JAck points- E350?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 302
Likes: 1
From: Near Atlantic City, NJ
JAck points- E350?
I have a 15 passenger extended Ford E350 van. I need to jack up the rear-can I use the rear diff. as a jack point, or will that possibly be damaged with all the weight? How about the axle tubes? The van weighs in at about 7500 pounds. Could I bend the axle tubes by resting them on jack stands? I need to rotate the tires so all four corners will be in the air at once.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,033
Likes: 137
From: Maryville
The axle is the jacking point, the factory jack is designed to go under the axle between the ubolts under the leaf spring in the rear, front goes under the radius arm at the I-beam, one side at a time. You can place a floor jack under the pumpkin at the rear, jacking bot sides at the same time, as long as the jack is capable of handling the weight. Always use jack stands before getting under the van, be certain they are capable of holding the weight and placed under the frame, not body.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
> I need to rotate the tires so all four corners will be in the air at once.
imo, Lifting all four wheels off the ground at the same time and removing all four tires at the same time is just an accident waiting to happen even using good jack stands.
Just do one side at a time.
imo, Lifting all four wheels off the ground at the same time and removing all four tires at the same time is just an accident waiting to happen even using good jack stands.
Just do one side at a time.
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 302
Likes: 1
From: Near Atlantic City, NJ
Alright, all done. I jacked the rear with my new Michelin 3.5 ton floor jack, and put the 6 ton jack stands under the axle. Then I jacked the front one side at a time with a scissor jack, got them all rotated. So basically there were only three tires off the vehicle at once....The jack paid for itself already! The van was rock solid sitting on those stands.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 8
This is bad advice! Especially on Econolines b/c the pumpkin is not in the middle & many Econolines might be carrying a load! In general practice, some rear axles assemblies have the tubes press fit into the pumpkin, they simply are not designed to support the weight if used as a jack point. There have been many cases where rear ends were ruined, requiring replacement, only b/c the vehicle was jacked up at the pumpkin! The cover can also get pranged doing this surprisingly easily, resulting in leakage that might not be immediately evident. Similarly front drive cars can easily have rear tube axles bent by lazy mechanics jacking at the center, also trailer axles.
Although I've seen people getting away with this as recently as last week, it is NOT A SAFE PRACTICE . Don't be lazy or foolish, be safe & secure.
Jack at each side under the springs or as close as possible.
Originally Posted by maples01
You can place a floor jack under the pumpkin at the rear, jacking bot sides at the same time, as long as the jack is capable of handling the weight.
Jack at each side under the springs or as close as possible.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 267
Likes: 2
Your Owner's manual advises NOT to jack under the pumkin also. I watch mine in the tire shop and make sure they don't.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 8
Was not making it up, or offering my personal opinion on this AND was trying to make it clear the practice is hazardous on most vehicles & not just limited to Econolines' off center differential.
No conscientious mechanic should still be lifting any vehicle by placing a jack at the center of the rear axle. The warnings have been made abundantly clear.
Originally Posted by Fordcr
Your Owner's manual advises NOT to jack under the pumkin also.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 769
Likes: 156
When I buy tires I try to get a lifetime balancing and rotation (Discount Tire here in Texas).
The cost is minimal considering the life of the tires and a lot safer for me.
I think I tried rotating tires one time on a vehicle and it was my last.
The cost is minimal considering the life of the tires and a lot safer for me.
I think I tried rotating tires one time on a vehicle and it was my last.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
