Changing drive train fluids

[Old-Duckman]

OK so I have a set of Race Ramps, purchased generally for oil changes. I want to drain and replace the transmission and differential oil and assume that driving up the ramps then jacking the rear to bring the car level is an accepted technique.

This makes me nervous and I wanted to see if this is what others do and if it is safe. My garage floor is concrete and level but my concern is once on the ramps and I start jacking up the rear:

1 - Are the stops on the ramps good enough to keep the car from rolling forward once the rear is lifted ? The ramps are 8” (203mm) high with a 2 1/4” (51mm) high stops.
2 - Should I jack up the rear one side at a time or jack from the differential?
3 - when putting the axel stands in the rear what if I have to raise it higher than the front to catch a notch in the stands (if that makes sense). Again concerned about the ramps stops.
4 - when lifting the rear is there a possibility that the car would want to roll back off the ramps?
5 - Or, am I better off not using the ramps and just jacking front and rear and using axle stands all around ?

Probably stupid questions but I don’t want to have any expensive mishaps. So looking for some words of confidence and/or warning.

 

[markplant]

Is someone in the car holding the foot brake an option, while you jack the rear

 

[Old-Duckman]

Is someone in the car holding the foot brake an option, while you jack the rear

Well I live alone but I probably could get someone, but they would have to stick around until I was done to do the same thing when I was lowering the rear, Yes?

 

[Jfgoldfish]

The car isn't going to roll over the front stops on your ramps. There is nothing pushing it forward, even if you jack the rear high, still nothing pushing it forward significantly.

The jack will try and pull the car backwards slightly whilst jacking the rear. Watch out for this, make sure the jack can roll easily on a nice smooth surface, rather than pulling the car back. This is always good practice anyway.

I would raise the rear slightly lower than the front if you can't get it level. Then when you do you final fill, pump the jack up slightly to level the car (leave the stands there just incase) so you get the correct amount of oil in the box.

Jack from the point where the two rear braces meet, not from the diff casing itself.

Best of luck, work slowly and calmly. You will catch any mishaps before they happen. The cars weight won't be shifting around fast.

 

[Old-Duckman]

The car isn't going to roll over the front stops on your ramps. There is nothing pushing it forward, even if you jack the rear high, still nothing pushing it forward significantly.

The jack will try and pull the car backwards slightly whilst jacking the rear. Watch out for this, make sure the jack can roll easily on a nice smooth surface, rather than pulling the car back. This is always good practice anyway.

I would raise the rear slightly lower than the front if you can't get it level. Then when you do you final fill, pump the jack up slightly to level the car (leave the stands there just incase) so you get the correct amount of oil in the box.

Jack from the point where the two rear braces meet, not from the diff casing itself.

Best of luck, work slowly and calmly. You will catch any mishaps before they happen. The cars weight won't be shifting around fast.

Thanks, great info!