Drive while on jack stands?

[imagine3163]

Hypothetical question: Say your AWD car is on 4 jack stands with all the wheels off of the ground. Could you put the car in gear and drive it to check for drive train related problems or will something get messed up with the absence of friction on the tires?

What made me think you couldn't is because when you spin one of the back wheels in one direction, the opposite side spins in the opposite direction. However, this is only because the driveshaft isn't rotating right?

 

[HaveBlue83]

yes, it will act like its on the ground when the ENGINE is making the wheels move.

u could tech. do this IF you are stable enough on the stands. i would like to do this to listen for drivetrain noise i have.

better to take it to someone with a LIFT and do it like that so its centered and more stable.

be careful tho!

 

[BLINKY619]

yes..... you can do it.... but not with high speeds.... just imagine it falling of the stands..... would be dangerous

 

[Colt4G63 also]

I've run mine on the lift to 80 MPH. DSMlink said I was making 5,000,000,000 horsepower.

I had the wheels off, and the rotors bolted on with the lug nuts.

I don't think I would run it that fast on stands, and it was only for an instant.
If it's an auto, put it in neutral and shut it off before you put it in park.

 

[imagine3163]

Excellent! Thanks for the replies!

 

[boostedjay32]

i've run mine on the lift to 80 mph. Dsmlink said i was making 5,000,000,000 horsepower.

roflroflrofl

 

[97-gst]

ive done a few 3rd gear awd pulls on jackstands
I decided to quit before it fell at 95 and i went through the wall

 

[Afroclipse]

Hypothetical question: Say your AWD car is on 4 jack stands with all the wheels off of the ground. Could you put the car in gear and drive it to check for drive train related problems or will something get messed up with the absence of friction on the tires?

What made me think you couldn't is because when you spin one of the back wheels in one direction, the opposite side spins in the opposite direction. However, this is only because the driveshaft isn't rotating right?

Its because you have an open differential, hhhmmm wait a second, because the viscous coupler doesn't work unless in high heat it would still act open. Either way it spins the other way because its open diff at that moment.

What kind of driveline issue do you need to check by having all 4 wheels off ground?

 

[2GbTalonGuy]

Not to jack your thread or anything, but why does the sticker in the door jamb tell you not to spin one wheel while the car is lifted?

 

[jrohner]

Not to jack your thread or anything, but why does the sticker in the door jamb tell you not to spin one wheel while the car is lifted?

No, IMO that sticker is saying that if a tire is off the ground, the car could still take off on you, not just sit and spin that tire.