Swapping Out Wheels Using One Jack - Possible or Risky?

CbusHondaFan

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I currently have 19" Motegi wheels on my Type R with all-season Conti's. I want to put my OEM wheels back on my car for the summer. The OEM Conti's still have some decent tread left (5/32 to 6/32) and I was wondering is it possible to do it myself with just one jack? The car chassis is so stiff that the whole side of the car will lift off the ground just using a jack on either the front or rear jack point. That way I could easily change both the front and rear wheels just using one jack point. Any concerns with doing it that way?
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trucke

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I just lift from the side jacking point behind the front wheel. You must have a low profile jack to clear the sideskirts. Lifts the whole side of the car. Change two wheels at time. Make sure to torque the lugs to 94 ft lbs.
 

Si_chRis

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I just lift from the side jacking point behind the front wheel. You must have a low profile jack to clear the sideskirts. Lifts the whole side of the car. Change two wheels at time. Make sure to torque the lugs to 94 ft lbs.
This. The chassis is stiff enough to lift the car evenly from one jack point.

Honda Civic 10th gen Swapping Out Wheels Using One Jack - Possible or Risky? IMG_20190521_163956
 


BoostedDreams

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I just lift from the side jacking point behind the front wheel. You must have a low profile jack to clear the sideskirts. Lifts the whole side of the car. Change two wheels at time. Make sure to torque the lugs to 94 ft lbs.
Standard harbor freight jack works as well.
 

Z3papa

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possible......yes

recommended......no

safe......no
What are you talking about? Of course it is recommended for you to be able to jack a side of the car up with a single jack. It's done all the time and reason why NO auto manufacturer ever has included 2 jacks. Is it best practice to use a jack stand under the rear jack pad, yes but it is clearly recommend and with a stand totally safe. I'll take it a step further, how would using two jacks make it safer?
 

martindtjr

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What are you talking about? Of course it is recommended for you to be able to jack a side of the car up with a single jack. It's done all the time and reason why NO auto manufacturer ever has included 2 jacks. Is it best practice to use a jack stand under the rear jack pad, yes but it is clearly recommend and with a stand totally safe. I'll take it a step further, how would using two jacks make it safer?
I would use a jack stand or at least put one wheel under it. I'm still paying for an old accident. I did to myself. I was working on the transfer case on Galant VR-4. Forgot something and went to recheck it. It slipped dropped on my face. Spllt my lip ,cracked my front tooth. 10 plus years later, I go to the dentist. Toothache he X Rays me and asks if I'm a boxer. I say no. He shows me the picture of it. Then he asks if I had an accident along time ago. Then I remember. Opps...
I did. Now, I have to get two tooth implants. Only 6000 dollars$$$.
 


stevessvt

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What are you talking about? Of course it is recommended for you to be able to jack a side of the car up with a single jack. It's done all the time and reason why NO auto manufacturer ever has included 2 jacks. Is it best practice to use a jack stand under the rear jack pad, yes but it is clearly recommend and with a stand totally safe. I'll take it a step further, how would using two jacks make it safer?
Honda Civic 10th gen Swapping Out Wheels Using One Jack - Possible or Risky? 1589849330861
 

VinRRR

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Hydraulic jack is meant to jack the car the up to give enough room for a jack stand. It’s not meant to hold your car up for a long period of time. I would put at least 1 jack stand In the rear in case the hydraulic jack fails.

Yeah, but tires shop leave customer’s car on hydraulic jack all the time. But for me, I would be better safe and sorry. I always have a back up in case something fails.
 

Gruber

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Manufacturer instructions for "changing a tire" include only one flimsy jack included with every car. Cars are not equipped with jack stands. And you do it out on the road with whatever conditions you find. They recommend putting a wheel under the car in case the jack fails. And, you are not supposed to put any part of your body under the car when changing a wheel. You don't need to. You only need jack stands for safety if you put jour body parts under the car.

That's how you replace wheels on the car and that's how millions of people including even a few ladies in high heels have done it. Just. One. Jack.

Except, changing the wheel not adjacent to the jack holding the car is not standard. I would move the jack to every wheel unless you verify it's stable at the other wheel.
 
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AdamD19DFK8

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I just put the car on 4 Jack stands when rotating tires. Also use that time to inspect brakes and clean out the front heat shields.

Thing that sucks though is you need 2 Jack's to lift it up by the front and center point that's behind the front wheels. Even with a low profile jack its still no where near close enough to reach. Jack up from one of the side points then slide the main Jack under. The rear is easy luckily.

Don't skimp out on safety and get some stands, they're cheap.

It sucks this car doesn't come with a jack or a spare tire. Gotta have a spare set of wheels lol. The only reason I'm still holding onto the stock chonkers
 


 


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