Rest on brake discs?

[Dbear]

I've got a 96 Suburban, and I've discovered the joys of trying to reach inside the engine compartment to do any kind of work. Standing on one of my ramps helps a lot, but the things keep sliding on me. It occurred to me that I really need to lower the whole front end, but I think my jack stands are too tall to fit anywhere useful if I do that. Would it be a really bad idea to take the wheels off and just rest the front brake discs on plywood?

[Scrapper]

Originally Posted by Dbear

I've got a 96 Suburban, and I've discovered the joys of trying to reach inside the engine compartment to do any kind of work. Standing on one of my ramps helps a lot, but the things keep sliding on me. It occurred to me that I really need to lower the whole front end, but I think my jack stands are too tall to fit anywhere useful if I do that. Would it be a really bad idea to take the wheels off and just rest the front brake discs on plywood?

you could but you might have to bend backing plate in place or just take backing plate loose or off and set it on plywood. someone else on here might have another idea. you don't have a cherry picker do you?

good luck.

[777stickman]

A friend had the same issue and ended up letting the air out of the front tires. But you'll need an air compressor to get them back up again and definitely don't leave them that way for any length of time as you could damage the bead and/or sidewall.

Another option would be removing the front wheels and place blocks of wood under the lower control arms.

I would never lower the car to the ground on the brakes.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by Dbear

I've got a 96 Suburban, and I've discovered the joys of trying to reach inside the engine compartment to do any kind of work. Standing on one of my ramps helps a lot, but the things keep sliding on me. It occurred to me that I really need to lower the whole front end, but I think my jack stands are too tall to fit anywhere useful if I do that. Would it be a really bad idea to take the wheels off and just rest the front brake discs on plywood?

make a platform with some 2x4 and 1/2 inch plywood..

I have one I made a long time ago ...30 inches wide 6 ft long..about 16inches high..

[Dbear]

Unfortunately, I don't have a cherry picker. Blocks under the control arms is an interesting idea, but I may just bite the bullet and build a box. Or maybe I could take the hood off and roll in onto its side...oh, never mind.

Thanks all.

[slo99sierra]

Those trucks have a lot of area for a decent spot to sit on, so grab a step-stool and climb in the engine bay and commence wrenching

If you are going to take the hood off, you will need the assistance of another person to slide the hood on top of the roof or into the bed. But if you put it on the roof, you will need some old towels, blankets, or use painters drop cloth to keep the hood from scratching/damaging the roof.

[MT-2500]

Originally Posted by Dbear

Unfortunately, I don't have a cherry picker. Blocks under the control arms is an interesting idea, but I may just bite the bullet and build a box. Or maybe I could take the hood off and roll in onto its side...oh, never mind.

Thanks all.

A good 2 step step ladder works but sometimes you have to stand on one leg.
In a pinch a 12-16 high plast milk craton/crate will help.
A home made box would be better.
Also they make a over the hood step and platform that you can step up and lay on to work on it.
Or build a big 12' wide x 5-6 ft long platform that hooks on front bumper.
We used them on large trucks over 35 years ago.
More than one way to get up there.

[j cAT]

Originally Posted by MT-2500

A good 2 step step ladder works but sometimes you have to stand on one leg.
In a pinch a 12-16 high plast milk craton/crate will help.
A home made box would be better.
Also they make a over the hood step and platform that you can step up and lay on to work on it.
Or build a big 12' wide x 5-6 ft long platform that hooks on front bumper.
We used them on large trucks over 35 years ago.
More than one way to get up there.

I don't like stools or ladders. you got to constantly move adjust to get them in the correct position...

making a wooden platform and fabricate for your size/need would be cheap and a secure way to do work inside the engine bay..

putting wheels on the legs with locks would be a niece setup..