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#1 (permalink) |
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 931
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Unanswered: Can I Use the Differential as a Jack Point?
I prefer to lift the front of the car with a single jack point (cross member). It saves time plus it frees up the two side jack points for the jack stands. I'm looking for the same convenience in lifting the rear, but I've got a sneaking suspicion this isn't very good for the diff. or axle. Thanks in advance. |
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#2 (permalink) |
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Mid-West Opeler
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I would be interested also to find out if doing it harmfull.
Can't see why. Been doing it this way since I got my cars.
__________________
Projekt 2009 - Der OPEL GT 1971 Opel GT (Green) 10/28/06 VIN: 77 232 5469 Build date: 10/70 1972 Opel GT ..(Red) .05/11/07 VIN: 77 237 3202 Build date: 11/71 That's not rust, that's Patina. If it don't rain, I'll be there. Other Cars: 2006 Solstice (Aggressive) 2010 Fusion Hybrid (White) LINK to my picture Albums LINK to some short movie clips of car shows. |
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#3 (permalink) |
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Moderator
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: corning ny 14830
Posts: 2,182
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Absolutely, the center of the differential is a great place to jack the car from. It is virtually the strongest point on the car. I would never hesitate doing this.
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1970 Opel GT 1.9 1980 Moto Guzzi V50 2000 Saab 9-3 2.0 turbo 2000 KTM 200 exc STOLEN |
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#4 (permalink) |
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Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Duluth,Ga.
Posts: 649
Real Name: John
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Yes this works , just put you jack stands or supports on the axle housing or under the springs to keep the rear shocks from being pulled down to max. length . HTH
John
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Guyopel I have not failed - I've merely found 10,000 ways that won't work." ---Thomas Edison It's amazing what God lets man get away with when lightning is so cheap. Mark Twain |
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#5 (permalink) |
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"The Jägermeister"
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Newnan, GA - greater ATL area
Posts: 1,515
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The differential is in fact the best point in the rear of your Opel to jack it up. I much rather do that than dent or scratch any rocker panels. Remember, the rear axle is made to carry the load of the car!
Dieter
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One 2.0-16V Opel is not enough |
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#6 (permalink) |
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6,000 Post Club
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Imperial Beach, CA South of San Diego
Posts: 6,054
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To amplify what the others have said, the whole differential is one-piece cast iron assembly, so you can jack up the center section with no problem. I've had to use it to jack up the rear-end after the front was off the ground using jack stands under the jacking points. You can't use the OEM jack to raise one side, with the front in the air, because the whole body will liift and shift, which may cause the front to fall off the stands.
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Ron 72 GT 3.4L V-6/T-5/ZF posi - almost done - Just need AC installed. ![]() 75 Chevy monza 5.7L/TH350/Auburn 3.08 posi - Next |
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#7 (permalink) |
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Member
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: San Francisco Bay Area
Posts: 931
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Thanks guys.
My fear had been that the load was designed to be supported through the springs to the outer portion of the axle (shear). And, that by jacking the diff, which normally hangs from the drive shaft & axles, the car's weight would be shifted so that it loads the outer axle and transfers to the diff creating a moment on the gears within the differential. I've been told "Don't over-think it, just do it". This must be one of those times. Again, thanks. I won't worry about it, and I'll save lots of time by lifting the entire rear-end at once. Plus, I won't have to twist the body by jacking a corner. |
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#8 (permalink) |
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Have Opel, Will Travel
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I have seen a couple of truck axles ruined by jacking in the center of the diff, but I think on most Opels it would be fine. Those trucks were heavy ones with utility bodies on the back, and well loaded-down, and when jacked up in the center of the axle the weld joints where the steel tubes are attached to the center of the axle flexed enough to crack and bend.
Try figuring that failure out 1000 miles later when the differential suddenly fails. It wasn't easy.
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1958 Rekord Sedan, 1958 Olympia Wagon, 1959 Opel Olympia Sedan, 1967 Kadett Coupe, 1967 Admiral Sedan 4L CIH-6, 1968 Kadett fastback 1.1L, 1970 Kadett Wagon Turbo 2.2L, 1971 Kadett Sedan 1.1L, 1975 Manta Wagon 4.3L V-6 |
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#9 (permalink) |
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former opel racer
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: near some glaciers
Posts: 2,863
Real Name: Jeff "Oh-Oh" Denton
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I'm afraid I'd have to be restrained from instantly bopping you right smack up side the head if I ever catch you doing that to my car, and especially a truck.
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No Opels were harmed in the filming of this movie. However two Mustangs, a Pinto, and a Capri were hospitalized. One Mustang was euthanized the next morning. |
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