Floor jack question

[yimmy149]

I've done a bunch of searches, but I can't find anyone mentioning this:

What floor jacks can reach the Bentley rear jacking point between the axles without driving the car on ramps first? Regardless of saddle height, it seems like the entire jack would need to be under 5"?

Tnx.

-james

[vath2001]

I have a standard "buy it at a general store" 4 ton floor jack (bought with matching jack stands). When I jack up the rear end, I used the bottom of the rear back suspension area.

I would guess that my jack is about 5" tall at best.

[eightsandaces]

I have an Aluminum floor jack a la harbor freight, it will not reach the Bently rear jack point, the car is too low. Rather than use the less strong bracket by the muffler, I simply jack up one rear wheel with an additional jack, then the floor jack can slide under far enough to reach the correct spot.

[Dave S.]

Put a short 2x4 in front of each rear tire and drive the car up onto the 2x4. Then your jack will probably slip right under it.

[jmatta]

Put a short 2x4 in front of each rear tire and drive the car up onto the 2x4

That's what I do...I can't even get my jack under the normal jacking points due to it's ride height (H&R sport springs).

[yimmy149]

I need a new jack, if I'm going to go through the effort/expense, I'd like to get one that does not require the 2x4 method if possible.

[eightsandaces]

Originally Posted by yimmy149

I need a new jack, if I'm going to go through the effort/expense, I'd like to get one that does not require the 2x4 method if possible.

The model I have has as flat a tongue as I've seen and it's still not low enough. It's an issue of going in from the rear to access the jack point and the distance to said jack point. By the time you approach it you're on the incline of the jack. Otherwise, the jack is more than capable of getting under the Boxster at all other points.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40105

[yellowboxster01]

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

The model I have has as flat a tongue as I've seen and it's still not low enough. It's an issue of going in from the rear to access the jack point and the distance to said jack point. By the time you approach it you're on the incline of the jack. Otherwise, the jack is more than capable of getting under the Boxster at all other points.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40105

My jack looks exactly like that but, it's BluePoint and it sure didn't cost $159. I think it was right around $400 with matching aluminum jack stands I've never used. Looks can be deceiving though I had a harbor freight jack before this one and it broke with the car in the air. Luckily I had not taken the wheel off yet and it fell on all 4.

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=76808&group_ID=19931&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

BTW, I swear by Snap On tools

[Bobiam]

Originally Posted by jmatta

Put a short 2x4 in front of each rear tire and drive the car up onto the 2x4

That's what I do...I can't even get my jack under the normal jacking points due to it's ride height (H&R sport springs).

Race jacks (Torin for instance) only need 3.5" clearance. I'm pretty sure that would work for you.

[eightsandaces]

Originally Posted by Bobiam

Race jacks (Torin for instance) only need 3.5" clearance. I'm pretty sure that would work for you.

It's not 3.5 " anywhere but the toe, hence the post I authored on how far the jack must travel under the vehicle to reach the rear jack point. I doubt there are any floor jack manufactured that will reach that plate from the rear of a Boxster..

[Bobiam]

Originally Posted by eightsandaces

It's not 3.5 " anywhere but the toe, hence the post I authored on how far the jack must travel under the vehicle to reach the rear jack point. I doubt there are any floor jack manufactured that will reach that plate from the rear of a Boxster..

I doubt it as well. There are some pretty good suggestions here to get around the problem.