I understand basically that lifting it with a crank or hydraulic lift (usually equipped with most vehicles) is enough for changing a flat tire, but if I need to slide up under it,.what‘s the SAFEST method for getting underneath to do minor work on suspension? Need some advice here before I go and hurt myself. Thanks
There's any number of stands, jacks, or overhead winches you can use to get the car up in the air. BUT READ THIS: A cheap safety backup is to slide a wheel or two under the vehicle (full-size spares, etc.). If the stand/jack/winch fails (you accidentally kick it over, the car moves, the overhead support buckles, etc.), the car will fall on the spares, hopefully keeping open enough space for you. You can also lower the car down onto the wheels to relieve the strain on whatever it was you used to lift up the car in the first place. If the car is really high up or your wheels aren't thick enough, you can stack a couple wheels on top of each other, though you don't want to get the stack so high that it would be unstable when you need it. Somewhat obviously, the wheels should be laying on their sides and should be placed to catch the car right.
NEVER WORK UNDER A CAR WHEN JUST RESTING ON THE JACK! That is a very good safety rule. Car ramps or car stands (jack stands), are best for when working under a vehicle at home, better still would be a pit or a hoist, but you're unlikely to have access to those. The ramps will elevate the car, either front or rear, but not both at the same time. The stands can be used to get all four wheels off the ground but then you will need four of them. For the ramps, you just drive your vehicle onto them. For the stands you jack up the car, put the stands in place, then remove the jack, making sure the stands are taking the weight on the chassis.
Jack stands on a hard level surface. Buy 4 of them, put all 4 under the end you are working on and block the wheels that are on the ground so it can't roll. A hydraulic floor jack is recommended, and don't crawl under the car when no one else is around. Always have a helper who knows how to operate the jack.
