Lift it Right artical in MM

[Stanglover]

Ok, so why are we just hearing about this suspension support brace necessary  when lifting our (any) Mustang on a two post lift or jack for that matter. I had NO idea about this and as the article in MM says "There's no telling how many times during the past 50-odd years spent lifting a Mustang for a simple oil change might possibly have broken the car's shock and strut-rod bushings. The number must be in the millions"

 It seems that these tools were supplied to dealerships, but if Bob Perkins had to make his own, why has nobody with this knowledge produced and marketed these braces? As I have all new components in my front suspension, I am going to make up a set. That will be easier than replacing bushings again and the expense of another alignment.

Comments?

Geoff.

 

[Don C]

I know I had never heard of it. My first "in town" job was at a service station, where I changed oil and tires on many vehicles, never any mention of the load on shocks and I never noticed or heard of any damage on anyone else's or my own cars. I have always performed my own maintenance, I still won't let anyone else even change my oil. Why no mention of rear suspension? Almost every leaf-springed vehicle rear end hangs on the shocks when lifted.

To me it would be an unnecessary PITA to crawl under the front of my car and try to insert the "tool". The only way I know to reach under there with the car on the ground would be to turn the wheels all the way and try to wiggle under the car far enough to insert it. Then what keeps it in place after I crawl out and try to raise the car? Lots of luck to Luxstang and others with lowered vehicles.

 

[73pony]

The only time I have seen this cause any damage was to the top shock bushings when the car was left hanging for long periods of time and those bushings were prob already starting to dry rot. I do not see any issue in lifting your car to work on something without this tool.

 

[Stanglover]

Maybe I was jumping in it too quickly by saying I'm going to make up a set. That would not be hard for me to do, but really, I've had my car on 2 post hoist many times without ever noticing any damage. Comments made make sense, but if Ford thought it necessary back in the 60-70's and Mr. Perkins made up his own set, they obviously think it somewhat necessary.

I guess it comes down to; Okay be aware that damage COULD happen when lifting these cars. Don, you're right, what about the rear suspension hanging. Does it take any weight on the shock bushings? I don't know, never thought about it either. I'm going to be removing the rear end soon, so I'll be looking into that for sure.

 

[red351]

I hear that tool makes a good door stop

 

[Stanglover]

I hear that tool makes a good door stop

 Soooo, I guess the consensus of opinion is "Why Bother".

 I just put this out there because it was something I had never heard about and this article was quite convincing that these supports be used. I do see the point of it, but I also see the difficulty in actually using them. Installing them before lifting the car would be all but impossible for most of us old farts!! I think I'll be aware that damage COULD  happen and leave it at that. To be forewarned is to be forearmed.

Thanks for the input on this to all.

Geoff.

 

[4Vforever]

This is the biggest load of BS I've ever heard of. If it was that much of an issue then a lot of cars of all makes around the world would be having suspension issues. I've lifted hundreds maybe even thousands of cars over the years and have even had my own car hanging up in the air for weeks and never had a suspension issue ever. If it was that big an issue all shops and dealerships would be using them since day dot especially in this day and age of lawsuits.

 Then again Ive got a telepathic system that tells your car about the pitfalls of suspension troubles when jacking it up. So everybody now needs me to do it as I'm the only one on earth qualified or your suspension will fall out, now send me your money and I promise your suspension will be fine when you jack it up after I've performed my service. I can't guarantee what might happen if you don't.            

Disclaimer: No refunds and if for some reason suspension failure happens after this service is performed, don't call me, I'll call you.

 

[Pastel Blue]

I have always put my Mustangs on jackstands over the winter with no issues...

 

[tony-muscle]

You can place a piece of wood between frame and lower arm and will do the trick.

I have also lifted my mustang many times and left lifted for days with no problems. As stated it will stress the shock bushings and if they are old they will probably break. Big deal because that was an early sign that they needed replacement. You can get those bushings for 10 bucks and replace in less than half an hour.

1971 M-code Mach 1

 

[Stanglover]

This is the biggest load of BS I've ever heard of. If it was that much of an issue then a lot of cars of all makes around the world would be having suspension issues. I've lifted hundreds maybe even thousands of cars over the years and have even had my own car hanging up in the air for weeks and never had a suspension issue ever. If it was that big an issue all shops and dealerships would be using them since day dot especially in this day and age of lawsuits.

 Then again Ive got a telepathic system that tells your car about the pitfalls of suspension troubles when jacking it up. So everybody now needs me to do it as I'm the only one on earth qualified or your suspension will fall out, now send me your money and I promise your suspension will be fine when you jack it up after I've performed my service. I can't guarantee what might happen if you don't.            

Disclaimer: No refunds and if for some reason suspension failure happens after this service is performed, don't call me, I'll call you.

 At the start, I posted this because, a, I personally had never heard of a suspension brace being necessary as the article claims, b, if there had been any issues and damage occurring because of unsupported lifting, some of our members would likely have encountered it, and c, constructive comments on this article. What is BS to one person, is sound information to another. Sarcasm is not needed, but thanks for your input which serves to support that a brace in unnecessary. My take on it is that "Okay, damage COULD occurred, watch out for it".

Have a good day,

Geoff.

 

[Stanglover]

You can place a piece of wood between frame and lower arm and will do the trick.

I have also lifted my mustang many times and left lifted for days with no problems. As stated it will stress the shock bushings and if they are old they will probably break. Big deal because that was an early sign that they needed replacement. You can get those bushings for 10 bucks and replace in less than half an hour.

1971 M-code Mach 1

That'll work also.

 

[72HCODE]

my car was hanging in the air for about 4 years, even had the jack stands under the strut rods cross member. nothing happened.

 

[Stanglover]

my car was hanging in the air for about 4 years, even had the jack stands under the strut rods cross member. nothing happened.

Like I said, the consensus of opinion is the braces are unnecessary on our Mustangs. I had never heard of this and it seems no-one else has either.

The take away on this then is; damage could  occur to unsupported suspension bushings, just be aware of it.

 Just because none of us have seen issues, doesn't mean nothing has happened. I will be keeping an eye on my suspension in future. What everyone else does is their choice.

Thanks for all the comments on this article, it's been interesting.

Geoff.

 

[73pony]

This was discussed in a previous thread.

https://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-lifting-car-and-suspension-damage?highlight=perkins

 

[Stanglover]

This was discussed in a previous thread.

https://www.7173mustangs.com/thread-lifting-car-and-suspension-damage?highlight=perkins

That's interesting. I do get Mustang 360, but rarely bother to read it as mostly it has no interest to me. The printed article was the first I'd seen on the subject. What is surprising is that most of the members who posted in that thread, did not comment on this post. Just scanning through the link you provided, it would appear that some members were aware of the possible problem, but most were not.

Thanks for the link,

Geoff.