Jacking Up Your Cougar

[99CougTRX]

Where are these freakin' jack points? I have a fuel filter and transmission oil to do today and cannot find the jack points on the side of the car...is it okay if I just jack it up from the bottom of the car? I don't wanna damage anything and theres very little info. on here about jacking up your car.. And how would I jack the front up just enough so I could get to my drain plug? If you got pictures that would be great. :biggrin:

[bensenvill]

just use those steel beams
http://img254.imageshack.us/img254/491/d2all1jd8.jpg

oh wait, thats just me. lol. sorry I couldnt resist.

be very careful, it is easy to dent/damage things. your manual should point out the jack points. and dont just pick a random place or use your oilpan. and please note that using the front of your subframe connector can be dangerous as well [I know of at least one person who's punctured their radiator doing that].

[bubby]

There are notches below the rocker panel portion which indicate the correct jacking location.

Wow... No homo.

[ND4SPD]

and please note that using the front of your subframe connector can be dangerous as well [I know of at least one person who's punctured their radiator doing that].

just because the jack failed! :flushed::flushed::flushed: lol, but yes, good advice all the same. I'm now paranoid, and try to schedule raising / lowering the car and anything else with my oil changes and other garage maintenance so I don't have to do it. :rofl:

[99CougTRX]

Sorry for this but.....can you point out these notches? My manual shows one by the front and by the rear wheel well...they're suppose to be triangular? Sorry again.

[bensenvill]

yes matt, I've always been very paranoid about it as well. I had some side damage on my car from jacking it up [one was from a mechanic, and a very small imperfection from myself].


the manual should show you what these knotches look like. they are appropriate to use with the spare tire jack but be warned you are likely to dent in your sides if you simply try using a regular jack in that place.

[MaverickFlyer]

If you are using the spare tire jack use the stock rails. If it is a floor jack just put it under the sub frame. Whatever you do don't use the rockers to lift the car.

[JayZee]

okay, i jack my car up at the beginning of the giant frame tube for front work, and at that thin peice that comes down towards the edge, where the arrow is pointing, but in the back where i have it circled... i've jacked the car up many times and haven't had a problem with those spots.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y262/JakeKicksAss/d2all1jd86.jpg

[GTownCougar]

Subframe connector for me. Rear I use the rocker, but with a piece of wood between the jack and rocker. Not the safest, but stops it from crumpling.

EDIT- Pick up some ramps, I have some and love them. Lifts higher than a jack does, safer, and no wear on anything.

[99CougTRX]

I'm definately gonna get a set of ramps. I got my fuel filter changed no problem, did have to replace that clamp since it was so rusted but very easy. I backed my car onto a huge rock to do this, put it first, pulled the e-brake, and put blocks around the wheels. I started jacking the car up...the seen that where I was jacking it up at, was slightly bending...no more for me....it was right near those " POS notches " as well...maybe it wasn't close enough? IDK. My owners manual just isn't clear enough about these jacking points..

[MaverickFlyer]

I wish I could get my car up on ramps. :rofl:

[JayZee]

I'm definately gonna get a set of ramps. I got my fuel filter changed no problem, did have to replace that clamp since it was so rusted but very easy. I backed my car onto a huge rock to do this, put it first, pulled the e-brake, and put blocks around the wheels. I started jacking the car up...the seen that where I was jacking it up at, was slightly bending...no more for me....it was right near those " POS notches " as well...maybe it wasn't close enough? IDK. My owners manual just isn't clear enough about these jacking points..

Read my post. This is how you jack it up.

[99CougTRX]

Read my post. This is how you jack it up.
I did. So, as far as that thin peice goes which I think is called a "drip" rail...do you just jack it up directly in front of that, right? And are you suppose to put anything between the rocker and the jack? Like, some use wood, long peice of metal, etc...

[JayZee]

I did. So, as far as that thin peice goes which I think is called a "drip" rail...do you just jack it up directly in front of that, right? And are you suppose to put anything between the rocker and the jack? Like, some use wood, long peice of metal, etc...

no, the jack goes directly under the rail... you're jack touches it at the bottom. you use the rail as the support.

[GTownCougar]

Those rails are great for the factory scissor jack as stated, but a floor jack can do a number on the rail, especially if its an older car thats been on harsh roads. And yea, ramps are not for lowered or kitted cars, my car at stock height cuts it kinda close lol.

[bensenvill]

and if you jack up infront of those drip rails, you will bend the bodywork and it will be noticable from the side of the car [and costly to get pulled out].

I believe they recommend using a 2x4 with a knotch cut in it so it fits over the drip rail.

once again, this is why I went with subframe connectors... IE idiot rails for jacking.

[Redlineracer12]

oh wait, thats just me. lol. sorry I couldnt resist.


Make me some of those tubular LCAs :cool: :biggrin:

[boarder4life]

There are notches below the rocker panel portion which indicate the correct jacking location.

Wow... No homo.

hahahaha :rofl: o&a ftw

[SkorpioLT]

heh yeah that reminds me of my first time when I had to lift it up.. I was like where the f***........... hahah