Best Jack
#41
Safe is a questionable assumption. Don't get me wrong I used them plenty back in the 70's/80's. They tend to scratch the bumper, sometimes when the bumper flexes during lifting the bumper will come in contact with the body, and when for some strange reason it decides to tip it tends to bend things. Why not use a superior jack in the first place.
#42
#43
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Safe is a questionable assumption. Don't get me wrong I used them plenty back in the 70's/80's. They tend to scratch the bumper, sometimes when the bumper flexes during lifting the bumper will come in contact with the body, and when for some strange reason it decides to tip it tends to bend things. Why not use a superior jack in the first place.
OEM jacks are just as safe as other ones mentioned provided they are used as per instructions. That's where safety enters the equation IMO. I don't think new cars even come with jacks or spare tires, even space savers so chances are the new generation of drivers haven't a clue what do do when they get a flat except to whip out their cell and call auto rescue.
#46
#47
I wouldn't use the original "Jack in the trunk" in my 1976 either, Mine doesn't have the padding Allan is talking about. Maybe the later years have something better. I wouldn't jack the rear up with the bumper slots as many others say padding or not.
#48
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Starting in 73 the bumper jacks had a round rubber disc in the hook/cradle to cushion the bumper against the hook.
Of course you must know this fellow Jack. Just for fun, guess the significance of these cards???
Of course you must know this fellow Jack. Just for fun, guess the significance of these cards???
#50
I also don't like having to lift the body and completely unload the suspension before the wheel starts coming off the ground. I find it much better to lift from the axle or front control arm to get the wheel high enough off the ground.
#51
There is a jack carried at the local O'rielly auto parts I am pretty sure it is an ac/delco jack. It is a floor type jack that is relitively small and has a socket set in the side of it. not a high dollar item but would be great for those not wanting to use a bumper jack and still store without too much dificulty.
#52
Well, if you have just spent $3.000 bucks to have your front and rear bumpers rechromed you get a little paranoid when it comes to putting something as hard as a bumper jack against them, especially when the one supplied by GM was from the lowest bidder....Tedd
Last edited by Tedd Thompson; September 14th, 2015 at 06:56 AM.
#54
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Back in the 80s after repainting my '70 Supreme (had the bumpers off for that) I used the bumper jack and while lifting the car I heard a loud metallic screeching sound and the bumper moved a significant amount and the bumper corner gouged the paint. I thought I had really cranked on the bracket bolts but apparently they still weren't tight enough.
Check out the boneyard. GM A & G body cars from 78-88 came with those. They're common as dirt up here. They're recommended for use on only the rear though and limit your speed to 50mph tops. Means that if you get a front flat, you have to change 2 tires unless you just feel lucky? LOL new cars don't even come with a space saver spare or jack - it's an option now that you have to pay for.
#55
I put back on what came off the car, which I expect was the factory installed hardware as my dad was the second owner of the car and it was 12 years old at the time. That was 1982 so at this point I can't really say what was there.
#56
Just an Olds Guy
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Edmonton, AB. And "I am Can 'eh' jun - eh"
Posts: 24,525
Reason I ask is when I took off the bumpers on my car I found the bodyman who worked on the last repaint had used ordinary washers instead of the proper ones. I ordered new ones from ILT and installed them on the bumper braces. Those suckers lock in place and don't move a micron! None of the braces on my car were installed properly either, so I had to finesse them and then make minor adjustments when the bumper was attached. Taping the fenders to protect the paint was something I learned a while back and it really helps when installing these suckers.
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