Using Axle Stands

[cdm]

Sorry if this is a silly question... I've always been able to do everything I need to without actually raising the car completely, so have never used axle stands. Now it's time to do the brakes, and I'm not 100% sure how to properly lift the front of the 406. Don't want to do it wrong and break things!!

I've get everything I need, including a trolley jack and some axle stands.

Do I use the trolley jack under part of the front chassis and then put the axle stand under the jacking point on the sill of the car, or do I put the trolley jack under the jacking point, and support the car elsewhere with an axle stand?

[steve_earwig]

Trolley jack centrally under the front subframe, preferably using a large lump of 2x4 to spread the load. I always think it's barbaric to put the stands under the jacking points (owned too many rust buckets perhaps?) so mine go under the outer ends of the subframe too. Alternatively under the chassis rails, as far forward as possible near the outriggers. Leave the trolley jack in place if you don't need to work under the car. just loosen it off 'til the stands take the weight, then tighten it. The usual thing is to put the wheels under the sills in case it slips off, also I always give the car a wobble first - if it does fall off at least you weren't under it...

[mjb]

It's not a silly question by any means!

When I'm just doing a little job on one corner, I'll use the jack on the jacking point, raise it, put an axle stand close, then lower the jack until the sill's *almost* touching the axle stand (the car does NOT like being held on the non-re-enforced bits of sill!). That way the car's being held on the jack but the axle stand is going to take the weight if the jack fails. Also, I put any wheels I take off under the car along the sill so if the unthinkable happens I'll be hurt and not killed.

When I need the whole front in the air, I use a small jack on a jacking point, then get my big trolley jack and lift up the middle of the subframe. That is the big chunky bit between the 2 large (20-odd mm) bolts that go through the subframe and into the steering rack. Jack it high, remove the small jack, then put axle stands on both front jacking points.

On saloons/estates and with a smaller trolley jack you may not need the 2-jack method I do on my coupe

EDIT: check my clutch change HOWTO. There may be a picture of where I jack it on the subframe

[Doggy]

Much the same here- If I'm ony doing one corner, I put my (small) trolley jack under the chassis rail, immediately inboard of the jacking point, lift it up. put axle stand further along the rail, as close to jack as I can, lower onto stand, then bring the jack back into contact. Give it a real good shake before you take the wheel off. Remember to loosen the wheel bolts a little, before jacking it up.