Jack Stand Safety Question

[TechWrench]

For $20 just get a second set of jackstands.

I don't disagree. For anything more involved than just rotating tires, I use 4 jackstands, but it still means you have to lift one end of the vehicle with a jack, while the other end is already on the stands, in order to place the 2nd set under the vehicle. And I wouldn't recommend using an unstable bottle jack to perform this procedure.

 

[MyFirstRunner]

Thanks for all of the feedback. Ended up getting a second set of jack stands and a 3 ton lo-profile trolley jack from Harbor Freight. Glad I did. Turns out the stands weren't high enough to lift the 4Runner but made the job easy on my wife's TSX.

 

[nevada]

I think there's a bigger issue at hand if your having to get underneath the truck while your rotating tires.

Seriously though I get the safety aspect everyone's singing about but really guys. The front would be secure on jack stands, presumably the OP is on level ground.. I hope... I doubt it would be that much of an issue to just have the rear elevated enough to get the tires off..

simple process if you only have two jack stands.. jack up the front or rear secure that end of the vehicle on stands. take that end of the vehicles tires off. move to the other end of the vehicle. Brake loose the lug nuts, Jack that end of the vehicle up. When you take a tire off, put one of the rotated tires back on, move to the other side. Complete that end of the vehicle. Put that end of the vehicle back on the ground.. move back to the other end of the vehicle, put the remaining tires back on in the appropriate position..

Don't get under the vehicle if you feel the vehicle is not stable in anyway..


You can have ten jack stands.. its still dangerous to get under a vehicle.. Take risks, get it done, move on, live life..

Oh by the way someone may hit you if you drive your vehicle on public roads.. best to keep it in the driveway if you want to avoid a wreck.

agreed, it can be done and safely.

Correct, I'm just rotating tires, I would not be getting under the car.

Can a bottle jack accommodate that process?

yes. if that's all you've got, it will work just fine.

What is the safest way to get it up on 4 ? In the past, I would jack up the front, then lower it down on 2 jack stands. I would then jack up the rear, then put it down on 2 jack stands. It has worked for me, but it makes me nervous when the Front is on jack stands, and I am jacking up the rear, with the weight pivioting on the front jack stands.

I suggest using the stands on the rear axle. the round axle tube will sit better in the stand. also the rear suspension will drop straight down, unlike the front, that will tend to want to slide the stands out, as the suspension compresses. sometimes that can cause an issue of the stand tipping up a bit, or ever falling over.

if jack stands are used correctly, they can be very stable.