Jack For Lowered Cars

[disintegrator66]

Originally Posted by ipilcher

But once you lift a corner of the car up with the scissor jack, how are you supposed to get it onto a jack stand?

You're looking to avoid a floor jack and there aren't many options. While a scissor jack isn't quite as stable as a jack stand, its arguably more stable than relying on a hydraulic floor jack. Again, not MY first choice, but an option if you don't want/can't use a floor jack/jack stand combo. I use ETA Manufacturing jack stands which need a floor jack...

[s_ribs]

I've been watching the long reach HF jack for a while now and it's finally on sale for $199 ($40 savings). If you are considering one, I'd get it while you can.

[No one]

Originally Posted by disintegrator66

While a scissor jack isn't quite as stable as a jack stand, its arguably more stable than relying on a hydraulic floor jack.

In my experience it's exactly the opposite. Say, when using a scissor jack I did bother to put a wheel underneath the raised car just in case. No need with the HF floor jack which is rock solid (yet, no getting under the car, of course!). Yes, you should mind the hydraulic jack's condition, but if it works it just does. A scissor jack doesn't feel that stable and it eventually breaks (the BMW one got it's plastic bushing destroyed by the metal screw rod, luckily at the best moment possible though yes, there had been signs of weakness before that happened).

And by the way, a very nice garage you have!

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by No one

In my experience it's exactly the opposite. Say, when using a scissor jack I did bother to put a wheel underneath the raised car just in case. No need with the HF floor jack which is rock solid (yet, no getting under the car, of course!). Yes, you should mind the hydraulic jack's condition, but if it works it just does. A scissor jack doesn't feel that stable and it eventually breaks (the BMW one got it's plastic bushing destroyed by the metal screw rod, luckily at the best moment possible though yes, there had been signs of weakness before that happened).

And by the way, a very nice garage you have!

Agree same experience as well. When I just need to do something quick like swap a wheel or plug a tire, something like that where I won't put myself under the car, I tend to only use my jack and it's pretty stable. I have the jack in the picture.

[disintegrator66]

Let me clarify. If you put a gun to my head I’d much rather be working on or underneath a vehicle that’s on a sole scissor jack versus a sole hydraulic jack. This is due to the possibility of a hydraulic floor jack losing its seal and dropping the car by a number of different means. The scissor jack is not going to unscrew itself in any situation. Having said that, I personally wouldn’t use a sole scissor jack or a floor jack to hold my vehicle in place while I’m working on it. No matter what I’m doing I’ll jack it up and place it on the jack stand. I’m too old to get crushed by a car! I’ll leave that for the young kids!! Lol

[s_ribs]

Originally Posted by s_ribs

I've been watching the long reach HF jack for a while now and it's finally on sale for $199 ($40 savings). If you are considering one, I'd get it while you can.

FYI - just got an email that there is a new coupon, on sale for $189.99 now. Darn good deal on this.

[PaleoMan]

I took the easy way out. I have an old Craftsman low profile jack and I just built a pair of mini ramps with 2"x12" boards. I cut a 30 degree angle on one end, and then nailed a 1" think piece on the other end, to get enough height for the lowered 325iS I owned.

I'd runt he front wheels up on the ramps, jack the front, add stands, then jack the back without any need for ramps for rear wheels (as long as I didn't jack the front up too high).

[to_riffic]

Originally Posted by NWH83

If you're looking for something to just swap out wheels, check out the Daytona 1.5 ton low profile/low weight (only 36lbs) from harbor freight. (I know HF doesn't have the greatest reputation but the daytona jacks are pretty good, at least in my experience).

https://www.harborfreight.com/15-ton...ump-58811.html

Have this as well. The notch on the frame with the front low profile wheel bar make it super easy to slide under a lowered car. I have a 3 ton CAT and it wouldn't fit under the CS' jack points, but with the Daytona you can remove that jacking point and use the entire flat surface as well, so it cuts another probably 1/2" that can slide under the vehicle. Slide a jackpoint jack stand under there afterwards and you're golden. Kinda expensive when you compare it to the cheaper Pittsburgh ones for sure, but man, it's such a good jack, can't recommend it enough.

[Autoaddict]

Originally Posted by disintegrator66

You're looking to avoid a floor jack and there aren't many options. While a scissor jack isn't quite as stable as a jack stand, its arguably more stable than relying on a hydraulic floor jack. Again, not MY first choice, but an option if you don't want/can't use a floor jack/jack stand combo. I use ETA Manufacturing jack stands which need a floor jack...

These jack stands are really slick!

[335i54n]

this is a pretty cool tool imo. fyi this small hf jack also fits under front center jack point-msport height (no lip)

https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...ump-64545.html

https://www.amazon.com/AGM-Products-...s%2C193&sr=8-3

[Prince Thundernight]

Originally Posted by 335i54n

this is a pretty cool tool imo. fyi this small hf jack also fits under front center jack point-msport height (no lip)

https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...ump-64545.html

https://www.amazon.com/AGM-Products-...s%2C193&sr=8-3

Car weighs more than 1.5 ton

[chris3g]

Originally Posted by PRINCE THUNDERNIGHT

Car weighs more than 1.5 ton

you arent lifting the entire weight of the car from a single jack point

[335i54n]

^yup, lifted ez no probs (only 1 click on stands though)-1.5 tons is 3307 pounds, e90 total is 3600 ish

[Prince Thundernight]

Originally Posted by chris3g

you arent lifting the entire weight of the car from a single jack point

Oh yeah, duh!

[Autoaddict]

Originally Posted by PRINCE THUNDERNIGHT

Car weighs more than 1.5 ton

I have that jack rod and it’s really good. Highly recommend it.

[yousefnjr]

Originally Posted by 1and1

Fan of the long reach low profile jack, it's nice to reach the center jack points easily

however, the one I have is neither light nor small....

https://www.harborfreight.com/automo...ack-64781.html

I have one of these in bright Lambo green and it's one of my favorite tools. Heavy as piss and maybe overkill for just wheels, but I love it like a friend. +1000 for the Daytona jacks, I think these ones in particular are clones of and/or made in the same factory as the Snap-ons. I forget the exact story.

[disintegrator66]

Originally Posted by Autoaddict

These jack stands are really slick!

Thanks... Money well spent!

[partialresponse]

Where did you buy the red jack pad adaptor for the Rennstand?

[ipilcher]

Originally Posted by partialresponse

Where did you buy the red jack pad adaptor for the Rennstand?

And where did you find a jack that fits under our cars with the Rennstands?

[chefwong]

AC DK13HLQ is the defect long reach jack if you do not own a jack

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by partialresponse

Where did you buy the red jack pad adaptor for the Rennstand?

FYI you don't need them if you're worried about that. BMW shop manual doesn't have special tools to use with the lift blocks, just the flat of jack or lift arm.

[disintegrator66]

Originally Posted by partialresponse

Where did you buy the red jack pad adaptor for the Rennstand?

It’s a modified Burger Motorsports (BMS) jack pad. BMS is one of the few manufacturers that has a jack pad with the correct height so that you’re not crushing the car’s plastic receptacle. The modification is drilling and tapping a hole so that I could mount a 1/4-20 bolt and spacer to act as a positioning stud when sitting on the Rennstand. I use a low profile floor jack to lift the car.
Cheers!