Floor Jack Needed
 

I hate repeat postings, and I hope this is not one, but I haven't seen the topic before. I am looking for a quality floor jack that is low enough for the Boxster and won't send me to the poor house. I'd like to use it in the garage to remove the wheels one at a time to clean them as well as the brakes this winter. Suggestions as to where to look for a jack and possible prices would be most appreciated. Thanks.

Is your car at the stock ride height?

Yup. Stock everything on a '98.

I've been using a Sears low profile jack that was about $75. The lift arm has a hole that can accept a post style adapter to work with Porsches. I had to modify the post to fit under my RoW suspension though. With stock ride height it would probably work fine.

Harbor Freight.

Definitely Harbor Freight
 

I have this

http://www.harborfreight.com/rapid-pump-15-ton-compact-aluminum-racing-jack-68053-html-7814.html

I have the same one, works reasonably well. I wouldn't crawl under the car with only this jack holding it up though. Always use a couple of stable jack stands.

Any little 2.5 ton floor jack should do the job. Just try not to buy made in China.

Use the stock supplied scissors to raise the side, then you can reach the center jack points without jack saddle modifications. Just remember not to take the scissor out and drop it on the floor jack when you let it down.

Remember theres a central jack point in the back. Its the U shaped brace near the back of the transmission. Just put the jack, with a hockey puck in the saddle, right between the last 2 bolts that hold the aluminum tranny pan onto the u shaped brace and the whole back end comes up.

San Rensho, I'm speaking of that same spot but you need to raise the car to get to it with any floor jack I know of, hence the side scissors extra step.

Thanks
 

Once again, you guys (and gals?) are a great source of information.

If car is too low for your floor jack then drive onto a piece of a 2x6 board. That extra 1.5" of height is usually all yoour need.

Vince

Low profile jacks can do it without the scissors jack. My 3 ton Big Red low profile jack fits just fine under my car.

When shopping for a jack I pay close attention to the maximum jacking height as well as to getting one with a low enough profile to get under the jacking point. This makes it easier to get the car high enough to get it on jack stands (obviously the height of the stands are important) if this is what you are attempting to do.

For you schnellman this may not be a big issue if you are just removing a wheel at a time for cleaning.

Well I don't see how, I have the stock ride height 98 and my aluminum jack is lower profile than the red 2 ton and there's no way it's happening. Maybe the Dansk muffler was the difference, IDK but the safest way is what I described takes two more seconds to avoid a #$% my car!!!! moment.

more importantly make sure you buy and use jack stands!!!

But not all the way up like that!

No lie, the guy under that better be singing nearer my god to thee because he certainly is..

On a somewhat related matter, is there any issue created by leaving a car up on jack stands for an extended period of time? Understand that it isn't as stable as on the ground, but just wondering if it might be bad for the car for any reason. Thanks, hope this isn't a stupid question...

Yes, there is a potential for damage to the struts.

Apparently long term is not a good thing. I asked basically the same question awhile back: http://986forum.com/forums/general-discussions/29610-does-hurt-suspension.html

That car has been up there since 1994...








Yup even with all the earthquakes we have had over the years. :eek:








I need to get rid of this thing it is just taking up space. :(

Beautiful old original stang convertible should be easy to get rid of, what year is it? Heck getting it down will be harder than selling it.

I've had the little 1.5 ton and 3 ton aluminum jacks from Harbor Freight for several years now and they've both worked out well for me (I take the 1.5 for track days).

Many thanks Frodo et al, your post did not come up on my search & answers my question perfectly.

I don't know for sure, but I have read where some folks say up on jack stands for a prolonged period of time is hard on the suspension components.

One of my father's buddies has around thirty cars. A partial list of what I've seen include: model A, air cooled Franklin, Benz drop top (3) , 57 T bird, two jags and the MGTD he drives during the summer. Point being he has told me my entire life the worse thing for any car is just letting it sit, for what it's worth...

A car should never sit...you need to drive it a few miles every other week. This keeps the wheel bearings, rotors, exhaust system from rusting: suspension stays free, brake fluid lines clear, calipers free and lubricated...and the list goes on. Ok, last but not least...let a car sit for a few years and then open the door, the smell of old will permeate the car.