Using 4 jacks safe?

[tlej@live.com]

I want to change the MTF in my 2000 Prelude.. I've got the Prelude jack, a jack from my grandmas 07 CRV, a jack from my moms 09 coupe civic, and a jack from my 93 accord...

is there a proper way to do this, or is it just not a good idea...

[deevergote]

It's a terrible idea.
Jack stands are not expensive. Neither are ramps and wheel chocks. For what you need to do, either stands or ramps will work just fine. Never trust a jack to do anything but raise the car so a jackstand can be placed under it. ESPECIALLY if you're going to be crawling under the car!

Not too long ago, someone posted a story on an S2000 forum about a guy that was under his car, and the jack failed. He was crushed to death... though he didn't die instantly. The weight of the car essentially smothered him. NOT a pretty way to go out, and not something you want your loved ones to find unexpectedly!

[tlej@live.com]

Thanks, I was hoping someone would respond with an answer like this. I'm obviously no expert, but this settles it for me, "Never trust a jack to do anything but raise the car so a jackstand can be placed under it"..

So what makes a jack stand so much safer than a jack? Because they actual lock into place right?

The reason I'm changing my MTF is because it had metal shavings in it. I missed a gear, and now it grinds into 5th at high RPM's, and sometimes struggles to get into reverse with out grinding some.

I've seen a lot about using GM Syncromesh (w/ Friction Modifiers).. but idk. I just got 2 qts of Honda MTF at the dealership. Crossing my fingers on this

[deevergote]

Syncromesh is reported to be better than Honda MTF, but both are good. Neither will fix physical damage, but it might help what's left work a bit better.

And yes, the jack stands are designed to hold the car up. They're locked in place, and planted solidly. No jack sits on as wide a base, and the jack is made to go up and down... occasionally, they may go down when you're not expecting it!

[tlej@live.com]

Would mixing a qt of each hurt?

[deevergote]

I don't imagine it would. I don't know if it would be as effective, or if the mix would make it less effective... I don't know enough about that stuff to say for sure one way or the other.

[tlej@live.com]

Yeah, I wouldn't want them to cancel each other out or something.. That might not be good.

Last question, so generally speaking, when I drain out my 2-3 qts.. How many is REALLY still in the car? 6? 9? I can't get an exact answer. I know it depends on the car, but let's say for a 2000 5 speed Prelude.. How much usually comes out when draining from the drain bolt? How much is still left?

[deevergote]

A drain and fill is only 2 quarts (or 1.8...) I'm not 100% certain how much it holds (and I don't feel like running outside and uncovering my project car to get my Helm manual for the specifics), but it would be only slightly over 2 quarts total, I believe. You drain most of it when you remove the plug.

Automatics hold quite a bit more.

[buzz11]

I want to change the MTF in my 2000 Prelude.. I've got the Prelude jack, a jack from my grandmas 07 CRV, a jack from my moms 09 coupe civic, and a jack from my 93 accord...

is there a proper way to do this, or is it just not a good idea...

I thought about that also. I had 4 jacks from various cars and wanted to do a quick drain and fill. But I did not want to trust my life on it! I only had 2 jackstands and a ramp. Long story short, I ended up raising my rear with the ramp and using the jack stands for the fronts. It worked out well. I cant use the ramp for the front due to my front end being too low so i raised the car this way. Listen to deev and do not use a regular jack if you plan to go underneath the car.

[Leung]

I've learned my lesson to never get underneath a car unless it is supported by jack stand. My mom bought me a new Craftsman 2 ton jack and that thing will raise a car but after a few minutes it loses pressure or something and begins to lower itself. I still use the jack but never without a jack stand.

[jeffy93]

No to Tue 4 jacks. Yes to the jackstands. My friend lost his father due to crawling under his race car with just a Jack and it slipped and crushed him ever since then I. Never get under a car without jackstands holding it up. I bitch at friends that Jack their cars up n start crawling under it without a jackstand. Just like explained its not worth loosing your life or your family coming home to find you crushed to death.

[Bad_dude]

Dude, a pair of jack stands are only $17 at Sears.

[lucifer1]

The stock jacks are very dangerous. They not will take any side movement. I have tried using two of them as short stands when trying to get my Integra off the ground when layed out. When using a floor jack on the opposite end they folded over.

After that, I feel unsafe using them in an emergency.

[Leung]

The stock jacks are very dangerous. They not will take any side movement. I have tried using two of them as short stands when trying to get my Integra off the ground when layed out. When using a floor jack on the opposite end they folded over.

After that, I feel unsafe using them in an emergency.

Just be smart when using the emergency jack in the trunk as it was only meant for a quick tire change on the side of the road. Of course you can't use it on a surface that was not hard or levelled as that's just dangerous. Also you do not want to be underneath the car when using that jack; keep your head and any extremities out from underneath the car when using it to change a tire and you should be safe unless some asshat t-bones the car and flips it on top of you as you'd be SOL in that case.

[Turbo617]

If you ever decide to use a jack, put the tire(s) underneath your car. friend of mine was doing a brake job, his Jack decided to lower the car on it's own. it landed right on the tire. if it didn't my friends legs would've been toast.

Never trust a factory Jack, only use it for it's intended purpose or if your car is lowered and you need it to raise the car to put the jack on it.


( I know it's common knowledge but it's just a friendly reminder. )