Problems jacking all four corners up

chanlon1

Active member
Belfast
I have a problem.
I’ve read many posts here and on other sites. Watched many videos and am still at a loss.
I’m easily confused.
I want to Jack all four corners up and put them on axle stands.
Any one care to layout a step by step guide that makes sense?
The car is an E86 non M.

Thanks.
 
Jack under rear left jacking point, raise car until you can get an axle stand under front left jacking point.
Repeat on right side, but be aware at that at some point the car will be balancing on the front left axle stand and the rear right jack.
Take it easy you will be fine, but don't take any wheels off until you're done, just in case.
Then jack under the diff (I use a block of wood under the mounting bolts for the diagonal braces) - be sure that the trolley jack can roll freely forward as you lift the rear, otherwise, if it sticks it will pull the car back towards it, and tip the front axle stands.
Lift and place axle stands under the rear jacking points.

Due to clearance issues I would suggest running the car up onto four short lengths of timber first so you can get the jack under.

Or get yourself one of those fancy scissor lift things..................... if you're rich. :wink:
 
What [ref]enuff_zed[/ref] said !
I'd recommend looking into adding a front centre jacking point under the front subframe (as installed on M models) as it makes jacking the car up a lot easier and quicker as you will just have to jack front once and then rear once. You can do some search on the forum to see how to do it :thumbsup:
 
enuff_zed said:
Then jack under the diff (I use a block of wood under the mounting bolts for the diagonal braces)
Thanks for that.
Second numpty question.
Is the diff easy to see and is there a particular part I should be using the jack on?
Last time I looked under a car was probably 40 years ago chasing a football!!
 
chanlon1 said:
Last time I looked under a car was probably 40 years ago chasing a football!!
:rofl:

Look under the rear. In line with the rear wheels. In the middle. Big lump of metal that contains the gears that turn the drive through 90 degrees to go to the wheels. Bolted to the bottom of it there are two diagonal bracing bars with big bolt heads protruding down. I have a lump of wood which is just soft enough for the bolt heads to sink into a bit. Put that lump of wood on the jack head and pump it up until it fits squarely on the bolts. Ease it up gently and make sure it all settles squarely. Then pump 'er up.
 
:lol:

Sharing it with my son. As I do the Z as well, shared project, shared cost so a bargain 8)

(Man math)
 
right, I'm away to put my head under the car.
If I haven't posted in the next 24hrs, send out a search & rescue.....
 
chanlon1 said:
right, I'm away to put my head under the car.
If I haven't posted in the next 24hrs, send out a search & rescue.....
Ha! Good luck.
I always make sure the fire brigade are available before I do a roof motor now.
 
The two diagonal brace bars are bolted in the centre directly to a section of the chassis that protrudes down from under the boot floor immediately behind the diff which is under the aluminium ducting plate in this photo. Put your block of wood here and jack-away :thumbsup: 20210102_223118.jpg
Like EnuffZed, I also drive the car up on to 4 blocks of timber first. I have 4 pieces approx 2 feet long and 5 inches thick with a wedge ramp cut on one end. This immediately gives you a head start of 5 inches or so and makes access for any trolleyjacks much easier. In fact 9 times out of 10 now I put a block of wood under each front control arm/wishbone and a jack (I have two) on each side. This enables you to raise the front end evenly and then lower it on to axle stands placed under each front sill jacking point. Then raise the rear with the central jacking point and lower on to axle stands under the rear sill jacking points. The car is then sitting correctly and safely on the 4 sill jacking points. About a year ago my Z4 was up on axles stands under the sills for 6 weeks or so whilst I was fitting my Supercharger etc....safe as houses. This photo was the year before whilst fitting bigger brakes so I didn't have it as high :thumbsup: 20210321_201501.jpg
 
patriot66 said:
The two diagonal brace bars are bolted in the centre directly to a section of the chassis that protrudes down from under the boot floor immediately behind the diff which is under the aluminium ducting plate in this photo. Put your block of wood here and jack-away
Yes, you're correct, I was slightly wrong in my description and your photo makes it all clear. :thumbsup:
 
pvr said:
What are you actually going to do under there?

A good hiding spot :? :D
The Good Friday Agreement may be 25yrs old today, but we still do have some problems in Northern Ireland.... lol

patriot66 said:
The two diagonal brace bars are bolted in the centre directly to a section of the chassis that protrudes down from under the boot floor immediately behind the diff which is under the aluminium ducting plate in this photo. Put your block of wood here and jack-away :thumbsup:
Excellent photo - I surely can't miss that under the car!

I'm actually looking to do all the pads, discs and calipers at the same time, so it's a lot easier to have it up on stands.
I did the same with a Boxster many years ago and had it on stands for a month.

Need to work out the best caliper colour now......will set up a poll.....

I want to go from this to this....
IMG_0985 Large.jpeg
IMG_1011 Large.jpeg
 
chanlon1 said:
Last time I looked under a car was probably 40 years ago chasing a football!!

Seriously? I thought you Belfast folks had to check under your car umpteen times a day with a mirror. :D
 
pvr said:
We will send our good friend Joe Biden to give you a hand :D
Think he's making an appearance early next week????
Here's a photo I took of the Good Friday Agreement yesterday.
Absolutely no idea who David Andrews is??????

IMG_9070 Medium.jpeg
 
Scubaregs said:
Seriously? I thought you Belfast folks had to check under your car umpteen times a day with a mirror. :D

Used to do that till we realized that you should always leave the car door open when you start the engine.
Therefore if the bomb goes off, you'll get blown out of the car :o
 
Scubaregs said:
chanlon1 said:
Last time I looked under a car was probably 40 years ago chasing a football!!

Seriously? I thought you Belfast folks had to check under your car umpteen times a day with a mirror. :D
They gave up once they started disguising the bombs as footballs. :D
 
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