[Josh98]

Searched for a thread already but couldn't find one. I have a 2010 3 and am doing the rear wheel bearing this weekend. I was wondering where people usually jacked the car from and placed the jackstands. I was going to jack from the centre of the rear crossmember and putting the jackstands under the pinch welds but don't want to throw out the alignment. Was just wondering where people usually put theirs in the back as well as the front as the spot on the front subframe is a pain to reach with my normal floor jack.
Thanks in advance!

 

[arathol]

I was going to jack from the centre of the rear crossmember and putting the jackstands under the pinch welds but don't want to throw out the alignment.

That is where the actual jack points are. Front jack points are on the pinch weld right behind the front wheel, rear jack points are right in front of the rear wheel. Put the stands with pinch weld pads on the jack points. Using the pinch welds as a support point has nothing to do with the alignment.

 

[Josh98]

That is where the actual jack points are. Front jack points are on the pinch weld right behind the front wheel, rear jack points are right in front of the rear wheel. Put the stands with pinch weld pads on the jack points. Using the pinch welds as a support point has nothing to do with the alignment.

Sorry meant using the centre of the rear crossmember to throw off the alignment

 

[arathol]

Sorry meant using the centre of the rear crossmember to throw off the alignment

If you are jacking it up on something that will throw off the alignment you are doing it wrong.....:surprise:

 

[ElNino77]

I just did springs on my car. As previous poster mentioned, i just jacked up the car with the pinch weld points, leaving room to slip in the jack stand next to it and let it down. There are recesses in the trim at those points.

On rwd/4wd vehicles ive used the rear end to jack it up in the center, no idea about fwd if there is any similar agreed safe method other than aforementioned manufacturer recommended points, one side at a time.

 

[heebs28]

Hopefully this helps you.

 

[Josh98]

Hopefully this helps you.

Thank you was looking for something like that for awhile!

 

[Josh98]

I just did springs on my car. As previous poster mentioned, i just jacked up the car with the pinch weld points, leaving room to slip in the jack stand next to it and let it down. There are recesses in the trim at those points.

On rwd/4wd vehicles ive used the rear end to jack it up in the center, no idea about fwd if there is any similar agreed safe method other than aforementioned manufacturer recommended points, one side at a time.

Would use those but I want to put my jackstands there and my jack pad takes the entire pinchweld

 

[ElNino77]

Would use those but I want to put my jackstands there and my jack pad takes the entire pinchweld

I had similar issue, was able to fit the jackstands further along the pinchweld - the area that is partially covered by the underside trim, by kinda tucking the jack stand under there....it's still the pinchweld so figured it was good - I didn't have any problems at least. That said, my jack par is pretty small, maybe the size of a baseball so it yours is larger, that's even less room.

 

[kms1990]

anywhere you attach to the frame is good the diagrams listed above are about the best spots do not prop it up on fluid pans or axles as this can bend them. jackstands I would jack up the car and slide the jack stand on the weld right beside the jack, most jack stands barely fit even on an unlowered car but as long as you get a solid surface that is part of the frame near the pinch weld you should be ok

 

[spaniel1287]

Thanks for the helpful info.

 

[mshabso1]

This was very helpful, thanks.

 

[CerealKiller]

I recently bought some Duralast 2 Ton Jack Stands and was wondering if I should use pinch well pads with them, as @arathol suggested, or if they will be fine without them.

Anyone have any experience using jack stands on our Mazdas?
CK

 

[rtware923]

I put mudflaps on mine last weekend. Just put the jack stand on the behind the pinch weld so i didn't crush it

 

[arathol]

I recently bought some Duralast 2 Ton Jack Stands and was wondering if I should use pinch well pads with them, as @arathol suggested, or if they will be fine without them.

Anyone have any experience using jack stands on our Mazdas?
CK

Those are really axle stands. The pinch welds are not intended to support the weight of the vehicle as would happen if you put an axle stand under it. The jack points have a reinforced area behind the pinch weld that is actually where the hard point is. The pad fits over the pinch weld and supports the car without putting stress on it. You can probably turn the stands sideways and put the saddle behind the pinch weld but there is no way to secure it and it can easily slip....:surprise:

I use Esco stands with a flat top for the pads to sit on. They work better than the axle stands in that its very hard to put any sort of pad on the saddle of the axle stand.

 

[CerealKiller]

Thanks for setting me straight. I just ordered the jack pad pinch weld adapters and the ESCO jack stands off of Amazon. Should be arriving in a couple of days.

I'm going to do the installation next Thursday, followed by an alignment on Friday. I'm making sure I have all of the tools and equipment I'll need in the meantime.
CK

 

[rpl3000]

I made a similar weld support out of some wood. works great with the axle type stands. I've heard of people using hockey pucks with a slot cut in them too.

To get jack stands in the rear I'll put the jack under the front jack point and lift up both wheels. Do the same for the other side. To get the jack stands in the front put the jack at the rear wheel and lift the whole side.. you get the idea.

 

[greenpeace]

This is an awesome write up, thanks.