Jacking up rear on diff. housing
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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Jacking up rear on diff. housing
I have been having brake work done (for years) at a shop that uses a contact jack on the differential housing.They don't have lift racks. Even on a '81 full size Dodge van that I own. They apparently seem to think it's OK and have always done this. Is this OK on the older vehicles. I need feedback from those who really know-thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Baileyton, TN
It is possible to damage the housing, by lifting the end of the vehicle up by it. I have seen a cracked diff housing on a 1 ton, that was lifted by such a means - I never allow anyone to use a jack on mine, I make very sure of that, standing close by, and glowering.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
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From: Atlanta GA
It is more okay on older vehicles then newer ones because older vehicles have heavier rear axle housings, in general. On newer vehicles I would not try it, you can destroy a newer Camaro just by giving it a regular front end tow, I do not think I would try lifting it several feet off the ground by the rear axle.
I do not know what you mean by a contact jack or what it is. I have seen rear end lifts that lift by the rear pumpkin and the brackets that you stand up near the end of the axle tubes so it lifts in three places.
Do they lift it entirely by the pumpkin and then lower it onto jackstands?
I know when you lift a light duty truck by the pumpkin you can actually see the ends of the axle deflect downwards. It is not something I would go out of my way to do.
I do not know what you mean by a contact jack or what it is. I have seen rear end lifts that lift by the rear pumpkin and the brackets that you stand up near the end of the axle tubes so it lifts in three places.
Do they lift it entirely by the pumpkin and then lower it onto jackstands?
I know when you lift a light duty truck by the pumpkin you can actually see the ends of the axle deflect downwards. It is not something I would go out of my way to do.
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Rebocardo-yes they lift it by the pumpkin and then lower it on jackstands. This shop has a very good reputation..I've seen quite a few customs and specialty vehicles come in this shop, however once a musclehead mechanic got carried away on the front-end of my '77 Nova with the same type jack and it slipped off the front-crossmember and damaged the oil pan to where the owner bought that one.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Texas panhandle
I jacked up my 91 Explorer rear end in the middle with a floor jack. The next morning all the rear axle lube was on the shop floor. Cracked the cover, it is plastic!!!!!!! It's got a nice chrome one now.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Kansas
The owners manual says not to jack up the vehicle by using the rear diff. I have done it but only with no load. I can see where it would not take much to crack the housing.
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The vehicles I've lifted by the diff and havn't had any problems are:
- 79 CJ5 with waggy AMC 20 rear
- 84 Ford Ranger with stock rear
- 02 Chevy Extreme with stock rear
- 68 J3000 with D53 rear
- 92 Jeep Cherokee with stock front and rear
- 79 CJ5 with waggy AMC 20 rear
- 84 Ford Ranger with stock rear
- 02 Chevy Extreme with stock rear
- 68 J3000 with D53 rear
- 92 Jeep Cherokee with stock front and rear
Elder User
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Even with the steel covers there was a chance that you could catch the cover
with the jack pad retainer lugs and bend it resulting in a leak. As far as cracking the
cast steel housing I sure hope not or I wouldn't want to put the torque of an engine
against it. I have rebuilt Dana's Rockwell's and some others I only saw one housing
fail that was a Rockwell that broke the differential cross.I think jacking them with the housing requires one thing care and common sense.
with the jack pad retainer lugs and bend it resulting in a leak. As far as cracking the
cast steel housing I sure hope not or I wouldn't want to put the torque of an engine
against it. I have rebuilt Dana's Rockwell's and some others I only saw one housing
fail that was a Rockwell that broke the differential cross.I think jacking them with the housing requires one thing care and common sense.