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Keeping a car on stands -Good or Bad?


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#1 _Big T_

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Posted 20 January 2006 - 03:35 PM

G'day,

I've had my lx up on chassis stands for about 8 months now. The stands are positioned at the recommended jacking points. The wheels are still on the car.

Im wondering if there are any negative effects keeping the car stored this way, in particular on the suspension components. I s'pose I could remove the wheels to reduce the weight but would be interested to know if anyone has noticed ill effects in storing a car this way.

Cheers,

T

#2 _jap-xu1_

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Posted 20 January 2006 - 04:04 PM

its good for the tyres :)

#3 GML-31

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Posted 20 January 2006 - 04:17 PM

cant think of any negatives unless you neglect to start it regularly.

#4 dattoman

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Posted 20 January 2006 - 05:35 PM

I have 3 cars up on stands

2 need complete rebuilds though so not too worried about them
My racecar sits on stands alot too...... probably 8 mths a year in reality... maybe more
Doesn't seem to hurt it

#5 Tiny

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Posted 20 January 2006 - 06:28 PM

I think by putting the car up on stands so that the weight is off the suspension is the best thing you can do.

I cant see any negatives other than the natural rubber perishing in bushings etc.

Cheers.

#6 surfmaster

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Posted 20 January 2006 - 09:02 PM

What does the owners manual say? They sometimes give advice if you are not going to drive the car for a while. I would not be keen on suspending a car by the jacking points indefinetely, i would put the stands under the rear axle and the lower control arms so that the car, although off the ground, would be in its "natural" position.

#7 rodomo

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Posted 20 January 2006 - 11:02 PM

Don't bonk in the back seat while its up on stands or you might bend your monocock. :tease:
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#8 knoath

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Posted 21 January 2006 - 04:40 AM

^^^ chortle.....

#9 LS1LX

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Posted 21 January 2006 - 07:01 AM

I've had my lx up on chassis stands for about 8 months now. The stands are positioned at the recommended jacking points. The wheels are still on the car.

That wouldnt be off the bumper bar slots would it?

#10 Tiny

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Posted 21 January 2006 - 07:26 AM

Surfmaster: I would persoanlly prefer to stand it up with the stands under the cassis somewehre to as to allow the suspension to droop, thus taking the weight off the springs and bushes etc.

I know on the monaro its eay to put stands under the front kink of the cassis rail ( directly in front of teh door) and i often put them under the bush itself at the front of the lower control arms of the diff.

one thin i do notice when i have the front stands there is the ammount of droop that the front of the car has! When you let the jack down, the front of the car comes down a Looooong way with the weight on teh stands! Amazing!

Cheers.

#11 _Yella SLuR_

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Posted 21 January 2006 - 08:50 AM

Blocks would be better. Simple engineering principle of spreading load over a broader area. Preferably blocks of wood. I have 100x100x300mm blocks of hardwood that I use x 3 per side.

#12 _devilsadvocate_

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Posted 23 January 2006 - 10:38 AM

i really dont think that the weight of the car on the springs long term is what makes springs sag, its the use of the springs(miles on the road) that puts much more force on them and wears them out. Certainly taking the weight off the tyres will prevent flat spots, but I would suggest axle stands(under axles and suspension pts) would be sufficient long term.
I would have a concern about the shocker tubes being in the extended position for such a long time(if the car is supported by the chassis) and the "nourishment of this seal", perhaps this is unwarranted, what do others think.

#13 _Yella SLuR_

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Posted 23 January 2006 - 10:57 AM

Yes don't know what the intended aim of doing this is.

Was talking to some guys in the A9X club about tyres flatspotting sitting in the shed, which I get since the car sits for long periods. They solve it by parking the cars on five or six layers of carpet to spread the load. Suppose to work a treat.

#14 _JBM_

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Posted 23 January 2006 - 09:10 PM

Have you considered the strain on the brake lines with the suspension hanging?

To minimise tyre flat spots while stored consider rotating the wheel once a month and mark the tyre position each time to avoid re-using the same position too often.

James

#15 _CHOPPER_

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Posted 23 January 2006 - 10:14 PM

Common sense would tell you that GMH wouldn't make the flexible brakes lines so short that they would be under strain at full suspension travel.

#16 _Yella SLuR_

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Posted 26 January 2006 - 04:33 PM

Still like the carpet idea. It's just too easy.

#17 _devilsadvocate_

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Posted 26 January 2006 - 08:05 PM

One thing to be consider is that if storing for a while, the tyres will go down, some more than others and if it ends up sitting on a couple of flats I dont think that would do the tyres any good(perhaps no harm) on any surface.

#18 _CHOPPER_

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Posted 26 January 2006 - 08:48 PM

It won't hurt the tyres having them underinflated if they are simply stationary. Leave them outside in the weather for 5 years and the sidewalls will perish.

#19 _Big T_

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Posted 31 January 2006 - 09:08 AM

Hey, thanks heaps for all the replies. Looks like ol' betsie is ok to be sitting up proud on the stands.

Not too concerned about the shocks and any damage that can happen long term as they will be replaced closer to rego time (will that day ever come ??).

One again, thank you, as always this site provides a wealth of information for the novice.

Cheers,

T




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