Jack Stands + Pinch Weld

[DarkSunrise]

Originally Posted by Mikem53

I have a set of those.. Rock solid.. But I don't like supporting the pinch weld
With these.. They make pinch weld adapters to support the load and not have the tip of the pinch weld be the support.. The adapter allows the pinch weld to sit in the middle and supported on either side of the pinch weld. Just like the spare jack does..

Yeah, a pinch weld adapter would be ideal, but I just haven't any that fit securely on a regular jack stand.

Personal opinion here, but to me, the contact point on an Esco jack stand is the same as a 4-point lift. It spreads the load over a 5" rubber pad, just as a lift would, and I haven't seen a pinch weld bend from a lift before. Car manufacturers design pinch welds to support the car on a 4-point lift. And if you really wanted, you could cut hockey puck pinch weld adapters and place them on the Esco jack stands since the tops are flat.

I think pinch welds bend when you're lowering the weight of the car onto a small cross-section, like a 1-2" metal jack stand. It's the application of force over a small cross-section that causes the damage, but by spreading it over a much larger cross-section (i.e., 5" rubber pad), you prevent damage.

[twag4]

I took four pieces of 4x4 cut into perfect cubes, shaved about 1" off one side, then routed a 1/4" wide groove in the wood down the middle of one of the wider sides just about 1mm less depth than the height of the pinch weld. I put them on top of the jack stands, and the pinch weld down the groove. They bear the weight of the whole car no problem.

[Augora]

I used the HF rubber tips on top of HF jacks and they promptly sliced the paint right off the jacking points. They're too soft and narrow so the pinch weld "slides" through the rubber, ripping off the paint in one go. ARGH. (Tips I used)

Weld is still mechanically intact but now I need something to cover/protect the exposed metal, any thoughts?

[DuMa]

4x4 squares work well.

[dem00n]

Originally Posted by Augora

I used the HF rubber tips on top of HF jacks and they promptly sliced the paint right off the jacking points. They're too soft and narrow so the pinch weld "slides" through the rubber, ripping off the paint in one go. ARGH. (Tips I used)

Weld is still mechanically intact but now I need something to cover/protect the exposed metal, any thoughts?

So the metal on the pinch weld is exposed?

Just get some good spray paint and go to work. It's the bottom of the car, i don't know about you but i could care less what it looks like underneath.

You could also get the color of your paint in a spray can and give the area a few coats.

[Augora]

Originally Posted by dem00n

So the metal on the pinch weld is exposed?

Just get some good spray paint and go to work. It's the bottom of the car, i don't know about you but i could care less what it looks like underneath.

You could also get the color of your paint in a spray can and give the area a few coats.

Yeah metal is exposed, just wanted something as a rust preventative.

Also read "Valvoline Tectyl 506" as an option. Guess I'll go with whichever I find first in autozone.

[Astroboy]

Originally Posted by strat61caster

I'm in the same dilemma, the three or so times I've jacked it up haven't been any issue though, I used exactly the jackstands in your second photo and everything looked and seemed very stable, no worries about bending the sheet metal or having the car fall.

Mine bent

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[HATED1]

Cut up a pair of rubber slippers that can be bought at WALMART and place between the weld and jack stand