A flaw in the design of the Sonic's stock Jack?

[key1cc]

Anyone try jacking up their Sonic's rear tire using the stock jack apparatus?
(I have a 2013 LTZ hatch with 17's.)

I tried using the stock jack today unsuccessfully (to install rear Rally Armor mud flaps).

The manual states that the jack locations are marked with "1/2 circle" notches at the suggested jack locations under the car. So far so good as I was able to easily locate the notch which you will see in my attached pics.

When I positioned the jack the "stardard way" with the turning mechanism facing me to allow for easy rotating and lifting I encounted the first flaw.

Picture 1 shows the jack near my rear passenger tire in the appropriate location. Picture 2 shows that the jacks arms encounter obstructions of plastic molding on both sides while raising....before the top of the jack even touches the car. I stopped turning the jack at this point because I did not want to crack/break anything. Pic 4 just shows I would have had to keep raising the jack another 2 inches right through the obstructions if I wanted to use it this way. I did not.

Key1

 

[Eric Smit]

that's because you didn't use the jack right. :/

that little notch in the second picture? that's where the jack goes. look at the top of the jack. it has a little nub to hold it there.


-Eric Smit

 

[key1cc]

that's because you didn't use the jack right. :/

that little notch in the second picture? that's where the jack goes. look at the top of the jack. it has a little nub to hold it there.


-Eric Smit

Thanks but I considered that. That notch is plastic and in no way would support the car...unless you are talking about another notch?

Please enlighten me

Key1

 

[Eric Smit]

-Eric Smit

 

[sonic007]

I always assumed thats where it went. I heard someone say it was a pinch weld and you arent supposed to put it there.

 

[slitzell]

you are def using the jack wrong. the notch eric is pointing to is the correct location

 

[Eric Smit]

the notches are the half circle location.


-Eric Smit

 

[key1cc]

-Eric Smit

I thought that notch was plastic because it is coated with something and feels plastic if you tap it (on mine anyway).....but looking at it from underneath....it looks pretty solid.

Key1

 

[Eric Smit]

yeah, it'll support the weight. done it twice.


-Eric Smit

 

[key1cc]

That's why I come here....

Good info....

Thanks

Key1

 

[key1cc]

I had ended up using my SUV jack anyway before starting the thread....hopefully I did not damage anything.

I took a couple of shots of the spare while I had it out..... didn't realize it wasn't full size. Hopefully I'll never need the little guy.

Key1

 

[Sailurman]

Anyone try jacking up their Sonic's rear tire using the stock jack apparatus?
(I have a 2013 LTZ hatch with 17's.)

I tried using the stock jack today unsuccessfully (to install rear Rally Armor mud flaps).

The manual states that the jack locations are marked with "1/2 circle" notches at the suggested jack locations under the car. So far so good as I was able to easily locate the notch which you will see in my attached pics.

When I positioned the jack the "stardard way" with the turning mechanism facing me to allow for easy rotating and lifting I encounted the first flaw.

Picture 1 shows the jack near my rear passenger tire in the appropriate location. Picture 2 shows that the jacks arms encounter obstructions of plastic molding on both sides while raising....before the top of the jack even touches the car. I stopped turning the jack at this point because I did not want to crack/break anything. Pic 4 just shows I would have had to keep raising the jack another 2 inches right through the obstructions if I wanted to use it this way. I did not.

Key1

But I must say it worked well for my garbage disposal install yesterday

 

[ChrisJ]

The spare is for emergancy use and will handle the car fine.

They used those donuts on cars 3 times the size of the Sonic for over 30 years.

 

[Swordsmith]

My stock jack and doughnut are doing just fine, I have some things piled on top of them in the spare bedroom but I just checked and they aren't even dusty.

When I want to get under the Sonic, I pull up on my Rhino ramps and chock the back tires. Crawling around under something supported at one point just seems, I dunno, claustrophobic. But I do have a hydraulic jack I use if I want to remove wheels. Never considered the stock jack, it looks so cute in its little styrofoam holder.

 

[ChrisJ]

My stock jack and doughnut are doing just fine, I have some things piled on top of them in the spare bedroom but I just checked and they aren't even dusty.

When I want to get under the Sonic, I pull up on my Rhino ramps and chock the back tires. Crawling around under something supported at one point just seems, I dunno, claustrophobic. But I do have a hydraulic jack I use if I want to remove wheels. Never considered the stock jack, it looks so cute in its little styrofoam holder.

I use the parking brake and leave it in 1st on my rhino ramps. Then again, it doesn't roll without any brake on the ramps so chocks just seems like going too far.

But don't let me stop you, safer always better if you're not lazy do it.

 

[Eric Smit]

I chock it out of habit, but it's probably not necessary.


-Eric Smit

 

[theenico]

I ended up using my SUV jack anyway....hopefully I did not damage anything.

I took a couple of shots of the spare while I had it out..... didn't realize it wasn't full size. Hopefully I'll never need the little guy.

Key1

Uhhhh. Why are you jacking on the floor of the car? That is absolutely the wrong way to lift your car. The pinchweld (w/ notch) and the factory jack are there for a reason.

I hope your SUV jack didn't dent your floor.

 

[Opticon]

Funfact: Those are sometimes called "widowmaker" jacks because they offer very little linear stability. Never get under a car held up by one of those.

Now go buy a real floor jack and some stands.

 

[theenico]

Funfact: Those are sometimes called "widowmaker" jacks because they offer very little linear stability. Never get under a car held up by one of those.

Now go buy a real floor jack and some stands.

Agreed. The widow maker is for emergency use only.

 

[seanp1]

Uhhhh. Why are you jacking on the floor of the car? That is absolutely the wrong way to lift your car. The pinchweld (w/ notch) and the factory jack are there for a reason.

I hope your SUV jack didn't dent your floor.

Someone didn't read the whole thread before posting. Eric already corrected the OPs mistake