How to use jack stands properly

[Bart Hinder]

I need to get The Beast off the ground to work on the brakes.
Not to sound like a complete noob, but is there a consensus on the proper method?
Raise the front axle first, the rear axle first, or both at the same time using two jacks?

I'm guessing jacking up the port side then starboard side isn't the way to go.

 

[zraffz]

I do the front and then the back. This way the truck can't roll away. I tuck the front stands under the frame as far forward as I can and I tuck the rear stands under the axle.

The bigger question is why don't you just do one axle at a time?

 

[Bart Hinder]

I do the front and then the back. This way the truck can't roll away. I tuck the front stands under the frame as far forward as I can and I tuck the rear stands under the axle.

The bigger question is why don't you just do one axle at a time?

Good question. I want to flush/bleed the brake fluid, and somehow I got it into my head that all four wheels would need to off the ground.

 

[swathdiver]

Flat surface, doesn't matter which end you lift first. Put the jack under the pumpkin and put the stands under the axle tubes in the brackets made for the bottle jack. Then lift the front from the engine cross brace and place the stands in the space on the frame behind each wheel made for the bottle jack.

 

[zraffz]

Good question. I want to flush/bleed the brake fluid, and somehow I got it into my head that all four wheels would need to off the ground.

I have legitimately never flushed a brake system on anything. After I do brake lines, I pop the top off the master cylinder and open one axle's bleeder at a time. 90+% of the air will gravity bleed if the lines are routed correctly. I can instantly tell if I manually need to bleed them afterwards.

Their isn't a reason to really even jack the truck up. I get some rubber hose that fits over the bleeders and bleed the fluid into old pickle jars.

 

[zraffz]

Flat surface, doesn't matter which end you lift first. Put the jack under the pumpkin and put the stands under the axle tubes in the brackets made for the bottle jack. Then lift the front from the engine cross brace and place the stands in the space on the frame behind each wheel made for the bottle jack.

Be leery of using this method if you aren't on flat ground. I have had trucks rolls on the slightest incline by jacking up the rear end first. A floor jack can't roll on a zip tie but surprisingly rolls very quickly with the weight of the truck on it!

Or just chock the tires like everyone else does

 

[Bart Hinder]

I have legitimately never flushed a brake system on anything. After I do brake lines, I pop the top off the master cylinder and open one axle's bleeder at a time. 90+% of the air will gravity bleed if the lines are routed correctly. I can instantly tell if I manually need to bleed them afterwards.

Their isn't a reason to really even jack the truck up. I get some rubber hose that fits over the bleeders and bleed the fluid into old pickle jars.

I'm not spry enough these days. I gotta take the wheels off.

 

[Bart Hinder]

Be leery of using this method if you aren't on flat ground. I have had trucks rolls on the slightest incline by jacking up the rear end first. A floor jack can't roll on a zip tie but surprisingly rolls very quickly with the weight of the truck on it!

Or just chock the tires like everyone else does

Good tip, thanks. Plus I needed an excuse to go to Harbor Freight. I've wanted some proper chocks for some time.

Safety first, safety last, safety always. I am risk-averse, which is why I posted the question.

You guys are great. Thanks for the replies.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Good tip, thanks. Plus I needed an excuse to go to Harbor Freight. I've wanted some proper chocks for some time.

Safety first, safety last, safety always. I am risk-averse, which is why I posted the question.

You guys are great. Thanks for the replies.

Do it. I don't even break a tire off the ground without chocking it. With trucks as large as ours, things can get ugly fast when they decide to move on their own.

 

[PG01]

Do it. I don't even break a tire off the ground without chocking it. With trucks as large as ours, things can get ugly fast when they decide to move on their own.

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