I’m looking for technical help or recommendations on: Axle Stand Points
I’m doing some suspension and sealing work on my car over the winter. Problem is, I don’t know where I can put my axle stands, because it seems that despite the name, the axles are either inaccessible and/or prove dangerous since I’m replacing shocks and springs.
I’ve perused the forums a fair bit and the posts I can get to load (a good 80% don’t work for some reason) give me some general insight but nothing specific.
All of what I’ve read are regarding the NC, which I would assume is different slightly to an NA. So if anybody has any pictures of where I can place my axle stands (I only have 2) in order to get the car off the ground, it would be much appreciated.
Examples of where to put the stands for the front and for the rear would help a bunch. Cheers
I had this photo saved as my reference for the NA. Essentially place the jack under the front cross member, or the diff casing at the rear - depending on what you needed to do.
Lift, and then place the axle stands on the sill points marked.
I also found this photo on miata.net which highlights other possible support points, if you don’t want, or can’t, place the axle stands along the sills:
Yes it’s a useful guide, I also printed a copy which I still refer to when lifting up my NA. I lower slowly onto the sill points via axle stands. I also have my own rubber pads that I made myself, I place them between the stands and the sill. Prevents metal to metal and reduces damage to any underbody sealant.
I have copied a photo from another post about rust on an NA, so the outer wing panel has been removed. It shows an axle stand being used on the weld seal, me thinks this isn’t the right thing to do. The stand should be on the sill inside of that seal.
The multi weld vertical seam is the strongest part and will spread the load upwards in the best way, Mazda garages put their lifting pads directly onto this point. If it is good enough for Mazda it is good enough for me.
It is exactly where I put my lifting pads.
BUT, my car is new so the area is sound. If the sills are in a rusty and poor condition then you need to asses if the general area is strong enough to support the weight of the car.
