Jack stand placement (RHD)

UKTJ

UKTJ

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I have found a couple of threads on jack stand placement, but neither mentioned the issue I seem to have. This may be RHD specific I guess.

I want to fit an upgraded steering kit, so assumed I could just jack the axle and then put stands under it at the base of the lower control arm. Fine on the left side as you look at the front of the TJ (my driver), but on the right hand side there is a flag nut tab protruding down which stops me putting a stand under the axle here...
u3J018.&owa=outlook.live.com&scriptVer=20220225004.jpg

It looks like the nut on the back of the bolt for the track bar.

Is this the same (maybe reversed) on LHD TJs? Any suggestions on jack stand placement. Sorry if this is a dumb question, but this is new territory for me :oops:
 
image1.png

I have it so one of my jacks will fit right here (see arrow) It's one of my smaller 3-tonne jacks but often have it there when doing simple jobs and normally as a backup to my jack which is often right where you have that jack.

I believe there was a thread either here or on another forum where a few people even shaved down their jacks just a tad so they would fit there.
 
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There shouldn't be any interference with the flag nut you have plenty of room. I put stands under the control arm at the same spot with the flag nut pointed down no problems. Rhd or Lhd shouldn't matter either.

IMG_20210412_175843_3.jpg
 
Kid Mechanic said:
Also, be aware that placing a jack stand or just using a jack on a surface that may be soft due to rain, etc. can cause the device being used to sink into the ground. Try to spread out the load with a firm base to avoid any mishaps.
Click to expand...
As we have a gravel driveway I have swept the gravel away from under the axle. This exposes the subsurface, referred to as MOT 1, which is a mixture of sizes which when compacted forms a very solid but permeable layer. Jack and stands are standing on this.
 
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JeepingNet said:
View attachment 316746
I have it so one of my jacks will fit right here (see arrow) It's one of my smaller 3-tonne jacks but often have it there when doing simple jobs and normally as a backup to my jack which is often right where you have that jack.

I believe there was a thread either here or on another forum where a few people even shaved down their jacks just a tad so they would fit there.
Click to expand...
Yes, I did try that spot, but as you imply the ‘cradle’ of the stand is a bit too wide to fit without some modification.
 
97' 4 Popper said:
There shouldn't be any interference with the flag nut you have plenty of room. I put stands under the control arm at the same spot with the flag nut pointed down no problems. Rhd or Lhd shouldn't matter either.

View attachment 316750
Click to expand...
I was not sure if putting the stand under the control arm was a good spot, hence why I was trying to fit it under the axle itself. My logic was that supporting under the control arm means the whole weight of the Jeep being supported is held on just the two bolts securing the two control arms to the control arm mounts. Felt a bit risky to me, but maybe I am being too conservative.
 
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UKTJ said:
I was not sure if putting the stand under the control arm was a good spot, hence why I was trying to fit it under the axle itself. My logic was that supporting under the control arm means the whole weight of the Jeep being supported is held on just the two bolts securing the two control arms to the control arm mounts. Felt a bit risky to me, but maybe I am being too conservative.
Click to expand...
You are good to go. If you really want the stands on the axle tubes there is no reason why you couldn't throw a stand under the spot jeeping net was talking about.
 
UKTJ said:
As we have a gravel driveway I have swept the gravel away from under the axle. This exposes the subsurface, referred to as MOT 1, which is a mixture of sizes which when compacted forms a very solid but permeable layer. Jack and stands are standing on this.
Click to expand...
Concrete have no fear asphalt always use wooden boards. I haven't done much car repair on gravel surfaces but they seem to hold up for a few hours atleast without sinking in. Don't have any experience with what you are talking about but if it holds it holds. Be safe if in doubt use wood
 
UKTJ said:
I was not sure if putting the stand under the control arm was a good spot, hence why I was trying to fit it under the axle itself. My logic was that supporting under the control arm means the whole weight of the Jeep being supported is held on just the two bolts securing the two control arms to the control arm mounts. Felt a bit risky to me, but maybe I am being too conservative.
Click to expand...

I don't like doing it on the control arm joint either, which is why I do it in the spot you originally proposed. The flag really doesn't care. If it touches the jack, you can just bend it out of the way.

If you can remove the tie rods from the knuckles, you should be able to do it without jacking it up. This would only be the case though if you have aftermarket wheels with less backspacing than factory which allows access to disconnect the tie rods from the knuckles.
 
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TheBoogieman said:
What upgraded steering kit requires you to jack it up?
Click to expand...

Any kit that ends up installed on a TJ with factory wheels or aftermarket ones with similar to factory backspacing. The wheel envelops the knuckle such that you can't disconnect the tie rod or drag link from the knuckle without removing the wheel first.
 
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freedom_in_4low said:
I don't like doing it on the control arm joint either, which is why I do it in the spot you originally proposed. The flag really doesn't care. If it touches the jack, you can just bend it out of the way.

If you can remove the tie rods from the knuckles, you should be able to do it without jacking it up. This would only be the case though if you have aftermarket wheels with less backspacing than factory which allows access to disconnect the tie rods from the knuckles.
Click to expand...

Thanks, good to know my instincts are not wildly off. Yes, stock wheels, so sounds like they need to come off. It struck me that I can just remove the flag nut and leave the bolt in holding the track bar on, so that is what I have done.
 
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UKTJ said:
As we have a gravel driveway I have swept the gravel away from under the axle. This exposes the subsurface, referred to as MOT 1, which is a mixture of sizes which when compacted forms a very solid but permeable layer. Jack and stands are standing on this.
Click to expand...
We used to call it Hogging when I were a lad in UK, we used it under driveways and concrete as a compacted sub base on top of the sub grade.
 
JeepingNet said:
View attachment 316746
I have it so one of my jacks will fit right here (see arrow) It's one of my smaller 3-tonne jacks but often have it there when doing simple jobs and normally as a backup to my jack which is often right where you have that jack.

I believe there was a thread either here or on another forum where a few people even shaved down their jacks just a tad so they would fit there.
Click to expand...
I cut one of my stands down to fit. I took 5mm off both sides as you can see in the photos.

IMG_1882.JPG


IMG_1887.JPG
 
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