Jacking under differential
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,543
Likes: 0
I jack up my trucks a LOT, and they are always loaded. I mostly use the shock mounting point on the rear, but have also used the center of the diff. and have never had a problem but the diff. had a steel cover. On the front I just go under the spring mount, but I had a winch bumper on the front and used that in the center, it was 1/2" thick steel that was nice. You can get a 4 ton floor jack from harbor freight, it is a lot safer than the lighter ones with these trucks. I ALWAYS use jack stands when getting under the truck at all, even just doing the brakes. I had a 3 ton floor jack blow a seal once, but I was not under the truck when it came down. I would love to have an air assisted floor jack but don't want to spend the extra $'s, maybe when I get older I will.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,031
Likes: 13
I have used a floor jack in combination with a length of rectangle tube steel to spread the case of a 10.50 axle to ease the installation of the carrier when changing a ring and pinion when my axle spreader broke. I've been doing it this way ever since.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,748
Likes: 118
From: Tallassee, ALabama
Well, I look at it like this...
If Ford felt there was a problem raising the rear end by placing jack under the center of the differential housing, there would be a warning label on the housing and a warning in the owner's manual.
If Ford felt there was a problem raising the rear end by placing jack under the center of the differential housing, there would be a warning label on the housing and a warning in the owner's manual.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,875
Likes: 30
Thanks for the input. I know I won't be doing it. I'm also glad thinking back when I fixed a flat on the front of my wife's D@dge 3500 that I jacked under the radius arm mount That truck is diesel so you know its heavy.
I really didn't mean to open up a can of worms I respect everyone's opinion and emphasize like the respondents that safety is priority one.
I really didn't mean to open up a can of worms I respect everyone's opinion and emphasize like the respondents that safety is priority one.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,745
Likes: 72
From: West Virginia
There is a warning in the manual. In bold letters.
Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
I never really thought about it before, and have jacked up a lot of cars and trucks by the differential, and have never had a problem, but it does make sense that it could bend the axle tubes.
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Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 738
From: Isanti, MN
Ran across this thread in the F150 forum that seems relevant. Guy is wondering how his axle bent:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...a-new-one.html
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...a-new-one.html
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