[friedchicken]

I've had this jack for more than five years when working on my mid sized cars:

My family got bigger so we bought the van which weighs about 4,412 pounds.

I'm I okay with lifting just the front end for oil changes? The front of the van shouldn't over exceed more than 3000 pounds/1.5 tons which is the floor jack pictured above right?

Any physics gurus out there?

 

[Zembonez]

Have to figure at least SOME of the weight remains on the rear wheels when you lift the front up. You should be fine as long as the jack does the lifting without much protest and you use good jack stands before ever getting under the vehicle.

EDIT: For sheer safety sake, it might be a good time to upgrade to a larger capacity jack.

 

[akphs]

Yes, jack stands Jack Stands JACK STANDS. Too many stories of folks NOT using them and getting gradually crushed as a jack eases the car down and they get trapped.

 

[bepperb]

As you lift the van more of the weight will transfer to the rear wheels. That jack should be fine. It shouldn't matter because you ABSOLUTELY MUST USE JACK STANDS EVERY TIME NO EXCEPTIONS.

 

[Zembonez]

Did we mention jack stands yet?

 

[spicyTuna]

I've seen it first hand. My friend used a jack to hold one corner of his jeep up just to change the wheel when the jack slowly started to come back down. Luckily he jammed the loose wheel under it before went to the ground.


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

 

[bepperb]

Well, the way those jacks work is there is a screw, spring, ball type pressure relief valve. If the van is too heavy it won't lift it. The valve is adjustable (generally) and not very reliable and also prone to leak under pressure. And that's not the mention the other sources of pressure loss on a jack.

Most jacks can lift more than they can hold. But people assume the opposite... they assume it's harder to lift something than hold it (which it is) but the mechanics of the jack don't work that way.

 

[friedchicken]

Well, the way those jacks work is there is a screw, spring, ball type pressure relief valve. If the van is too heavy it won't lift it. The valve is adjustable (generally) and not very reliable and also prone to leak under pressure. And that's not the mention the other sources of pressure loss on a jack.

Most jacks can lift more than they can hold. But people assume the opposite... they assume it's harder to lift something than hold it (which it is) but the mechanics of the jack don't work that way.

The only thing I hate about this particular jack is that if you release the valve very quick, it lowers the car fast and slams down. You've got to ease up on the release valve to lower it slowly. I guess they don't call it a racing jack for nothing. ehh?

Thanks for you replies.

 

[Biggoldfish]

Jack stands or ramps rated to EXCEED the vehicle weight.