Jacking points for 2003 mustang

[DARKSCOPE001]

Hello all. My stepbrother is coming over today, and has asked me to take a look at his brakes on his 2003 mustang.

I just wanted to make sure I understand where a proper place to jack and support is so that I dont hurt myself or damage his car. So I have uploaded a few photos. If you guys could give me some tips and info that would be great.

Thanks
Sean Scott

[Mr.Nutcase]

Put the jack stands under the pinch welds

[DARKSCOPE001]

not arguing your suggestion but I did find this, Its supposed to be a page out of the actual owners manual.

Even with this would you still recommend the pinch welds? Im just not a big fan of pinch welds on the rocker panels because I had a few fold over on me. Didnt structurally bother the car but annoying when you rest the car on stands and it keeps going down when you think its solid.

[Mr.Nutcase]

Originally Posted by DARKSCOPE001

not arguing your suggestion but I did find this, Its supposed to be a page out of the actual owners manual.

Even with this would you still recommend the pinch welds? Im just not a big fan of pinch welds on the rocker panels because I had a few fold over on me. Didnt structurally bother the car but annoying when you rest the car on stands and it keeps going down when you think its solid.

I searched on line
and found this
http://www.v6stang.com/diagrams/Must...ing_Points.pdf

[GirlnAgarage]

Use the points specified in the owners manual. It's your bros car, go by the book.

[tonydanzah]

i only use the pinch welds as a last resort or if i dont care about the care.

[mrholeshot]

Dont put it on the pinch welds unless you plan on crushing the car after you strip it. On the rear I Jack up wifes (when the lift is tied up) on the center of the differental and use jackstands on the tubes. Or where you have it circled if I'm swapping a tire. On the front I I put the jack under the subframe where you have it circled in blue. It's near impossible to get a jack back to the point you show in the center. My wife has an 03 Vert and No low profile jack will reach it. when they are lowered in any amount they can be tough to get a jack under. I have a pair of progressive ramps I use just to be able to get my friends Roush where I can use my lift on it. I use it on my wifes car as well because it's lowed 1.5 inches from stock.

[DARKSCOPE001]

thanks guys. I just got done taking off the drivers side front tire and taking a look at the pads. Pads are pretty worn (still have some life but not much, small brake channel still visible but not worn down as bad as I have seen some pads total pad thickness probably 1/4+" so it needs done im not bothering with the other side im just going to tell him to replace them.) Im still nervous about doing the rear. This is the heaviest car I have ever jacked (only cars I have don to date are a Malibu, elantra, sx4 and crv)

About my jack. It barely fits back far enough to get to the center of the k member. (harbor freight cheepo low profile steel thing that I got as an "upgrade to my cheep 30 dollar trolly jack) but I have to use little baby jack strokes to get it started as the handle hits the front bumper untill its higher. I ended up sopporting the car by the area I had circled. On his car, and maybe its just how the photo makes it look, The exhaust is much closer to the frame rail than it appears in the photo. (stock exhaust)

Thanks everyone any other info as always is appreciated.
Sean Scott

[neonnblack]

Why so much hate against the pinch welds, isnt it one of the strongest points in a unibody? Never had bad luck resting my car on em.

[mrholeshot]

Originally Posted by neonnblack

Why so much hate against the pinch welds, isnt it one of the strongest points in a unibody? Never had bad luck resting my car on em.

Ive seen countless pinch welds fold over. As a garage owner for a long time I had to repair at my expence when one of my inexperianced guys was installing a tire or got in a hurry. The Mustang isnt exactly real light. If the weld folds over on a 03 Mustang GT it can break the rocker cover.

[A_Pmech]

Those photos seem to document what happens when an F-body comes along while a Mustang is out on the playground.

The Mustang just rolls over and plays dead.

[Shadowdog500]

I took blocks of wood and put a slice down them with a table saw so i would saddle the pinch points. I made four to fit the jack stand and one to fit the jack. Works fine, I have used them on several cars.

Chris

[DARKSCOPE001]

Originally Posted by Shadowdog500

I took blocks of wood and put a slice down them with a table saw so i would saddle the pinch points. I made four to fit the jack stand and one to fit the jack. Works fine, I have used them on several cars.

Chris

I thought about that. like taking a 2x4 and putting a dado in it but i couldnt figure out how to make it saddle the jack stand.

Besides I would feel better using a stand in a place where I know its going to support the car by. Sometimes I feel like the pinch welds are there souly for when you get a flat tire and the guy driving remembers "Oh cars have "jacks" in them these days I seen some dude do it before" and its more convenient to reach less than an inch under a car than a foot so thats why I think pinch welds are there.

I wish cars were like aircraft.....sigh..... Jack points are clearly listed. how to jack is clearly specified. even the type of jack you need to use its called out.
oh well

Thanks
Sean Scott

[aussiek2000]

Originally Posted by neonnblack

Why so much hate against the pinch welds, isnt it one of the strongest points in a unibody? Never had bad luck resting my car on em.

I use the pinch welds on the rear on every unibody car when raising it on the hoist. But for a floor jack, I usually try and find a flatter location.

Here is how I would jack it, if raising 1 corner at a time. Use blocks of 2x4 in the rear. My spots in yellow.

[yellowdartdave]

FRONT

Drive front tires up on 2x6 blocks of wood.

Place jack under front cross member.

Jack car up.

Place stands under lower contol arm.

REAR

Jack car up by differential (or trailer hitch if you have one)

Jack stands under rear axle or lower control arms.










If you try to raise it or hold it by the sheetmetal underbody with out a large block of wood to spread the load, you will definetly bend metal.

[thesilverone]

domestic rice spotted in the 3rd pic

[aussiek2000]

Yeah, that spoiler, bumper vents, and scoop thing don't do anything for it.

[Greatbear]

Originally Posted by thesilverone

domestic rice spotted in the 3rd pic

Is that, like, whole grain or something?

[ibedayank]

Originally Posted by Shadowdog500

I took blocks of wood and put a slice down them with a table saw so i would saddle the pinch points. I made four to fit the jack stand and one to fit the jack. Works fine, I have used them on several cars.

Chris

wood SPLITS
hope your life insureance is paid up

[yellowdartdave]

Originally Posted by thesilverone

domestic rice spotted in the 3rd pic

My son's car...and yes it is a Saleen.

He asked if you want to go out and play?
1/4 mile, country roads, etc.

All 03/04 Cobra underneath.... esp. the 'upgardes' on the motor.