Correct jacking procedure

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djrobot

New Member
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71
Hi I have a landrover defender 1994 and am a newbie but learning fast ;-)
I want to change my suspension to minimum +2" lift (as I already stated in another thread).
I just bought a 3 ton trolley jack and two axle stands.
What would be the correct and safe procedure to go about jacking and changing the suspension at each corner?
Please could you list best jacking points to achieve this as wel as any safety advice.
I applologised if this has already been explained a 1000 times...if there is a guide on this forum please could someone post a link ;/)
Thanks in advance, Rob
 
jack the car up on the centre diff with your trolley jack

use your axle stands on the chassis rails

remove trolley jack

change suspension at your leisure
 
Seeing as you want the axle to dangle for doing this, you might as well jack on the chassis in the first place.

Axle stands often have a cup shaped pad at the top to go under axles, so it's worth being super careful that they're well seated under the chassis and aren't going to slip off if you rock the vehicle.
 
i would do one corner at a time, jack on chassis till no weight on spring, shove wheel under chassis next to jack and get to work
 
Jack either the body or the axle then support the body with suitable axle or preferably chassis stands; chassis stands tend to have a wider square shaped top unlike axle stands which generally have a rounded top to fit under an axle.
With the body supported securely, remove the jack and place it under the axle so that the weight might be taken when you undo the shock absorber which tend to extend to their fullest extent.
One thing I've always found easier to do is to get your spring compressors in place with the weight of the vehicle on them before lowering the axle.
 
i prefer jacking on the centre of the diff as it means i can get both wheels off the ground at the same time then i can just pop the axle stands under the rails from either side. saves a smidge of time.

at no point do i go under the car until it is on the stands securely
 
Piece of 4x4 timber (see what I did there) across/under chassis rails and jack on that, may need two shorter pieces under rails so long piece clears gearbox etc depending on where you jack
Timber wont slip and is safer than metal on metal, I always use timber on the jack and have various off cuts for blocking up etc.
 
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