[FlyingColors]

Is it too much to look around the corner and suggest that the local tire shop tech not use the rear differential as a jacking point? I was very polite, but insisted that they use the rear axle as a jack point for the floor jacks. The manual specifically shows a picture of a floor jack on the rear differential as an example of what NOT to do. This is my first truck and I hate to be a stickler, but figure I can save some heartache and $ later if I pay attention to the servicing.

The kids in this shop are friendly, but they used the front radius arms as jack points for the front end. I hate to be a sidewalk superintendent, but wouldn't it be a better idea to use the front axles as jack points too, the way that the manual suggests?

Please give me your practical input for what is important and what is not when taking care of the suspension. Thanks!

 

[Oneof6]

[ QUOTE ]
Is it too much to look around the corner and suggest that the local tire shop tech not use the rear differential as a jacking point? I was very polite, but insisted that they use the rear axle as a jack point for the floor jacks. The manual specifically shows a picture of a floor jack on the rear differential as an example of what NOT to do. This is my first truck and I hate to be a stickler, but figure I can save some heartache and $ later if I pay attention to the servicing.

The kids in this shop are friendly, but they used the front radius arms as jack points for the front end. I hate to be a sidewalk superintendent, but wouldn't it be a better idea to use the front axles as jack points too, the way that the manual suggests?

Please give me your practical input for what is important and what is not when taking care of the suspension. Thanks!

[/ QUOTE ]

You are not the only one that has had this problem. You might hate to watch them but if you don't the problems will be yours not theirs. I have had to stop the same stupid stuff myself. Never, Never, ever jack up a vehicle by it's differential chunk. Anyone that has ever rebuilt one will tell you that the backlash and carrier bearing preloads are important. Picture what happens to those clearances when you pick up a load, in a direction the differential was not intended to load. Obviously the tubes flex, not good. In my opinion jacking a vehicle, especially one like a PSD where the front end is so heavy, is a sign of someone careless or uneducated. Oh I have all the excuses, well that is the way Daddy did it and those are heavy duty axles, bunk. A differential is a torque transferring device, use it as intended. And it is not intended to be used as a vertical load carrying point. There are specific jacking points on the vehicle, at the spring to axle tube connection that normally carry the load anyway. That is where one should jack. Secondary, a solid frame point like where the spring pack attatches. Watch them from the sidewalk if you have to like you said they are kids, someone has to teach them. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. 106