[zacmac]

I recently read a thread that mentioned alternative jack points for Outlooks but no further information was provided. I would like to get the front end off the ground and on jack stands to change the oil. The problem is, where GM indicates the best jack points are is where I need to put the floor jack to lift the vehicle and then place the jack stands. I can't lift it and then put the jack stands in the same place.

I was wondering if there is a lift spot under the front end, and back end for that matter, to lift the front/rear tires and then place the jack stands under the indicated points?

 

[rbarrios]

this tool will make it easy for you...
it will lift 1/2 of the vehicle- as you can see- the 2 right tires are off the ground.
if you just need to raise the front- you can place the jackstands on the front.
I also use it to rotate tires.

 

[rbarrios]

original post...
with link to the site weve bought ours from.

http://www.saturnoutlookforum.net/index.php?topic=831.0

 

[zacmac]

That looks like an awesome add on for the floor jack. Thanks!

I see that you are putting your floor jacks for the back end in the middle of the chassis, where about are you putting them... do you have a picture for that?

Thanks again.

 

[rbarrios]

I placed the jacks on this---its right in front of the spare tire.
If you have AWD-- it may be different?
Man- that one piece looks all crooked-.. this is because the jack is lifting the rt half of the vehicle- and moved the shaft on the pivot pt of the jack stand. (make sense?) next time Ill turn the stand 90 degrees.

 

[zacmac]

Wow, great shots! FWD for me, so I think I should be good. Makes perfect sense... this was all a huge help! Thanks for taking the time and the quick responses!

 

[rbarrios]

Glad I could help.
The tool is best used on a 3 TON + jack (I wouldnt use a smaller jack)--- as you can see the jack is lifting HALF the car-

Checkout the other forums too (traverse. acadia etc) as Ive posted pics on threads with titles of HOW TO oil changes or something like that.

 

[BigTallV]

I've successfully jacked up the front of my Outlook on the body mount location indicated in my photo as well. This is just aft of where the front axle stands are shown in RBarrios' pictures. This is one of the positions where mechanics locate their hoist pads.

 

[zacmac]

I've successfully jacked up the front of my Outlook on the body mount location indicated in my photo as well. This is just aft of where the front axle stands are shown in RBarrios' pictures. This is one of the positions where mechanics locate their hoist pads.

I looked under the rear end where RBarrios showed he positions his jacks, right in front of the spare tire. However, on my Outlook, the exhaust forks right around this area and blocks the support.

Based on what you just posted BigTallV, are there spots on the back end or body mounts that could support the vehicles weight like those in the front?
Thanks!

 

[BigTallV]

Yah, with the dual exhaust there's lots of stuff to contend with particularly when it comes to jack placement and axle stand placement. This is where RBarrios' unit body jacking tool comes in handy. It may also explain why he's using two different types of axle stands (ones at the rear have thinner 'cradle' area) which would make it ideal for slipping into position around where exhaust pipes are concerned.

Regardless, it's raining here today and was last night quite a lot. I'll post back once I get a good look. I only jacked the front end when I did my most recent oil change (UOA results were posted on BITOG if you're into researching good oils for a DI engine). The tire rotations done thus far have been by dealer or tire shop. So I haven't jacked up the back end, but from what I recall seeing, there's enough 'meaty' spots to put your jack and stands.

 

[zacmac]

Great BigTallV, any input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[salguod]

That tool looks quite useful and at $24 shipped, pretty inexpensive.

I'm disappointed that there are no jack points in the owner's manual. My Odyssey owner's manual called out a central jacking point, front and rear. Come to think of it, maybe that was the service manual.

Interesting, I have the same 3 ton jack, 4 legged 'ratchet' stands (did you buy the kit too?) and a pair of the older, 3 legged stands. I don't use the 3 leg ones any more, I bought another pair of the 4 legged ones. Those 3 legged ones are too easy to get tilted. If I'm getting under my 2.5 ton Outlook, 2 ton T'bird or 1.5 ton Mazda3, I want it supported securely. I don't think anyone sells those 3 leg stands anymore for that reason.

I would also use the jacking points near where he put that tool to place the stands. That places them far apart for a nice stable base for the car to sit on. Hopefully I won't have to jack it up that often for some time, although I do need to remove the wheels to install my splash guards.

 

[BigTallV]

Great BigTallV, any input would be greatly appreciated.

I took a look today, and yes - the same body mounts are found just up in behind the rear springs - lower A arm area. You'll find it between the A-arm and the muffler/resonator. I didn't get my jack out to check fitment/clearance. I took some quick pictures and will resize and post them later (no time today). So am just quickly responding to you.

The dual exhaust runs along the underside of the sub-frame assembly that the lower A-arms attach to (the location that RBarrios uses for his axle stands). This sub-frame assembly is a nice meaty location to place axle stands, but the exhaust pipe on the Outlook XR will be a bit of an issue.

An alternate location to place axle stands is right where the lower A-Arm attaches to the sub-frame assembly. Just spin the axle stand(s) such that they 'cradle' the a-arm properly where it meets the sub-frame assembly and that the axle stand cradle doesn't have any chance of slipping/moving.

 

[BigTallV]

Here's some photos, again as you can see the exhaust may pose an interference when attempting to jack the vehicle up or placing axle stands on the sub-frame/cross-member that the lower A-arms attach to. There are body mounts (also pictured from left and right sides) that are just in front of the resonators. I did not test with my floor jack to see if these would be accessible, they are a bit higher up, so your jack may not reach them. The resonators may be a bit of an impediment as well.

Suspension components are a bit of a risky area for jacking points. I have provided photos of the area where the lower A-arm pivot is connected to the sub-fram/cross-member. The 'ears' on either side of the pivot are not 'boxed-in', and therefore inherently weaker than a fully boxed framing. You could try using this location. As previously mentioned, I have not yet jacked the back end of my vehicle up as tire rotations have been done thus far at dealership and tire-shop.

I will get another look and take some more pictures of alternate jacking points when I get a bit more time with some daylight.

Regards,
/BTV