Jacking and Supporting Your Jaguar
Doug Dwyer
VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
When working on your Jaguar it is essential to make sure it is properly
supported. A Series III XJ6 weighs about 4100 pounds......you can't
afford to take chances with your safety.
Firstly, you will want high quality, heavy duty jack stands. Do not buy
the cheap, stamped sheet-metal type stands. Quality stands are only
slighty more expensive than the low-grade models. Do not take chances
here !
You will also want a good quality 2-ton (or higher) floor jack. No, it is not
necessary to spend hundreds for a professional grade floor jack but do
not be tempted by a "Brand-X" floor jack at a ridiculously low price
from a third world nation.
Before lifting your Jag make sure the parking brake is on, the
transmission is in "Park", and the wheel opposite of your jack point is
blocked.
According to the Jaguar Service Manual the car may be lifted as follows:
To lift one front wheel place the cup of your floor jack under the front
suspension lower control arm with a block of wood between the jack and
the spring pan. The wood (use hardwood) disperses the load and prevents
damage to the spring pan.
To lift one rear wheel place the cup of the jack at the outboard end of
the rear suspension wishbone, again using a block of wood and taking
care to avoid catching the hub carrier (large aluminum casting) or the
grease nipple.
To lift the entire front end place your jack under the center of the
front crossmember with a piece of wood in between. The cross member is
the large structural piece under the engine and between the left and
right lower control arms.
To lift the entire rear end place your jack under the rear suspension
tie bar. This is the plate directly below the actual differential
itself. And, yes, use a piece of wood between the jack and the tie bar.
(As you can see it will be helpful to accumulate some scraps of hardwood
!)
Your jackstands should be placed immediately under or next to the four
jacking pegs. The pegs are visable directly aft of the front tires and
directly forward of the rear wheels. These pegs are mounted in a
reinforced structural area. If your stands have a flat bar at the top,
place them right next to the pegs. If they have a cup-type top, place
them right under the pegs. Some Jag owners fabricate wooden spacers to
securely engage the pegs and the jackstands.
If your Jag is rusty extreme caution is required as the jacking points
and/or support pegs may be weakened from rust and not support the weight
of the car. A bit rare, but it does happen in extreme cases. Please be
careful.
Once up on stands you must now use your body weight to give the car
several good shoves in all directions. If fate decrees that it must
fall, now is the time.....before you are underneath.
Some Jag owners leave the floor jack in a raised position under the car
just for additional security...not a bad idea. Going one step further
(no reason not to, right ?) place a block of wood in the maw of the jack
so if it does collapse the arm will only drop a few inches. At very
least leave your floor jack close by. In the event that the car does
fall your rescuer will be able to find the jack easily.
Which brings up another point: instruct your family members on usage
of the floor jack ! If the unthinkable happens they'll need to know
what to do.
Addtionally, don't work alone !! If a helper cannot be present at very
least let someone know you are working on your car. The thought of being
trapped under a car for hours before being discovered is gruesome.
If you are in doubt about jacking/supporting your car or ANY OTHER
safety related issues.....PLEASE seek the assistance of an experienced
helper.