Jacks & BMW's

PhilFausz · **Posted:** Sat Dec 10, 2005 11:53 am

My 3-ton jack isn't long enough to fit under the front crossmember of the M3. It won't fit under the front sway bar either.

I'd rather not get ramps if that's an option. What tool(s) or method(s) are you guys using?

p

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

Got a second jack? Lift one side up a few inches to be able to slide the 3-ton in from the front.

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

I can't just slide a jack under the front of the Z06 either. Especially since I lowered it another inch. I have 2 approaches.

1. A couple of short 2x10 peices. Drive the front wheels onto them to get a little bit of lift. Then slide the jack underneath to the crossmember. It's easier with a long handled jack like the aluminum racing jacks.

2. Get the BMW jacking pucks and just lift from the side you need for simple stuff like oil changes etc... I got the pucks installed on the Z and just leave them there.

If you really need ramps I have an older set that are metal. The incline doesn't work with a C4 or C5 without making a step up to it. You can have them if you want to come and get them.

Graham

DanDurusky · **Joined:** Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:31 pm **Posts:** 686

yeh my car is lowered about an inch and i had to roll the car up on ramps just go get a jack under the front cross member to jack it up high enough to put it on jack stands..

it was pretty... crappy. i've seen adapaters that slide into the stock jack holes in the side of the car that provide a platform for a standard jack. thats probably the ticket

steve remchak · **Posted:** Sun Dec 11, 2005 11:24 pm

check bimmerworld's website. they have a wonderful little thing that inserts into the factory jacking points (the holes in the rocker panel) lifts the entire side of the car. a larger jack will also do the trick, jack the rear under the diff. and the front at the jacking points on the underbody. works for me, may not be the best.

Graham Jagger · **Joined:** Fri Aug 29, 2003 12:53 am **Posts:** 1718

Those are Jacking Pucks. Just pick them up at Leith BMW for about the same price it would cost you to order+shipping. Tell them you're a BMWCCA member or something. I got the parts guy to give me them at a discounted price.

Steve they also fit your Z06 very nicely.

Graham

steve remchak · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2005 8:33 am

Graham, i have one of those for my vette. this other thing is shaped like a ping pong paddle and slides into the holes on the side of the e36.

robharvey · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2005 9:31 am

I use a small jack that I got from HF.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/D ... mber=91039

I can lift the entire front or rear end at once. However, once I lower the car, I'll probably have to go back to driving up on to the blocks of wood that I used before I had this jack.

I also plan on getting the Torin Aluminum Jack Stands when I have some xtra $$$. 4 of these would be nice to have at events if you need to make some unexpected repairs!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007X ... e&n=228013

Wes Eargle · **Joined:** Mon Oct 27, 2003 9:47 am **Posts:** 3683

Ugh, I don't like the base of those at. all.

MikeWhitney · **Joined:** Wed Aug 20, 2003 9:15 pm **Posts:** 4724

I'll say it again:

MikeWhitney wrote:

Got a second jack? Lift one side up a few inches to be able to slide the 3-ton in from the front.

Why mess with jack boards or anything else? I've been doing this for years and years, but it sounds like no one else is. Any particular reason this isn't popular?

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:37 am

When it comes to jackstands, I have found no better than these for the money:

http://www.hugediscountmall.com/Goodyea ... s_p614.htm

I bought them at Sam's and they were about $45 a pair. I bought two pairs. The bases are huge and they can get the car off the ground up to 2', which makes pulling a tranny much more pleasant. I also like that they have 'locks' so that if the internal structure of the risers were to have a problem, there is a secondary safety measure.

One other nice feature is that the corners all have a flat plate about 2" wide on them, thus they tend not to want to dig into the ground when you're paddocked in a dirt/sand area like VIR.

- AB

AndersGreen · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2005 11:40 am

MikeWhitney wrote:

Any particular reason this isn't popular?

I have a guess: often more room in the front of a car when working in a domestic garage. Doing anything on the side can be a pain. I know that my habits would change if I always had 10' clearance around the entire car. (Not saying you do, Mike.)

Cheers,
Anders

ps: In five years we'll all be hearing from Mike: "I just pull up over my lift and raise it up. I've been doing this for years, is there any reason it isn't popular?" *grin*

pps: Man, I wish I had one of those lifts.

robharvey · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2005 7:38 pm

MikeWhitney wrote:

I'll say it again:

MikeWhitney wrote:

Got a second jack? Lift one side up a few inches to be able to slide the 3-ton in from the front.

Why mess with jack boards or anything else? I've been doing this for years and years, but it sounds like no one else is. Any particular reason this isn't popular?

I was referring to how I manage this at events. I use two jacks when I'm working in my garage.

robharvey · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2005 7:45 pm

Aaron Buckley wrote:

When it comes to jackstands, I have found no better than these for the money:

http://www.hugediscountmall.com/Goodyea ... s_p614.htm

Aaron, I haven't seen these jacks, but they do have some very nice features. I wish they had a small 3 to 4" flat plate that you could put on top where it makes contact with the car. There's really not any good points on my car when the "V" or "U" shape makes good contact.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Mon Dec 12, 2005 9:15 pm

robharvey wrote:

Aaron Buckley wrote:

When it comes to jackstands, I have found no better than these for the money:

http://www.hugediscountmall.com/Goodyea ... s_p614.htm

Aaron, I haven't seen these jacks, but they do have some very nice features. I wish they had a small 3 to 4" flat plate that you could put on top where it makes contact with the car. There's really not any good points on my car when the "V" or "U" shape makes good contact.

Rob, i have some 6 tons that resemble these and i just put them under the jacking points. so far so good. northern tool is where i got them. come to think of it, the General Lei sat on them all day one weekend in my garage. at rockingham i put the front onto 2 ton stands and put the jack under the diff. and rotated my tires fron there.

but i have seen Mitch use this paddle thing from bimmerworld and it is very effective.

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