car on jackstands question

[BarryK]

I know it's not good to leave the car up on jackstands and the suspension hanging unsupported for an extended period of time, but what is a relatively safe amount amount time that it can be left up on the stands.

I want to get her up on stands and start cleaning up the underside best i can and it's not exactly going to be a one day job.......
just need to get an idea how long she can stay up safely on the stands before I need to drop her back down again before I risk damage to the bushings, etc.

are we talking a day or two, a week or two, a month or two, or what?

thanks.

 

[Wilkinshc]

As far as I know it shouldn't hurt anything if you have it up on jack stands forever. What would it hurt? Probably help if your not driving it for a long period of time (months). Up on stands would keep the tires from getting flat spots. You could start and put in gears and lube things up (granted tires are off ground and all moving parts (driveline & halfshafts) are clear).

Chuck

 

[Vettsmith]

Berry

I put my jack stans under the shocks so the car is sitting on the suspension.
Smitty
A.K.A. vettsmith

 

[BarryK]

Chuck and Junk, almost everything I've read on the various forums to date tell me that leaving the suspension hanging was bad for it as it's handing unsupported in such a way the suspension was never designed for. It puts pressure on the bushings and other areas that can make the bushings fail - or so it was my understanding anyway.

Smitty, the rear stands go directly where the lower shock mounts are and the front stands directly on the lower A-arm under the front coils?
I guess doing that does completely support the suspension.
The few times (twice only) so far i've had it up on stands I just put the stands on the frame rails but I can try under the suspension.

 

[67HEAVEN]

If mine is on stands for longer than a few days, I remove the wheels. This accomplishes two things. Removes weight from the hanging suspension, and provides lots more room for getting at things and working under there.

As for positioning of the stands, I always place them in the frame-jacking positions.

 

[BarryK]

thanks Bob

I don't have any major repairs under there - just basic wiping down of every to remove two summers of road dust and sanding dust from the paint shop.
when I bought the car you could have eaten off the bottom of it it was so clean so I just want to try and maintain that. I figure a few days to a week or so at most i'd need it up on stands to get at things with Simple Green and brake cleaner and a rag.
I guess i'll be safe for that short amount of time than.

 

[maxphunn]

I don't have any major repairs under there - just basic wiping down of every to remove two summers of road dust and sanding dust from the paint shop.
quote]

Oh oh! Any guesses as to what Barry will find under there that will require
"freshening up"?

 

[IH2LOSE]

Oh oh! Any guesses as to what Barry will find under there that will require
"freshening up"?

Boy your on target with this.

I was happy as a clam with my 66,until the night I had it up on my storage lift and had a clear and easey view of the undercarrage.

Its a whole new area to work on.

Best of luck under there and be safe