Proper way to Lift car for all 4 Tire Change

[Norman Silverman]

Hello All.

I first looked in the help section and did not see a discussion on this topic, so here's my question:

Today I will be purchasing tires for my 64 SDV. I know the FSM says there are specific pads/places on the chassis for proper lifting. The shop I am going to has drive-over lifts that align with a 4 or 5 foot portion of the underside of the car on either side and lift it that way. These are designed for more modern, unibody cars. 

So....when most of you go for tires do you insist that they use floor jacks under each of the lift points, or do you just drive on and let the lift take it up?

Thanks

Norm

[2o93f8rdftyzj]

Norman, i always jack mine up at home, bung four stands under it and remove the wheels myself and take them in loose.

This prevents the following, exhaust crushed by lift, jacks placed under sumps by mistake, wombats trying to remove my fender skirts, wheel trims getting scratched during removal, wheel trims getting dented upon re-fitment, wheel trims flying off due to not being fitted properly, fender skirts fitted back incorrectly, wheel nuts not over tightened, wheel nuts left loose, grease and dirt marks on the seats, carpet, and around door handles........

For over 5 years, I ran a Bob Jane T Mart here, I've seen it all, just not all at once.

[Norman Silverman]

Thanks, Kevin.I no longer have the stamina to jack it up and take the wheels off myself or I would do it that way.  I plan to present the car minus skirts and hubcaps. My concern is with jack points, but I think I will prevail upon them to use 4 floor jacks placed under the shaded areas shown in the FSM and have 4 guys pick it up simultaneously.

Norm

[2o93f8rdftyzj]

Sounds like a plan to me. Look, some tyre fitters are bloody good and take real good care of your car.

But stuff me sideways, some of them couldn't tie their own shoe laces without help.

[3ft7bqmb7dryo]

The X frame is a challenge for most of the mechanics at shops. It is not the norm.  Always have the shop lift at the wheels or suspension/axle.  Never at the frame, unless necessary, and that is covered in the shop manual where to lift.

[Norman Silverman]

I am happy to report that it worked out very well; 5 new tires, smooth ride and no damage. I have been dealing with this place for over 20 years so they are very accommodating; 4 jacks placed in exactly the spot that the FSM shows (I made a xerox for them to see) and we all lifted together. Interestingly, the spare was a GOODYEAR Custom Power Cushion 9.00 x 15 with a three stripe whitewall (fat/skinny/fat). I saved it as it may even be original to the car (the rim it is on is spotless). Net, net: I'm a happy guy.

THANKS to those who replied!!

Norm

[38oqogaboqfax]

That’s great to hear Norm! I’m extremely over protective of my 64 and when I needed 2 new tires to be put on just last month, I went to a local tire shop where a bunch of kids are working there which I don’t trust to be honest, but there prices where affordable for mount and balancing  and it was the only tire shop that was able to take me in that day. You’ll be surprised that some tire shops where I live such as Firestone and Midas won’t work on the 64 because it’s too old, they don’t want to be responsible for any damages in case something happens either.

So what I did was II actually helped remove the wheel covers, the fender skirts and clearly stated that they do NOT lift the car up in the air without putting the lift arms on the frame itself and not the body. I explained to the kid that this car is probably something you’ll never see again or encounter that often while working there. I showed him how the X Frame is designed and where to jack the car up, he was surprised and thanked me for letting him know since he was going to originally jack the Caddy up on the body! He didn’t know poor guy, but that’s expected at the majority of tire shops that have such a high turnover and pay crappy wages. They simply don’t care and it’s all about getting them in and out as fast as you can, and unfortunately that’s the majority of how shops operate this day n age.

Its good that you were cautious and protective of your since I know the last thing we all need is someone else to ruin or damage our precious works of art that we work hard on to care for.

[Robert Alan Shannon]

Chris , I hear you about Firestone; took 2 loose wheels (tires w/rims) in for them to balance.They are bias ply tires ,old but in good condition,still have the whiskers on em. When the manager learned ( I told him), that they were more than 10 years old, he said he couldn't touch them because of state law.(?) Said he couldn't even mount a spare tire if it was 10+ years old. I don't remember voting on that. Also found out I have to pay $2.50/tire disposal fee each tire when I buy new tires for just rims I bought on Ebay! Hell, I never had tires on those rims,  the guy I bought them from already paid it. Damn Oklahoma lawmakers! Unreal ,all about the money...

[38oqogaboqfax]

Dang Robert that sucks!

If you think Oklahoma is bad, come to California where we have bans for this and that, fees for this and that, and taxes on EVERYTHING! I plan on moving to Nevada ( Vegas) pretty soon here probably by the end of the year since the laws are way less strict and the cost of living is much much lower.

I do remember Firestone mentioning the age of the tires, if they are of a certain age and or are Bias Ply, they won’t touch em.

The independent tire shops and auto shops is where I plan on going next time. 

[Robert Alan Shannon]

 Ah yes, California, land of fruits & nuts.  Much worse for you there, please leave as soon as possible!

[38oqogaboqfax]

Lol yes it is!!

I’ve been planning to leave the last couple of years as a matter of fact but it’s tough to move, you need a game plan and I finally have one now.

The prices for everything had gotten way out of control, especially housing prices!

If you’re not at least making way over six figures a year and or are very wealthy, life is extremely hard here.

Ever since the state passed the gas tax law last year which automatically raised the gas prices 10 cents on a gallon of gas and 20 cents on Diesel, but everyone’s vehicle registration fees went up as well! 

i used to pay $78 a year for my 64, now it’s almost $130! It’s BS! I’m tired of it, so my fiancé and I will be leaving to Vegas (just like thousands of other Californians)  hopefully by the end of the year. I have my fingers crossed.

Sorry for the off topic rant, back on the discussion now. :)

[Norman Silverman]

Chris. My understanding is that the company known as DISCOUNT TIRES here in California has a policy of not working on tires with date codes five years or older. The only thing they will do is let the air out of it and dismount it. They told me this comes from a bad experience one of their workers had with an old tire that exploded and injured him. Who knows? Other places here in southern California have no such limitations, so I don't think it is the law. 

As it turned out, this car had sat for quite a number of years because the tires were near new tread-wise, even had the little whiskers all over them; but they turned out to have been purchased before 2000. AMAZING how good they looked-but how LUMPY they rode. 

So far, I've done the tires and fixed the power seat, next up: rubbing out the faded but original paint. I think I'll let a pro do, considering how big this car is, and how much effort it took me to do a couple of sections by hand using red compound, followed by TR-3 polish, followed by wax. LOTS of effort.

Norm