Best order or way to put my entire car up on axel stands / jack stands?

Question

If I need to put my entire car up on axel stands (so i can do a full brake fluid bleed/change) how should I go about it.

I have a manual, so I do know where the axel stand points are, but it doesn't say anything about order.

Loosen all lugs first... but then raise front driver's side first and place axel stand? Then front passenger side.. or front drivers rear? I ask cause I don't want the car unbalanced or toppling. Maybe best to start with rear wheels ?

Also my property (driveway) is slightly.. ever so slightly sloped all around.... (like 10 to 15 degrees)... is that too much risk?

Thanks. (I hope i've not asked something foolish where it shows how inexperienced I am) At the moment I've only got 2 axel stands so will have to source 2 more.. and I've got a brand new well-rated 2 ton trolley jack.

Answer 1

You don't need to raise the whole car in one go. It's easier and safer and to do the job in stages, first the back and then the front. Contrary to some answers, the order in which you bleed the brakes does matter. Start with the wheel furthest from the master cylinder, i.e. if its on the front nearside, start bleeding from the rear offside and end with the front nearside wheel.

Answer 2

With only 2 jack stands if your going to bleed your brakes, it's best to jack the back end of your vehicle up first and do the back. The order doesn't matter much. But most importantly is to block the front tires, block the front side and back side of both front tire's. Then jack one rear tire up at a time. When bleeding it's best to start with the passenger side rear tire first. This is the brake farthest from the master cylinder. Then do the drivers side rear. After this let your car down and proceed to the front. Block the rear tires the same way and after you have the front jacked up do the passenger side first. Also make sure that the master cylinder stays full of brake fluid. You should have no problems doing it this way. Just make sure the tires are properly blocked so the car won't roll on you. Safety is always important when working under a vehicle. Take care and take your time. Keeping the fluid in the master cylinder full will insure that you do not get any air back into the lines. After 2 or 3 bleeder opens check and refill.

Answer 3

I tell how I do this, but, it a matter of preference and experience.
I center the jack on the Drive Wheel first and jack enough to place the stands on the lowest setting. IF, you have the possibility the vehicle will roll put some blocks behind the Free Wheels. Once the drive wheels are on the stands. Let the jack down just a little to remove pressure and shake the vehicle to see if the stands stayed firm. Then let the jack down and go jack the other end and place those stands, but, this time jack to as high as you want. Then if you need to raise the first to level the vehicle do so. Once everything adjusted remove the jack and shake the vehicle Left/Right, Back and forth, up/down (Well maybe not up/down) if a stand look like it not stay stable just readjust that one stand. Usually I then move my jack around to where I work and jack just to touch, like a backup stand, but, not holding weight.
Always take the time to do this correct. Also, if the vehicle does start to fall you can see which way it go and move away as it usually move slow at first. Think of holding a Basketball (Car) with both hands (Jack Stands) above your head. Without bending your arms, bring the basket ball down to eye level (Ground). Notice it not come down on your head? This how a vehicl will fall on jack stands. It move in one direction slow as it fall.
If, you can not find a good jack point in the center, then you may have to do one wheel or one side at a time. I would work with one wheel. Also, the car may try to fall when you jack the other side. So, keep an eye on your stands.
Good Luck, and be careful.

Answer 4

Don't worry about it. But got to ask, why do you want to jack it up? You shouldn't have to just to bleed and re-top the brake fluid. You must be changing parts as well, yeah? I'd do back axle, one wheel at a time, putting the car back down again after each wheel, then front axle one after the other. This keeps the car more stable. Use a one man kit (if available) and remember to finish on the wheel closest to the master cylinder. If you really want to go up all round (not recommended on uneven ground), make sure that the axle stands have a good spread on the bottom. And whilst you lift the back, chock the front wheels, it's really dangerous if you don't. Out of interest as well, I'd use a trolley jack, they're a lot more stable than your manufacturer supplied jack and quicker and easier to use.

Answer 5

The order does not matter as long as you do not do one complete side before the other. So, don't put the left side on stands and then switch to the right. Nor should you do one corner (right front) and then do the opposite corner (back left). Do either both front tires first or both back tires. Mechanically there is no reason for this - simple safety is all.

BTW, 10-15 degrees is a pretty significant grade. Ideally you would do this on a flat surface. If you must do it on the slope make sure the car is parallel (running with) and not perpendicular to the slope. And use chocks until you get the car up.

Answer 6

I have always lifted the rear of the vehicle first. I found that when you raise the front first, the rear of the vehicle is too close to the ground to get the jack under the car. Be very cautious about lifting the car on un-level ground. People really are killed every year when a car falls on them. If you really have to do this on a sloped driveway, make sure that the car is braced thoroughly so as not to fall down the driveway. You shouldn't have to get under the vehicle anyway in order to bleed the brakes.

Answer 7

do not use a bottle jack on a modern car they are not stable they were invented to use on cars with chassis and big frames, use a garage jack or floor jack and place axle stands or concrete blocks under the car near the jacking points, use rubber or cloth to protect the paint

Answer 8

Check Clitons on Haynes Repair manuals for some good suggestions.