I just bought an '02 MCS and it needs brakes. I have read the 2X4 jacking method posts here and used it to raise the entire side of the car. I then placed my overkill 6 ton jack stands (15inch minimum height) under the jack points and lowered the car. The car rests on the front jack point, but even with the jack completely removed, the rear jack point is still 2 inches above the stand. Yes the floor is level. Do I need to lift the other side to get the back to lower down onto the stand? Seems scary. Are my stands too tall and that is why it won't rest on both stands? Also the large top of my jack stands won't fit inside the plastic jack point cups and it doesn't seem terribly stable just resting on the outside wall of the cups. Would there be a problem using a longer 2X4, removing the plastic jack point cups and letting the jack stands rest directly on the 2X4 right under the jack points? Should I just get some smaller jack stands? Insight appreciated!

 

When jacking up at any corner, both tires on that side will lift off the ground if the one corner is jacked high enough. I generally jack up the end of the car I won't be working on and will use the jackstand where i will be working.

The jack points are constructed with enough strength so that the top of the stands can safely stradle the outside edges.

 

FIRST...DO NOT work on the car while it is resting on a jack, even if the jack is 6 tons capacity.

Secondly, yes the car frame is very stiff and the front is heavier than the rear so it is possible to get the rear higher than the front.

Recommendation: get another set of jack stands (total of four) and use the 2x4 method. Raise one side, insert stands, raise the other side and insert stands. If you need more height don't worry about raising one side at a time after the stands are in place. Just make sure that while raising the car the jackstands are placed properly and never get your hands between the car and a jack/jackstand...just in case.

Another recommendation: If you haven't gotten your brakes yet, get a ceramic-based pad as it will stop just as quickly and it doesn't make a lot of brake dust. What dust that appears is lighter in color and is not corrosive like the OEM.

Good luck and have fun!!!

 

I jack mine up by the frame just inside and behind the front jack point. It lifts the car up evenly, I then place stands under both jackpoints. The front one is adjusted one click higher than the rear. THe car then apperas to be resting on both jacks. Probably not evenly, but close enough.