What is the best way to jack up a V6 Camry with a floor jack. I found that when you put it under the pinch welds at the designated locations, the metal bends. The manual states to only use those locations. I am changing my timing belt and want to find an alternate location to raise the vehicle. has anyone tried lifting it from the engine subframe? Any help is greatly appreciated.
Mine is a "Generation 3" (1992-1996). According to the two volume factory repair manual, the sub frames are an acceptable lifting point. In the first part of volume 1 under Maintenance they show black colored squares on a diagram indicating lifting points. I always use the subframes and they are plenty strong. I used to use the pinch welds but one day heard a popping sound as they broke. The idea of a 12" - 2 x 4 would probably have prevented this, but in my opinion, the pinch welds are for the scissors jack road side tire changes. For mechanical work, I feel much safer with the sub frames. Just have a look at the way those large diameter steel tubes are welded to the frame in front - solid, vs. the pinch weld stampings that you could probably bend with a pair of channel lock pliers. Just be sure you're looking at the sub frame not some other piece of weaker sheet metal under there.
Just a little adder, If you look at the trunk jack, it is designed to grab around the seam at the jack point. So if you were to use that point with a regular jack, maybe you could use a 2X4 block of wood with a channed carved in it so that it does not put pressure on the seam as you lift the car. I can believe the seam will bend. It is not very strong.
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