[connorlikesbikes]

Hey guys, so I first ran into this problem when I was trying to rotate my tires, according the owners manual. Now, I'm being a typical teenager, and painting my wheels black. It'd be nice to take all 4 wheels off at once, so I can paint them together. My problem is that I can't find what seems to be a solid point on the frame to put the jack stand. I've dug around on the forums, but haven't come up with anything. I don't want to support the weight of the car on one point, and it bend or tweak something. Any help is appreciated, Thanks!!

 

[connorlikesbikes]

Sorry, you're all probably thinking I'm retarded. It clearly states in the owners manual the jack points, which I have found, but how do I jack the car up to the desired height, and put the jack stand under the jack point, when the jack is already there.

 

[AWDFTW]

You should be able to jack by the differential housing.

 

[bradze]

the front jack point is fairly obvious, and yes the rear diff will work for the back. jack the car up in the front, put a jack stand on each side under the driver's side door and passenger side door. there is a rail on each side under the doors, there are cutouts in this rail where a jack goes. i believe all modern cars have this. the owner's manual shows you this, id take a pic if it wasn't dark.

also, i've painted wheels and will never do it again. wait til ya need new tires, dismount the old ones, have the wheels sandblasted and powdercoated, get new tires mounted on the freshly powdercoated wheels, never ever worry about them again. or be a cheap ass and keep repainting them every few months or any time you need to go near the lug nuts with a wrench, whenever you encounter any type of non-manicured road, etc...

 

[1 Lucky Texan]

OK, you will need at least 2 jackstands, and an appropriately rated bottle or (best) floor jack. Don't use the energency scissor jack on the rear diff to lif the entire rear of the car. Do it safely, or do paint them 1 or 2 at a time.

 

[taiguy]

You can setup jack stands pretty much anywhere along the car's cradle frame. It's thick rectangular framing that runs the length of the car.

 

[MichaelC]

From what I understand you can only jack safely by the differential, the center jack point in front and the pinch welds on the rocker panels. Sub frames aren't supposed to be used for jacking.

 

[Outback-Commuter]

the front jack point is fairly obvious, and yes the rear diff will work for the back. jack the car up in the front, put a jack stand on each side under the driver's side door and passenger side door. there is a rail on each side under the doors, there are cutouts in this rail where a jack goes. i believe all modern cars have this. the owner's manual shows you this, id take a pic if it wasn't dark.

also, i've painted wheels and will never do it again. wait til ya need new tires, dismount the old ones, have the wheels sandblasted and powdercoated, get new tires mounted on the freshly powdercoated wheels, never ever worry about them again. or be a cheap ass and keep repainting them every few months or any time you need to go near the lug nuts with a wrench, whenever you encounter any type of non-manicured road, etc...

I like your rims in the picture. Are they lighter than stock? If so, the unsprung weight probably makes it move better. Did you transfer the TPMS sensors or buy new ones? If so, how did you program them? thanks.

 

[connorlikesbikes]

Awesome, thanks for the help guys. I used Plasti dip to get an idea of what would look like with black wheels. I'll get them powder coated when I get a chance/have another vehicle for a few days.

 

[soobienewbie]

Connor, I too was confused regarding the jack points. The manual really only refers to the included scissor jack and the way it is meant to hug the pinch weld, almost like a paper-clip. When working under the front of the car, the jack point I use is the front engine mount/cradle point. I use a floor jack with a hockey puck to lift up the front end and then put jack stands under the front doors with the rubber pads of the stands straddling the pinch weld. That seems to work well. As for the rear of the vehicle, I haven't had to jack it up, but have read on most every thread that the differential is accepted. I'd use the floor jack hockey puck setup on that as well when the time comes. Given that the stands are cheap, I'd use a third pair if I ever jack the car completely off the ground.

Here's a few threads I've read through... not all are about Gen4's but are good reads....

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/104-gen-4-2010-present/40609-front-center-jacking-point.html

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/81-wheels-tires-brakes-suspension/18994-best-way-lift-car-brake-pad-change.html

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/99-do-yourself-illustrated-guides/5845-lifting-supporting-points-3.html


HF Floor Jack: Heavy Duty 3 Ton Floor Jack with Rapid Pump

HF Stands: 3 Ton Jack Stands

HF Rubber Pads: 2 Piece Rubber Pads for Jack Stand

It clearly states in the owners manual the jack points

Heater, Is that really your contribution to this thread/forum? The OP has clearly read the manual and is asking us forum members for some advice. Since you're familiar with the manual you know it's limitations, especially when it comes to detailed descriptions and illustrations. If the manual covered all aspects of vehicle ownership and maintenance, we wouldn't need a forum like this.