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Prius Jackstand position

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Mendel Leisk, Oct 5, 2013.

  1. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    These pictures are 3rd gen, but second gen underbody I believe is very similar. I don't like the way the front end of the car sits on jack stands, using the crimped lower edge.

    Someone here (Hobbit?) has a how-to oil change page, showing these jack locations. I've adopted the same, finding it much more solid/stable. For the rear, I do go with the crimped edge, the weight is a lot less. Anyway:

    jackstand01.JPG jackstand02.JPG jackstand03.JPG jackstand04.JPG
     
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  2. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    I guess I'm not too crazy about balancing the front end of the car on one jack stand. Different definition of stable, I guess.

    I'll continue to use the jack points on the pinch flanges.

    [The OP has responded that he's using two supports in the front--they're just not visible in the pictures he showed]
     
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I am using two points at the front, LOL. They're just inward a bit.
     
  4. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    It does look like a suitable point, but be sure to check the area for signs of bending or deformation following the procedure.

    Anything to report? No damage or sign of impending failure in the area? ;)
     
  5. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    Likewise, I would prefer to jack up the car only on the Toyota "approved" points, meaning the front and back center points and the four pinch weld points on the rockers.

    While the jacking points that the OP appear to be stable, those places are not designed or intended as supporting places for the corner weight of the car, and may be bent or deformed.

    I proposed a jacking adapter that is designed for the "flat top" aluminum racing jack widely sold by Harbor Freight and others. It would also serve well for jackstands. It distributes the weight of the corner of the car to a wide area both inside and outside the pinch weld. It bends to react to the weight of the car. The pinch weld will also settle on the bottom of the adapter to provide another supporting line for the weight.

    I have posted photos.
     

    Attached Files:

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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    No, it's very thick, looks fine after 5 or 6 times. A little paint scuffing at most. It's a main longitudinal rail. The clearest pic is maybe the top one. I usually set it a little further back, you can see the paint scuffing. I'm placing the jack stand cradle near the front end of this rail, which is around 2" wide, 3"~4" high.

    What I did notice to be a little caved: the front central jacking point, and I'm using a hard rubber pad on floor jack.
     
  7. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    Where can I get one of them adapters?
     
  8. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    I think I'll try your spots after I get around to getting some urethane jackstand pads to prevent scuffing the paint on the rails.

    SCH-I535 now Free
     
  9. drysider

    drysider Active Member

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    They are available on eBay.
     
  10. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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  11. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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  12. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    They WILL work with jack stands. I am NOT, however, allowed to solicit business on PriusChat. I am considering offering them for sale on the PriusChat Shop, but that might be NEXT year, since I can't make them in quantity easily and would have to get a manufacturer.
     
  13. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Not the eBay ones that I linked. They are made for a floor jack. Normally the drill would be, jack up car at pinch weld lift point, place jack stand.

    SCH-I535 now Free
     
  14. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    Maybe NOT that one, unless you cut off and grind down the stem.

    Unfortunately, the design of jack stands NEVER made the jump to UNIBODY cars. The their are made for cars with frames. No manufacture has made one with a slot on the top to accommodate a "pinch weld."


    I bought these on Amazon, last year;



    I've used them with my jacking blacks, and they work just fine.

    They would, however be ideal, if there was a slot milled or sawed on their tops to accommodate the "pinch welds" on my Prius"v." They will be a future project. I don't think it would weaken their tops. It wouldn't be tough to mill a couple of 7/8 inch deep slots through the side wall of the tune and the aluminum top pad, and then, to cut off the remaining top pad with a hack saw.
     
  15. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    That's interesting. Almost every jack stand that is pictured when I search google for "jack stand" has a slot to accommodate a pinch weld or Unibody.

    And I bought mine from Harbor Freight years ago and they work great on a Prius!
     
  16. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    More photos of "pinch weld" adapters on jack stands. Enjoy!
     

    Attached Files:

  17. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    Some photos, please?
     
  18. gliderman

    gliderman Active Member

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    Here is one so you know what they look like. Everybody sells this type and have for years.

    jackstands.jpg
     
  19. Jonny Zero

    Jonny Zero Giggidy

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    I have the same jack stands. The "mouth" is too wide to securely attach to the designated jack point.

    Also there is not enough material in the Y direction, to not dent the jack point. :(
     
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  20. Mike500

    Mike500 Senior Member

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    Yeah!

    They will dent the inside and outside of the rockers on each side of the "pinch weld."
     
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