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Old 08-13-2009, 09:46 PM   #1
RhinoRex
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Rochester, Illinois
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2002 WRX Wagon
WR Blue

Default Need help with jack stands

I'm going to change my own brake pads for the first time ever next week. I have some questions about putting the car on jack stands.

Can I put it up on one jack stand at a time? That seems to me like it would twist the car. If I do it two at a time, should it be front then back or passenger then driver. Or do I need to get it up on all 4 jack stands?

Right now, I only have the jack that came with the car. If I use that jack and do more than one jack stand at a time, that will mean jacking it up, getting the jackstand underneath, then moving the jack and jacking up the next wheel. Again, I'm concerned about twisting the car and about whether that would rock the first jack stand. Is it important to get a floor jack?

I am working on a 2002 WRX Wagon. I read the instructions at scoobymods, but those use a floor jack and he does not use the jack points that the manual recommends.

So how should I go about this? Any advice is welcome. Sorry for being so compulsive, but it's my first time doing this and brakes are serious.
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Old 08-13-2009, 10:18 PM   #2
nkx
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i would definitely invest in a floor jack. you could probably change your pads without one, but that way would involve jacking up either the whole left or right side and doing the front and rear on that particular side at once. problem this way is going to be getting a jackstand to support the car in the same place youve just lifted it at.
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Old 08-14-2009, 01:24 AM   #3
RhinoRex
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nkx View Post
i would definitely invest in a floor jack. you could probably change your pads without one, but that way would involve jacking up either the whole left or right side and doing the front and rear on that particular side at once. problem this way is going to be getting a jackstand to support the car in the same place youve just lifted it at.
That was one of the things I was thinking about because there isn't much room at those recommended lift points.

I saw a floor jack and 2 jack stands at autozone for $40. I think I'll get those.

This may be a stupid question, but is there any advantage or disadvantage to putting the car up on all 4 jack stands? Or should I just do fronts and backs?

Thank you both for replying.
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Old 08-14-2009, 03:33 AM   #4
Charlie-III
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I typically don't lift the whole car up, I do an end or a side at one time.

As to a "set for $40" from ANYWHERE is not going to last. If you plan on doing lots of regular maintenance I would save up and get a decent 2-3 ton floor jack. It's going to be close to $100 but it's worth it in the long run.

A nice Sears Craftsman steel one will work, the "cheap" Craftsman aluminum one looks great, but many have had seal issues.
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Old 08-14-2009, 10:07 AM   #5
rkramer
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie-III View Post
As to a "set for $40" from ANYWHERE is not going to last. If you plan on doing lots of regular maintenance I would save up and get a decent 2-3 ton floor jack. It's going to be close to $100 but it's worth it in the long run.
Mine cost under $20 at walmart, 5 years ago. I use them ALOT and have never had an issue. Rule #1, you NEVER trust a single point of failure when your body being squished is on the line. I've never had a cheap jack stand fail, but I've never given it the chance to fail and kill me either.
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Old 08-14-2009, 12:58 PM   #6
leecea
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Doing brake pads is very simple and you are not under the car or at any significant risk, so I'd be OK with the cheap stands.

I'm pretty paranoid when I'm getting under the car and I was able to get the Sears 4-ton stands on sale. Their size and the width of their base makes me feel safer.
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Old 08-13-2009, 11:01 PM   #7
yarrgh
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think of it this way: whenever you drive around on a non-perfect surface, it's going to twist the chassis somewhat.

If you plan on doing a lot of your own maintenance, invest in a jack + stands. It helps a whole lot. And don't forget the torque wrench for your brakes.
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Old 08-14-2009, 08:56 AM   #8
bluescoobywagon
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I've had one of these (mine's gray) for 17-18 years. It's never leaked and still works like new. I use it a lot, too. I will admit that it's a bit small for lifting heavier cars, but a little excersize is good for you.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...ment+%26+Jacks

EDIT: I dunno, maybe a better one?

Last edited by bluescoobywagon; 08-14-2009 at 09:00 AM. Reason: Hmm... The reviews don't look good for that one. What's up with that?
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Old 08-18-2009, 12:40 AM   #9
nkx
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well you can only get the frame rails behind the front wheels. at the rear, i put my jackstands under the little plate that ties the rear crossmember outriggers to the body, just in front of the rear wheels. as far as the torque wrench, im not sure. it is hard to get something that bulky back there. i just make the bolts farking tight with a 1/2" drive ratchet.
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Old 08-18-2009, 12:19 PM   #10
leecea
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Quote:
i just make the bolts farking tight with a 1/2" drive ratchet.
Whoa - wait a minute. The bolts that hold the caliper to the sliding pins are pretty small. Don't go crazy on them. Torque spec is 27 ft/lbs.

I think once the car is up and the wheel if off, you'll be able to get the torque wrench on the bottom bolt, which is the only one you need to remove since you're swinging the caliper up. You'd be better off with a smaller 3/8" drive torque wrench, but you can make do with what you have.
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Old 08-18-2009, 12:41 AM   #11
nkx
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oops5

Last edited by nkx; 08-18-2009 at 12:43 AM. Reason: double post
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