[zzzbullseye]

Originally Posted by S3RI35

awesome post! Now I'm ready for our plastidip party!!

Glad to help!

[wuntunmein88]

Nice write up. Clear and concise.

[ryansungasong]

I already searched this on google and on forums and found a bunch of answers but what are the best jack stands to buy for the jack points? I realize you have to modify them but which are the easiest to modify?

[zzzbullseye]

Originally Posted by wuntunmein88

Nice write up. Clear and concise.

Thanks!

Originally Posted by ryansungasong

I already searched this on google and on forums and found a bunch of answers but what are the best jack stands to buy for the jack points? I realize you have to modify them but which are the easiest to modify?

There's really no need to modify the jack stands as the jack pads (lift points) on the vehicle fit very securely within the saddle of the stand. Some folks use jack pad adapters when using a floor jack to mate up between the saddle on the jack and the jack pads on the vehicle - this makes for a nice positive connection and minimizes wear and tear on the pads, but IMO is unnecessary.

As far as which jack stands to buy, your standard Sears 2-ton jack stands will work just fine. If you want a little more capacity go with 3-ton. I think I have two of each. If buying from Sears gives you a rash...there are lots of other choices out there. I would stay away from "Harbor Freight quality" stands, if you're paying a ridiculously low price for something...there's probably a good reason.

[samjamin]

thanks for posting!
will be real helpful when I need to do any wheel work.

[zzzbullseye]

Originally Posted by samjamin

thanks for posting!
will be real helpful when I need to do any wheel work.

My pleasure. Good luck.

[kiwi29]

I've always heard that you could lift it from the rear differential, any thoughts?

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by kiwi29

I've always heard that you could lift it from the rear differential, any thoughts?

Yes, you can lift it by the diff body (iron casting) but not the aluminum cover. This is per BMW TIS instructions.

[GSB]

zzzbullseye, THANK YOU for your post! Nicely done.

After blowing my modified Honda's engine to smithereens, I managed to score an immaculate 2008 335i coupe. Since I'm new to working on BMWs, I was stumped this weekend when I needed to get the thing in the air. You saved my bacon - and lots of cash!

Grateful.

[Wolf 335]

Nice

[zzzbullseye]

Originally Posted by GSB

zzzbullseye, THANK YOU for your post! Nicely done.

After blowing my modified Honda's engine to smithereens, I managed to score an immaculate 2008 335i coupe. Since I'm new to working on BMWs, I was stumped this weekend when I needed to get the thing in the air. You saved my bacon - and lots of cash!

Grateful.

Glad I could help out. Welcome to the forum and the BMW community!

Originally Posted by Wolf 335

Nice

Thanks!

[NGEE]

Originally Posted by zzzbullseye

I don't have a close-up, but I blew up one of the pics from above. You should be able to see in the area I have circled that the jack pad rests in the saddle of the jack stand. There's nothing super technical about it, just center it up front to back and side to side.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the jack stand saddles supposed to go north-south rather than east-west? When I line mine up east-west it appears that the body of the car (and not the jack pads) would engage the saddl. When I line them up north-south, fits like a glove.

Maybe it depends on the design of the saddle?

[Meeni]

You are about to loose it on the road here. Just turn and Resnap it.

[zzzbullseye]

Originally Posted by edrive90

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't the jack stand saddles supposed to go north-south rather than east-west? When I line mine up east-west it appears that the body of the car (and not the jack pads) would engage the saddl. When I line them up north-south, fits like a glove.

Maybe it depends on the design of the saddle?

Whichever way fits best, it really doesn't matter as long as it's secure.

Originally Posted by Meeni

You are about to loose it on the road here. Just turn and Resnap it.

Huh..?

[Murph335]

If I chock the front tires can I put the jack the rear up from the rear point then use only the 2 rear jack stands first?

I have a flat rear tire (screw) and need to take the 1 wheel off and leave the car jacked up. I really don't want to rely on just a jack.

[zzzbullseye]

Originally Posted by Murph335

If I chock the front tires can I put the jack the rear up from the rear point then use only the 2 rear jack stands first?

I have a flat rear tire (screw) and need to take the 1 wheel off and leave the car jacked up. I really don't want to rely on just a jack.

That will work. No real reason to lift the front if you're just working on one of the rear wheels.

[Murph335]

Originally Posted by zzzbullseye

That will work. No real reason to lift the front if you're just working on one of the rear wheels.

hey thanks man. Appreciate it!

[zzzbullseye]

Originally Posted by Murph335

hey thanks man. Appreciate it!

No problem. Ideally, if you're just working on one corner of the vehicle, you'd just lift that corner. It can be a little tricky to find a spot on the frame close to the wheel well to place the jack (if you can even fit your jack under or into this position), but if you can, you can lift the vehicle there and place the jack stand under the jack stand mounting point on that corner of the vehicle (or you can reverse the location of the jack stand and the lift in this scenario...). Just remember that if you attempt this method, you shouldn't place the lift on any of the suspension components...trying to lift the car there compresses the suspension instead of lifting the vehicle.

[Murph335]

Originally Posted by zzzbullseye

No problem. Ideally, if you're just working on one corner of the vehicle, you'd just lift that corner. It can be a little tricky to find a spot on the frame close to the wheel well to place the jack (if you can even fit your jack under or into this position), but if you can, you can lift the vehicle there and place the jack stand under the jack stand mounting point on that corner of the vehicle (or you can reverse the location of the jack stand and the lift in this scenario...). Just remember that if you attempt this method, you shouldn't place the lift on any of the suspension components...trying to lift the car there compresses the suspension instead of lifting the vehicle.

My low pro jack didnt put the rear center jack point high enough to fit a jack stand under the side jack point. Front wheels chocked.

I ended up having to do this. (Attached)

It actually rained here, wife picked up a screw in the tire and could drive it to the fancy boutique shop with the center mount machine.
First time since 2005 I've had to leave any car in the air overnight. This jack has served me well over 10yrs. Next time ill borrow a bigger jack and get some 2x4 wood. Or i need to buy a cheap spare from CL ($50 or so) No point in buying a $200+ jack for now. I try to keep my garage clean of stuff i dont need, no scrap wood, worn tires etc.

[zzzbullseye]

Originally Posted by Murph335

My low pro jack didnt put the rear center jack point high enough to fit a jack stand under the side jack point. Front wheels chocked.

I ended up having to do this. (Attached)

It actually rained here, wife picked up a screw in the tire and could drive it to the fancy boutique shop with the center mount machine.
First time since 2005 I've had to leave any car in the air overnight. This jack has served me well over 10yrs. Next time ill borrow a bigger jack and get some 2x4 wood. Or i need to buy a cheap spare from CL ($50 or so) No point in buying a $200+ jack for now. I try to keep my garage clean of stuff i dont need, no scrap wood, worn tires etc.

Looks like you found a combo that works.

[EnjoyDriving]

very good post!!

[zzzbullseye]

Originally Posted by EnjoyDriving

very good post!!

Thanks!