Can You Jack a Car Up on Both Sides

How high can I jack up one side of my car?

2007 ford focus

I have jack stands that are about 13.5inches high at the lowest setting.

I need to jack up the front end of my car on both sides, the front frame is only about 6.5inches off the ground.

I started to jack it but stopped because it seemed like an extreme angle on the non jacked side... is it safe to go another few inches in order to get the jack stands under?

or do i need to go shopping for smaller stands?

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level 1

you might be able to jack up from the middle of the engine crossmember then put the jack stands under both sides. chock your rear wheels and pull the e-brake hard.

be careful jacking on a cross member. if it looks like it's starting to dent, stop.

jacking from one side should also be fine.

level 2

Cars often have a central forward and rear jacking point that should be specified in the user manual or in the maintenance manuals. It is worth the five minutes it takes to Google where they are before you go "jacking shit up."

level 1

First questions first: What type of jack? Bottle? Hydraulic? Scissor? Other?

With a hydraulic floor jack, it won't be an issue. I would not do it with a bottle jack, and would never consider a scissor jack except in an emergency.

They all have different characteristics when jacking...So it very much depends on that...

level 2

standard floor jack... 3 ton

level 1

You could always find a spot on the front cradle in the middle of the vehicle and jack up the entire front end at once. When it's high enough, put your stands under the vehicle behind the front tires in the recommended jacking spots. Just make sure you find a spot in the front on a cradle or something that will be strong enough for it. I'm a GM tech so I'm not sure how Ford does it, but I do this alot at work. Even if I'm only swapping one tire on the front I'll jack up the entire front end.

level 2

I wouldn't try and jack one side at a time like you were talking. This is the way to do it. Usually there is a cross member just in front or behind the engine that is strong enough for this. Just go slow at first and keep an eye on what you're jacking on and if it starts bending or creaking stop and find a new lift point.

level 1

A related question - is it a good idea to jack up only one side and put a stand only under one side?

level 2

I mean, some people have gone further with it...

But seriously, yes you can jack up just one side. Just be careful how high you're jacking the car up if you're tires are low profile and harder rubber. We almost tipped my friends Miata over once but we were lifting the side we were jacking up pretty high.

level 1

If I need to get my car high up I will put the car on jackstands at a lower setting, then jack up the each side a few inches at a time, raising the jackstands along the way.

level 2

the jack stands are at the lowest setting already... normally that is what i would do

level 1

Literally speaking: until the center of gravity exceeds the base

level 1

Your title is contradicting, what do you mean jack up one side of your car? Tell me what tires will be off the ground...

level 2

driver side tires... most would assume there are only 2 "sides" to a car

port side, if you are a sailor

level 1

· 5y P0218

Without being there and seeing how far you're jacking it up, hard to say.

I would find a spot where you can jack it up from the front so both sides go up. Like on the subframe.

level 1

Your fine. Ive jacked a car up far enough it lifts the rear end 6inchs as well. It will settle when you lower it onto the jackstand. It wont hurt anything.

Can You Jack a Car Up on Both Sides

Source: https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicAdvice/comments/4upx52/how_high_can_i_jack_up_one_side_of_my_car/

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