! Wood is your friend now go get under that car !!:):):) and check it out

[mf70]

One thing that has only been mentioned in passing: make sure the jack will fit under your jackpoints. My 40 year old Craftsman 2-ton has served impeccably all its life, but it barely fits under my V50 now.

The note about a slow-release valve was news to me, but it really makes sense.

And use jackstands or wood blocks for the actual support while you're underneath.

[tryingbe]

ps. I remember a guy on a Honda forum tried this, after removing the tank from the car and draining the gas. No deal. Fortunately he didn't got hurt but had his lesson.

Gas vapor burns quite nicely while liquid gas will just wet the match.

[plumsmooth]

Who said I am going underneath.. ha ha Tell you what though...

If I could pull off exhaust work why wouldn't I...

What else does one have to get underneath for?... Brake Lines?

I like the idea of being low from the side...

Honestly you think I want a bunch of rust and dirt particles falling in my face?

[erikv11]

Common stuff that requires you to get underneath:

O2 sensors, axle removal, turbo drain hose, turbo cooling hoses, timing belt job, some part of you is under the car any time you do any suspension work, fuel filter, oil change (but use ramps!), AC clutch gap, EVAP system leaks, figuring out where the exhaust leak is coming from, etc ...

[plumsmooth]

Thanks and pardon the over-jacking of this thread.
For me the current finish is deciding between a couple of given jacks to choose from.

If the 'curb' weight of me Wagon is 3300 Pounds and I want to safely lift a front, back, or side would twice the capacity be a good standard to work from. This 1.5 ton aluminum racing jack might be close but maybe a little undersized? with features maybe I do not need for my first Jack...?

This here 2.25 ton I can buy down the street for about 70 bucks excluding tax:
https://www.amazon.com/Wilmar-W1611-Perf ... B000HAX6MC

Coupons do not apply for Jacks at Harbor Freight hence 96 Dollars, lighter weight, more features, but 1/3 less capacity.

http://www.harborfreight.com/15-ton-com ... 60569.html

[j-dawg]

1.5 tons is plenty. You could nearly lift the entire car with that. If your entire car's weight is on one wheel or one axle, you definitely need to get that car checked out.

[erikv11]

My vote is (still) the HF jack.

It is more costly but I would highly prefer it over the WIlmar unit, which has a short arm (won't raise the car much) and narrow profile (not as stable). My comment about considering going up to 2 tons was unnecessary, it is clear that 1.5 ton capacity will be completely sufficient for the 850 wagon.

[tryingbe]

Little jack is much harder to use than a big one, ask anyone who used both.