BMW M3 Forum (E90 E92)

BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   M3Post - BMW M3 Forum > E90/E92 M3 Technical Topics > DIY Guides/ Discussions
 
European Auto Source (EAS)
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      05-26-2009, 07:54 AM   #1
SS32
Major
SS32's Avatar
156
Rep
1,430
Posts

Drives: 2008 M3
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Raleigh, NC

iTrader: (0)

Proper Way to Place 4 Jack Stands?

This might sound like a dumb question, but is there a proper method to putting the car on 4 jack stands? Do I start at the front and then do the rear? Do one side first and then the other? Also, if I use the jack points to lift the car, where do I place the stands? I've never done any work that required lifting the car, so forgive me if this seems dumb.
Appreciate 0
      05-26-2009, 11:36 AM   #2
Subw00er
Bates '08 Interlagos Launch
Subw00er's Avatar
United_States
125
Rep
1,230
Posts

Drives: 440i xGC, ZL1, JCW
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NY

iTrader: (2)

I like to do the front then the rear if you have to do the entire car. If you do the rear first, its a little more strain on the lift (motor weight). I would NOT recommend doing left then right side. The stands tend to slide.

What are you doing? exhaust?
Appreciate 0
      05-26-2009, 08:20 PM   #3
JCtx
Major General
256
Rep
5,012
Posts

Drives: No BMW yet
Join Date: May 2008
Location: El Paso TX

iTrader: (0)

Before saying anything else, I'd NEVER put one of my cars on 4 jackstands; it's not safe, and not worth the possible damage, which your insurance WOULD NOT cover. I've done many catback jobs with only the rear raised. If you need the car in 4 jack stands, your garage is not the place to do such job IMO, especially on an expensive car; borrow a lift or get the job done by a pro.

Having said that, you'd HAVE to do front first, since a raised rear would leave you no space to jack up the car in front. In order to use jack stands, you need to raise the car from the middle. The front jacking point looks like a hockey puck, and it's along the contact patch of the front tires; can't miss it. The rear has to be jacked up from the differential (I was told by somebody here it was okay), but I'd only use it for the minute or so it takes to put jack stands on rear jacking points. Good luck.
Appreciate 0
      05-26-2009, 08:24 PM   #4
alpineweissM3
I love my beautiful wife!
22
Rep
628
Posts

Drives: e90 ///M
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Pittsburgh

iTrader: (0)

Not a dumb question at all. I'm curious to see how the experts answer. I have always historically lifted the front FIRST by the rubber pad and placed the jack stands on the jack pads. Rear I lift by the bridge like support and place the jack stands under the rear jack pads.
Appreciate 0
      05-26-2009, 08:25 PM   #5
lucid
Major General
lucid's Avatar
United_States
374
Rep
8,033
Posts

Drives: E30 M3; Expedition
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

OP, what are you trying to do? If you want to swap exhausts, you can do that by driving the car on a set of plastic ramps. That's what I did.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      05-26-2009, 09:43 PM   #6
Subw00er
Bates '08 Interlagos Launch
Subw00er's Avatar
United_States
125
Rep
1,230
Posts

Drives: 440i xGC, ZL1, JCW
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: NY

iTrader: (2)

Ya lucid has a good point. Thats what I'd do. I have a set of grey rhino ramps, just drive up on them, jack up the rear and then use stands, or if you have a second set of rhino ramps, just place them under the wheels and lower. I've done this on my vette - still using stands to be sure.
Appreciate 0
      05-26-2009, 09:50 PM   #7
lucid
Major General
lucid's Avatar
United_States
374
Rep
8,033
Posts

Drives: E30 M3; Expedition
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

The ramps I used were high enough so I didn't need to jack the car up any higher to use stands. Felt safer that way anyway...
__________________
Appreciate 0
      05-27-2009, 07:59 AM   #8
SS32
Major
SS32's Avatar
156
Rep
1,430
Posts

Drives: 2008 M3
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Raleigh, NC

iTrader: (0)

Well, I was going to mount my air horns in the rear, but I think I've found a spot up front. Now, where to place the stands? Clearly, I can't use the jack points as they will be used by the jack. Any suggestions?
Appreciate 0
      06-11-2009, 11:27 AM   #9
MVEED3
Lieutenant
United_States
85
Rep
425
Posts

Drives: '16 GT4
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: San Diego

iTrader: (12)

Use a small jack to lift one of the front sides. That will give you enough clearance to slide a main jack to the hockey puck from the front of the car. Raise the whole front end, pull the small jack once cleared, and place your stands at the front pads.


Allen
__________________
2021 ZR2 Airborne certified
2019 GTS PCCB 5x130 Slick
2016 Agate Grey GT4 PCCB LWB
2013 HP4 Competition
Appreciate 0
      06-14-2009, 12:08 AM   #10
JCtx
Major General
256
Rep
5,012
Posts

Drives: No BMW yet
Join Date: May 2008
Location: El Paso TX

iTrader: (0)

Hey guys, what kind of jack stands are you using? I've been looking for 2 or 3-ton jack stands with screw-type shafts and flat tops to no avail. I know they exist because have seen them in shops several times, but nobody seems to know where to buy them.

I'm afraid to use the regular flanged shafts because they can deform our pads, no? So what do you guys use, and do they permanently deform the pads? Oh, and do you lift your car from the bottom of the differential (actually, the heat sink)? Just want to make sure the car doesn't moan or groan lifted from there. I know it's just for a minute or so while installing jack stands, but still want to make sure (manual makes no mention of that jacking point). Thx.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:49 PM.




m3post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST