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So what is the recommended way to lift the Miata to a comfortable height to work on wheels, brakes, etc. Ramps, jack and jack stands, etc. Tired of laying on my stomach to work on the car. <G> Harbor Freight has some good deals on "racing jacks", those one handle lifts that the NASCAR boys use. I guess on the rear that would work on the differential and lift both sides at once and then jack stands. Is there a safe lifting place on the front?
The subframe under the motor is a safe lifting point. If you want better clearance, get the heavy duty tall jack stands from HF. They will give you 18"+ of clearance. I like to drive one end onto lifts before I jack the other for the stands, then lift the front in the center and place 2 more stands. With 18", its as close to ideal as you'll get without an actual lift.
Jackjunkies.com
I use a floor jack, placed about midway on the side of the car (a couple of inches aft of the mirror on the door), to lift each side, placing jackstands under the frame rails or the front cradle. I also use an FM jack adapter (http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?...umber=35-70000) although I used a DIY one for years. It was a 2x4 with a slot in it but those split over time, so not necessarily a great idea. Four jackstands make the car much easier to get under than lifting just one end.
I've been using a jack on the pinch weld an going around the car a couple of times to get it all the way up on jack stands. (My car is low.) Been meaning to make myself a small set of wood ramps to drive on to get the car just a bit higher (3-4 inches should do) to make it possible to get to front subframe on first shot or rear control arms. Not sure if I would jack on the diff if you do be very careful not to lift it on the cooling fins they will snap off easily.
I just picked up the HF "highlight" jack. It has 2 ton capacity, goes easily nude a Miata and lifts to 23". This is higher than my jack stands will go.
TMI- How you dress or not to work on the car is up to you!!! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by gsyk59