Lifting vehicle by lower control arm

[sgiangregorio]

There's no risk to lifting a NBS Tahoe's corner by the lower control arm, is there? I wanted to check for play in the front end components, so I placed my 3 ton floor jack under the rear fork of the lower control arm right next to the tire on each side, one at a time. I lifted the truck until the wheel was about 2-3" off the ground, checked for play, and put it down. After I did it, I wondered if it was ok. Seems like it would be, as the control arms are already supporting the weight of the vehicle since they connect to the wheels.

 

Am I right?

 

Thanks

[asepgrad98]

yes, it wont hurt the truck.

 

actually you HAVE to lift the truck that way to check the balljoints

[sgiangregorio]

Thanks. Whew. Why do you have to lift it that way to check the ball joints? Wouldn't you get the same effect if you lifted by the frame?

[asepgrad98]

Wouldn't you get the same effect if you lifted by the frame?

 

if you lift it by the frame the torsion bar(or coil spring) pushes the control arms down "loading" the ball joint so you cant feel the play.

[PELICAN]

DOH guess I had better recheck mine. I jacked mine up like normal (jacking it up from the frame) and checked the front end for any play.

[sgiangregorio]

Oh, thanks!

[asilverblazer]

I have to jack that way, frames too high and jack is too short.

[pm26]

If I am not mistaken, this is where they jack up the front end on the alignment machine when doing alignment.