Alternative jacking points

J

James_G

Member
 Guildford, Surrey
I'm planning on doing the CDV mod but unfortunately my trolley jack is too short to get to the front central jacking point on my car meaning the usual trick for getting the car up on axle stands doesn't apply here.

I figure I have two choices:

1. Find an alternative jacking point, and use the standard side jacking points for the axle stands

or

2. Jack up using the side jacking points (trolley jack one side, E46 jack on the other) and put the axle stands somewhere else.

So does anybody have a photo of either some alternative jacking points or some alternative axle stand locations points. I spent 20 minutes earlier today looking and can't see anything suitable as it's all covered over with a protective plate.

Thanks

James
 
What exactly is the problem with the front central jacking point?

Perhaps you can jack on the side jacking point with the E46 jack just a bit, and then get the trolley jack under the central point?
 
The trolley jack goes in at the front no problem, but there isn't enough room between the handle and the bottom of the front bumper once in position. Therefore I can't lift the handle enough to pump the jack. I tried lowering the front wheels onto bricks via the side jacking points first, but that still didn't get me enough clearance.

Here's the jack - standard Machine Mart issue

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/ctj2q-2-tonne-quick-lift-trolley-jack

Thinking about it, I could take a wheel off and come in from the side, but from what I read this centre jacking point isn't on normal Z4s, so what if I had one of them?
 
If you dont need to take wheels of these are ideal for working under the car http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Tool-Shop/Car-Ramps
 
I have a similar jack, if the handle is the bent type you may be able to just fit the handle on sideways/upside down without locking it in to the jack properly which might allow enough movement for you to get it going.

My old car was so low I had to roll the jack through the wheel arches with the wheels turned to full lock, as the jack wouldn't fit under the bodykit at all, lol. But the above trick worked for me a few times 8)
 
The M has the central jacking point to answer your question above.
 
benlumley said:
Gerry said:
If you dont need to take wheels of these are ideal for working under the car http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/Tool-Shop/Car-Ramps
Click to expand...

Driving on to ramps always scares me :(
Click to expand...

think you would struggle for the front bumper to clear the ramp TBH, also think the tyres are to wide for them as well.
 
Can't you just jack the car up using one end of the lifting point and then either put the axle stand at the other end of it close to the jack, or failing that simply jack up one side and lower the car back onto some planks (never bricks as they can shatter)?
 
Found this, a little while ago - trying to find the front jacking point. Not sure how reliable it is?

GLF said:
After searching all over for information on where to jack this car up without using the jack points I determined that the pinch seams would be the place to locate the jack. Note the pictures of the jack, the pinch seam is hidden under the overlap of the bottom of the side rails. I just cut some wood blocks to fit inside the jack points for my jack stands. Jacking under the mirrors will lift the complete side so you can place two jacks stands at one time.

attachment.gif

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Source: Z-Post Z4 Jacking Point
 
Drive it on two short planks of wood (enough each side to get access)

Then jack from there once you have more room
 
I bought a "pinch weld" pad to fit on the jack from the group buy on detailingworld. Needed that as VWs only have pinch weld jack points, but would work for this as well.

Have a look on the detailingworld.co.uk and search for the jack pad group buy thread. Costs £6 including shipping.
 
pvr said:
Have a look on the detailingworld.co.uk and search for the jack pad group buy thread. Costs £6 including shipping.
Click to expand...
spent the last hour looking, cant find it under group, jack, pads, pinch, puck, buy, or any combination using 'and' or otherwise.... in the subject or body.
can you post the link?
 
Thanks for all the replies so far. Alas I don't have any large bits of wood, so couldn't try that and I can't imagine being able to drive up some ramps what with all the shenanigans I had with not being able to reverse down my drive without scraping the front (now thankfully fixed). I now have a deep knowledge of the maximum ramp angle a Z4M can manage and trust me, it ain't a lot.

Anyway thanks to PVR, a quick bit of Detailing World research has thrown up the thread on the "Pinch Weld Jack Adaptor" which can be found here:

http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=185071

This looks like I will be able to jack either side of the standard jack points, meaning I can easily place the axle stands. I am surprised however that there isn't a simpler way to do all this. Where, for example would you place the lifters when using a four post jack? Surely not on the black rubber jacking points?
 
Sorry - was out for a bit but you found it then :)

Why would you not use the black jack points by the way? I use that to get the wheel off.
 
pvr said:
Why would you not use the black jack points by the way? I use that to get the wheel off.
Click to expand...

I will use the jacking points, but I can't visualise somebody in the "trade" using them with a four post lift. This is partly because whenever I've seen a car on a four post lift the lifting beams always seem to be quite a distance inboard, rather than on the edge. Plus I always get the impression that the trade like to do things differently...

Anyway, jack pad ordered - thanks for the suggestion, looks like it'll be just what I need.
 
Hi all - i'm the one doing the Group Buy on Detailing world at the moment. It's a nice simple solution that works, I bought 5 pucks 3 months ago with the idea of making one for myself, I then tried to sell a couple to recoup my costs and it's went on from there with me buying equipment to give a much better cut as the MkI was a hacksaw and chisel.

CIMG3147.jpg

CIMG3071.jpg

CIMG3076.jpg

gookah said:
pvr said:
Have a look on the detailingworld.co.uk and search for the jack pad group buy thread. Costs £6 including shipping.
Click to expand...
spent the last hour looking, cant find it under group, jack, pads, pinch, puck, buy, or any combination using 'and' or otherwise.... in the subject or body.
can you post the link?
Click to expand...

Are you registered and have you logged in? I think you have to be logged in to view the group buy section.

I'd be more than happy to do a group buy through Z4-F too if there's interest and a mod gives permission.
 
Ah, welcome to z4-forum Bero :)

Spotted your reply to my query on the DW thread (I'm Ally on there), I've yet to reply and was going to save it until tonight when I get home and can measure up the base on my jack properly :thumbsup:
 
Hi Bero,

I am the pain-in-the-neck user whose puck was floating around the UK for a number of weeks on recorded delivery :D

The unit fits perfectly in my trolley jack and is a pleasure to use on both the VWs I have. I have not needed it for my X5 or Z4M.
 
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