other Proper Floor Jack Placement?

[kiva667]

I got a wonderful Christmas gift but its been 30 years since I used one of these on my first BMW, an e12. Does this placement look okay? Should I stick a piece of wood between the car and the jack?  I haven't yet lifted the front end all the way off the floor.

That's an NK subframe.

Edited December 26, 2013 by kiva667

[Trax]

Stick a piece of wood between the car and the jack, the weight gets distributed more even or else you could get a dent in the support.

[M3M3]

+1

lots more info can be easily found on jacking and jack stand points with simple search on "jack point". one such thread:

http://www.bmw2002faq.com/topic/139645-car-jacklift-suggestions/?hl=jack+point#entry923419

[kiva667]

Thanks. The term "jack point" had escaped me when I was searching. 

 

Edited December 26, 2013 by kiva667

[roadhog0]

I use that point on my car. Yes, the panel is a little dented and all from doing that but it's under the car and my cars so low I cant do anything about it! My frame rails are also a little dented from using jack stands on them. Just part of the deal...

[Hans]

I would rather trade off a few scars on the frame rails in return for having the top of the stand get a better grip. I'd be concerned about the car sliding off those wood blocks.

[M3M3]

there is no issue with "sliding off those wood blocks".   been doing it that way for many, many years.  multiple kinds of bmw's, all kinds of work including complete engine, drive train  and suspension replacements.  setup is rock solid.

 

of course, all the usual safety precautions apply....always leave a jack under a jack point, or put the tires/wheels under the car, check stability of any jack stand setup, use quality jack stands, make sure shop surface is level, etc, etc, etc.

[kiva667]

My car turns 47 next month and so far there aren't any dents at the jack points or frame rails. I guess I shouldn't be the one to start making them.

[thehackmechanic]

Yes, the middle of the front subframe is an excellent jacking point to get both front wheels off the ground at the same time.

 

I have a dozen or so hockey pucks I sometimes use instead of wooden blocks. When I jack up a car by the front subframe and need to set the frame rails on jackstands, I'll put a hockey puck between each jackstand and the frame rail.

[Hans]

Or get a rubber covered pad for your floor jack.

[pkchopp]

When building #6, I knew the car was going to be to low to get a floor jack under it, so I made the roll bar extend beyond the body panel. Now using another pipe that fits the hole, I'm able to lift the whole side of the car from one spot.

[Hans]

Very cool! Not something everybody will want to do, but works on E36, so why not?

by the way, and not to hijack this thread, but what color is that?

[pkchopp]

Very cool! Not something everybody will want to do, but works on E36, so why not?

by the way, and not to hijack this thread, but what color is that?

Hans, It's called Electric Blue. It's origin was mid 60's GM muscle cars. However this one was off a 2003 Mini, (so it's kind of a BMW color!)

[jgerock]

Ran across a small ad in the Porsche Excellence Magazine yesterday for these:

 

http://www.jackpointjackstands.com/Home_It_Works.html

 

Interesting concept