Jacking points

[AzMarauder]

I've not had an opportunity to get up under my new MM yet. Still on the road with a business trip after picking it up.

This weekend I want to put the car up on jack stands and get all the tires off it... pressure wash under it (get all that nasty salt off it)... and clean, clean, clean....

With the live rear axle I assume jacking it by the pumpking and supporting the axle takes care of the rear.

Is there a suitable central cross member up front that I can use to jack the car. I ask just to make sure that there isn't something "different" about these cars. For example my wife has a Mazda Miata and you don't want to do place a jack ANYWHERE but the jack points. The subframe rails on the Miatas are too soft to withstad a jack.

So... any minefields associated with the MM that I need to know about?

Thanks...

[SouLRioT]

I dont know the answer to where to jack it up, but make sure you turn the air suspension off when you do.

[cyclopsram]

Don't jack on the Pumpkin... per Mercury and Me... The Aluminum cover distorts and the oil runs out.....look at jacking instructions in the dreaded owner's manual.... Cheers... RAM

[CRUZTAKER]

Here is a SEARCH result for jacking points.

Read through these existing threads as it has been discussed thoroghly. You should find them helpfull. I also have pictures in my gallery of the car entirely on jack stands.;)

READ THESE (http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/search.php?searchid=344998)

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/627Jack_rear.jpg

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/627Jack_front.jpg

[jgc61sr2002]

Don't jack on the Pumpkin... per Mercury and Me... The Aluminum cover distorts and the oil runs out.....look at jacking instructions in the dreaded owner's manual.... Cheers... RAM


I concur never place a jack under the rear end.

[Rider90]

:dunno: Bedroom is my choice :hide:

[gdmjoe]

AzMarauder ...Is there a suitable central cross member up front that I can use to jack the car. I ask just to make sure that there isn't something "different" about these cars. For example my wife has a Mazda Miata and you don't want to do place a jack ANYWHERE but the jack points. The subframe rails on the Miatas are too soft to withstad a jack.

So... any minefields associated with the MM that I need to know about?
While FoMoCo states NOT to use the front cross-member as a jack-point ... I've routinely used it since the vehicle was purchased new. *Oil changes ( every 2K with 45K on the clock ), wheel swaps, etc..

The key is to cushion the floor-jack's pad ( I use a piece of foam ) and be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that pad contacts only ( and is centered on ) the front cross-member.

And contrary to what others have mentioned about using the differential as a jack-point ... I've routinely used it since the vehicle was purchased new. *Sway-bar mod', wheel swaps, etc..

The key is to make certain that the differential cover is NOT CONTACTED. Position the floor-jack's pad just ahead of the cover.

And by all means, always jack-stands.

[BillyGman]

If you look on the right and left rocker panels, you'll find arrows, that look more like triangles, and circles that indicate where the jack is to be placed on all four corners of the car. I'm also one of the Marauder owners who never puts a jack under the rear end housing.

[gdmjoe]

Hint / Tip to jack-up one entire side ( front + rear ) .....

Position the floor-jack pad on the frame aligned directly under the front door handle; my experience indicates that's the front/rear balance point and both wheels are lifted the same amount.

Don't forget to turn-off your air suspension.

[wchain]

Don't forget to turn-off your air suspension.

You dont like that slammed look after you let it down?

[martyo]

Here is one of my favorite "jacking" points:

http://www.legalknevil.com/albums/Miscellaneous-Car-Stuff/aam.sized.jpg

[Patrick]

Here is one of my favorite "jacking" points:

http://www.legalknevil.com/albums/Miscellaneous-Car-Stuff/aam.sized.jpg

True, but must remember good form while doing this.

[gdmjoe]

wchain - You dont like that slammed look after you let it down?
What ? And have to cop a ghetto lean ? http://www.bellsouthpwp.net/g/d/gdmjoe/evil.gif

[Bradley G]

It usually doesn't take long after the Pics come out, that this thread may get the button!:banned: In the mean time , ......... :lovies:............

Bradley G
Oh Yeah!.. Whay Billy said," look for the arrows"!:D

[metroplex]

I've jacked the rear of the car from under the pumpkin since new, and we've done it on RWD cars for decades.

As long as the cover isn't damaged, it's ok.

[Bradley G]

How long??Who are you really?:D
I've jacked the rear of the car from under the pumpkin since new, and we've done it on RWD cars for decades.

As long as the cover isn't damaged, it's ok.

[metroplex]

I've *personally* jacked up the rear end of my 1981 T-bird from under the pumpkin (Ford 7.5", the small wimpy rear end) since 1998, the 1989 E-150, my 2000 Vic, and the 2003 E-250.

My dad bought the 1981 T-bird in 1981 (new) and jacked it up from the rear end and he messed up the cover once. He pounded the cover edge flat using a mallet + plate and it's been leak-free for what, 23-24 years now? I've done diff fluid changes every 2-3 years.

The 89 E-150 was bought new in 89 and was stolen in 2003 - but we serviced the rear just like we normally did.

2000 Vic, 2003 E-250, same thing. Just don't contact the cover and you'll be fine. That is a LOT of stiff iron/steel and it's not going to bend easily.

As for the front end... I've always placed the jack under the front crossmember (81 T-bird is a Fox Chassis, 89 E-150 and 03 E-250 both use offset beams, 00 Vic is somehwat similar to your 03-04 Marauders).

But on the Vic, you really have to shift the point back towards under the crossmember and NOT under that little "wedge" shaped metal that sticks out. I made the mistake of using that wedge and bent it a little.

What I'd like is a full car lift... but that's $$$$ and I can get away with using a jack plus jackstands for peanuts.

[Thomas C Potter]

Another issue is wire harness rubbing at rear of cylider heads.

TP