Where to place Jack Stands during wheel work.

[fivecodys]

I am planning to repack my wheel bearings and adjust my brakes.
I was curious where to place the jack stands?
I am not comfortable with just the jack holding up the axle while I'm under there snooping around.
Any suggestions?

Bill

[powerboatr]

i have in the past placed the jack stands in front of the front axle at the frame and then behind the rear axle at the frame, then support each axle with a small jack to prevent the springs from hanging free, it wont hurt em but makes it easy for you to adjust the work height of the hub as you go along.

[turbopuppy]

I use a 4x6 piece of wood to lift both axels evenly. Then I place jackstands under both axles close to the frame.

[skidoonut]

if you are jacking it from the axle, put the axle stand under the axle. if you jack it up from the frame then put an axle stand close to the jack on the frame. make sure to lower the jack and put pressure on the stand while working.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by skidoonut

if you are jacking it from the axle, put the axle stand under the axle. if you jack it up from the frame then put an axle stand close to the jack on the frame. make sure to lower the jack and put pressure on the stand while working.

I don't think you would want to do that if you have torsion axles.

[skidoonut]

i have torsion axles on all my trailers. they are just as strong as any other axle.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by skidoonut

i have torsion axles on all my trailers. they are just as strong as any other axle.

I agree. I have torsion axles on my Surveyor, and had them on my Trailmanor, and they are great. But I have read on several forums that if you have that type of axle, you should not jack up the trailer by the axle.

[fivecodys]

Originally Posted by mtnguy

I agree. I have torsion axles on my Surveyor, and had them on my Trailmanor, and they are great. But I have read on several forums that if you have that type of axle, you should not jack up the trailer by the axle.

Then by what? The frame? Where on the frame is what I am looking for here guys. Help!

Bill

[LadyWindrider]

1st question, if you're not sure about how to jack up the trailer, are you sure about doing you're brake work? As for torsion axles, there is no such thing. It a is a "torsion bar suspension" , and you don't want to jack it up by the torsion bars. You risk bending the bars and knocking the axles out of alignment. The simple answer depands on your jack. If it will go low enough to get under the axle and lift the wheel, then jack it up by the axle, one wheel at a time, and place the jack stand as close to the jack as possible, and then let the jack down to put pressure on the jack stand. Once you have one wheel suspended, then move the jack to the other axle and do the same thing. Now you have one side in the air. Make sure to loosen the lug nuts before you jack up the wheel, LOOSEN ONLY, DO NOT REMOVE. Block the wheels on the other side, front and rear. For an extra measure of safety, once you have the wheels in the air, lower the stabilizer jacks to the ground. Remember they call it "pack" bearings because there is more to it than rub some grease on them. You also need to know something about electric brakes and the things to look for, beside normal shoe wear. Theses are not car brakes, but just like car brakes, your life and mine depend on them. Hope this helps, and please make sure you know what you're doing so you don't create any problems for yourself or others.

[milzat]

I placed a jack between the tires, lifting on the frame. Note wooden blocks under jack.

Click here

[turbopuppy]

Originally Posted by windrider

As for torsion axles, there is no such thing.

I have torsion axles. Two 1350 lb ALCO axles. See them at http://www.al-kousa.com/prod_rubsus.htm

I think this is a good thread. I recall when I first started out, I couldn't get a straight answer on lifting wheels. In my experience I learned the best way is on the driveway with a floor jack and a piece of wood to lift both axles at the same time. That way, I could remove both wheels on one side at the same time. Since I have storage tires, traveling tires, and air tools, I can bust out a tire change in five minutes per side. Please use wheel chocks. The jack stands can be placed between the jack and the wheel wherever convenient. It won't hurt anything as long as you support both axles at the same time.

Also, brake work, bearings, and seals are easy to work on for the DIY'er and encourage anyone with available tools and some experience to do it. That is what this forum is supporting. Just do one wheel at a time, match parts, and never rush.

I have been refering people to the nice videos at etrailer.com:
http://www.etrailer.com/tv.aspx

They even have a newsletter!

[rockwood06]

It is safer to use this and it works great.

[Bama Rambler]

The problem with jacking up torsion type axles is that the part you can get a jack under is the tube. A thin metal tube. The danger is that the jack head concentrates tremendous force in a very small area thereby bending the tube. That's why they caution against jacking under the axle. If you employ some device to spread out the load forces it's perfectly safe to jack under the axle.

[MtnGuy]

I do as Mike does in post #10. I also made up a piece of wood for the top so it distributes the weight some on the belly covering. To keep the jack from cutting into the wood, I use a piece of metal between them.

[hunt4240dw]

I have also built a ramp with my Lynx Levels.

David

[fivecodys]

[QUOTE=windrider;37586]1st question, if you're not sure about how to jack up the trailer, are you sure about doing you're brake work? QUOTE]

Just because I don't know how to jack up a rig with this type of suspension doesn't mean that I have no mechanical skills, It just means that I have never jacked up a trailer like this before. And, I am not working on the brakes, just adjusting them and then I'm going to grease the wheel bearings.


Bill

[fivecodys]

Originally Posted by turbopuppy

I have torsion axles. Two 1350 lb ALCO axles. See them at http://www.al-kousa.com/prod_rubsus.htm

I think this is a good thread. I recall when I first started out, I couldn't get a straight answer on lifting wheels. In my experience I learned the best way is on the driveway with a floor jack and a piece of wood to lift both axles at the same time. That way, I could remove both wheels on one side at the same time. Since I have storage tires, traveling tires, and air tools, I can bust out a tire change in five minutes per side. Please use wheel chocks. The jack stands can be placed between the jack and the wheel wherever convenient. It won't hurt anything as long as you support both axles at the same time.

Also, brake work, bearings, and seals are easy to work on for the DIY'er and encourage anyone with available tools and some experience to do it. That is what this forum is supporting. Just do one wheel at a time, match parts, and never rush.

I have been refering people to the nice videos at etrailer.com:
http://www.etrailer.com/tv.aspx

They even have a newsletter!

Thanks for the reply.

Bill

[SJones6335]

I use a traileraid for lifting mine, works great. http://www.campingworld.com/shopping...iler-aid/10867