Jack Points - 986 Forum - The Community for Porsche Boxster & Cayman Owners

hancock1701 · 04-08-2015, 08:55 PM

Hi guys,

So I've had the Boxster on all four jack stands for a few times now, every time it was pretty solid. My garage floor is a little uneven because of a couple big cracks. There was only one time when I had the car on all four jack stands, but one jack point was strangely off the jack stand. Surprisingly, the car was still stable on three. I shook the car from all directions, and it was pretty solid, but I refused to go down there with only three contact points. I had to use a piece of wood under the jack stand to get it just a little higher to contact the jack point.

Anyway, just want to share a story. Personally, I feel a little uncomfortable when having the car on jack stands because the shape of the jack points doesn't seem to sit securely onto the saddle of the jack stand. I've tried the deep saddle from HF as well as the shallow one from Torin. My Honda has pinch welded jack points, and I think it's a lot easier and feels safer to get that securely onto the jack stand's saddle. Does anyone experience this?

kk2002s · 04-09-2015, 03:45 AM

I'm always leery when it's up on all fours. I made special ends for my jack stands out of plywood so there is a flat surface against the car and full distribution across the end of the jack.
Some have used Hockey pucks for this purposes.
For extra safety I always use jacks at the other structure points on the end I'm working on. It's a little tight at the back

linderpat · 04-09-2015, 04:49 AM

use these and never worry - Liftbars

I have used them for years with my 928, and my Boxster. Lifts the car fast and they are very stable and safe.

I have the Boxster set for sale for $175, but only for local pick up or delivery to the Hershey swap meet next week. You can get yours directly from Ken - great guy, and he is the inventor/seller.

thstone · 04-09-2015, 05:58 AM

I always felt the same about using four jack stands. For extra safety, I'd often put a couple of spare stacked wheels/tires under the car "just in case".

Solved it by getting a four post lift.

JayG · 04-09-2015, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by linderpat

use these and never worry - Liftbars

I have used them for years with my 928, and my Boxster. Lifts the car fast and they are very stable and safe.

I have the Boxster set for sale for $175, but only for local pick up or delivery to the Hershey swap meet next week. You can get yours directly from Ken - great guy, and he is the inventor/seller.

What a great fargin idea.
Brilliant !

steved0x · 04-09-2015, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hancock1701

There was only one time when I had the car on all four jack stands, but one jack point was strangely off the jack stand. Surprisingly, the car was still stable on three. I shook the car from all directions, and it was pretty solid, but I refused to go down there with only three contact points.

I had this happen to me once too, I had to raise that jack stand one click above the others. It only happened that once. I also put the jack where I will be working and slide my extra wheels and tires under the car as well.

The liftbars do look pretty cool, would be nice to get that extra height under the car.

It only takes 3 lifts of the jack for me to get the car up on the highest jack stand setting (lift back, set back jack stands at lowest setting. Lift front, set jackstands at higher setting. Lift back again and set back stands at higher setting), or two lifts if I want a lower setting, so I don't think the liftbars would save me any time there. That extra height would sure be nice though...

clickman · 04-09-2015, 07:02 AM

I damaged a couple of the standard lift points on the car using jack stands. Not pleased.

healthservices · 04-09-2015, 07:45 AM

If you set the jack stands correctly you can set and forget. I had these under my mustang for over 10 years and numerous earth quakes.

Knock on wood nothing has ever happened

Jinx · 04-09-2015, 07:47 AM

I had a 89 928s4 years ago. Coming home from Detroit Michigan.
Blew a tire on a interstate. Tire was a total mess so drove on the
Flat to the next rest stop. Blocked front tire. Using the porsche
Jack from the tool kit. Wheel was off and Jack started to bend
Very very lucky I yelled for help people came running and held
The car from falling. A guy with a bottle Jack can to the rescue.

A very close and potential very dangerous call. I now carry a
Bottle Jack in place of the stock jack.

stephen wilson · 04-09-2015, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by healthservices

If you set the jack stands correctly you can set and forget. I had these under my mustang for over 10 years and numerous earth quakes.

Knock on wood nothing has ever happened

Gack ! ... you're Mustang has become a storage shelf, just like my '65 project !

JFP in PA · 04-09-2015, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clickman

I damaged a couple of the standard lift points on the car using jack stands. Not pleased.

Try putting a $2 hockey puck on top of the jack stand before you let the car down.

Burg Boxster · 04-09-2015, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

Try putting a $2 hockey puck on top of the jack stand before you let the car down.

Even better... use weighted training pucks. Aside from being denser they're orange and thus easier to spot & place

Amazon.com : Pro Guard Weighted Ice Hockey Practice Pucks : Sports & Outdoors

healthservices · 04-09-2015, 10:03 AM

I never used these but they look like they would work.

http://m.harborfreight.com/2-piece-rubber-pads-for-jack-stand-95952.html

JayG · 04-09-2015, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by healthservices

I never used these but they look like they would work.

2 Piece Rubber Pads for Jack Stand

I have those and they work well
I also have the jack stands 90 deg turned from each other on the front and rear points
the front ones go sideways and the rear ones front to back

luckyed7711 · 04-09-2015, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by healthservices

I never used these but they look like they would work.

2 Piece Rubber Pads for Jack Stand

Just took the car down after 3 weeks on the stands using these rubber tops for the 1st time. Big improvement over just the cast iron. Tough material and much less risk of damaging the jacking points. That bar gizmo looks like it could be the most trick set up though. I might order one of those.

steved0x · 04-09-2015, 10:31 AM

I've got those same pads and they work well. For the back I orient the head of the jack stand front to back, and for the fronts I jack from the jack point and place the stands in the reinforced area that is described here:

Pelican Technical Article: Jacking Up and Lifting the Boxster on Jack Stands - 986 / 987

I used to jack from that point but found that my jack interfered with the placement of the jack stand at the jack point so I switched to doing it this way.

Steve

Gelbster · 04-09-2015, 12:23 PM

Try this?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D0SblGp8Oy0
or
http://liftbars.com/

Hogosha · 04-09-2015, 02:18 PM

I have been to Harbor Freight about 3 times this week, I looked at the Jack crossbeam they have for $39.99 (remember to use your 20% off coupon!) I wonder with addition of hockey pucks, could you use this to jack up both sides, front or rear, at the same time?

Steel Floor Jack Cross Beam

Bfan · 04-09-2015, 03:42 PM

One more, The lift stand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dcjw_VlX2fc or here

JayG · 04-09-2015, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hogosha

I have been to Harbor Freight about 3 times this week, I looked at the Jack crossbeam they have for $39.99 (remember to use your 20% off coupon!) I wonder with addition of hockey pucks, could you use this to jack up both sides, front or rear, at the same time?

Steel Floor Jack Cross Beam

I don't think it is wide enough, it only goes to 37 in