Floor Jack - How and where to Jack?

[sturgedm]

I have a flat tire and want to use my floor jack ... any suggestions!!

[donv]

I think the jacking points are covered in the owner's manual pretty well. If I remember correctly, they are oval-shaped openings that mate with the OEM jack and are located at either end of the rocker panels inboard of the wheels.

Some aftermarket suppliers offer an adaptor for a standard floor jack that allows you to take advantage of the openings for alignment/retention and to avoid the jack cradle (or cup) from crimping bodywork under the car. If you need to do the work right away you might want to either use the jack supplied with the car until you can get the adaptor or figure out a suitable replacement/spacer block to do the same with the floor jack.

If you cook something up for the floor jack, let us know what you did!

[sturgedm]

Jacked up with factory jack, the darn thing is too low to fit the floor jack under it at the proper jack point.

I used to jack cars up on the rear axle, transfer case, or differential, but I was too chicken to do it on the Boxster.

By the way, what's the deal with the foam encasement around the jack!!?

I had to use a hammer to bang the foam protecter off .....

I was really surprised to see how much tread wear goes on, on the inside edge of the tires. Pretty impressive difference to outside.

[William Harris]

Since I change from summer to winter tires, with different wheels, I regularly use a floor jack. I recommend the adaptor from AJ USA as this allows a very positive and observable engagement of the jacking points.

[wifesmainwrench]

Most amateur use floor jacks have a minimum height of 5 1/2", but Sears has a 3 1/2" min. which is on sale this weekend. Got mine this AM for around $40. A true deal. Now to find (or fabricate) indicated adaptor.

[Kirk]

Surprisingly I haven't seen anyone mention my jacking method. I've got the Sears jack and it just barely won't fit under my Boxster, which is lowered on Gemballa springs. I can't imagine how bad it will be once I get my side skirts!

What I do is put two pieces of 2X4 wood about 10" long under each wheel and then drive the car up onto these blocks. That gives me enough clearance to get the jack under the car. When I'm done with my work I just make sure to lower the wheels back onto these blocks, take the jack out, and just roll the car off the blocks. I learned to do this on my lowered Honduh. Just maybe $2 in materials and a little hassle.

[djomlas]

Originally Posted by Kirk

Surprisingly I haven't seen anyone mention my jacking method. I've got the Sears jack and it just barely won't fit under my Boxster, which is lowered on Gemballa springs. I can't imagine how bad it will be once I get my side skirts!

What I do is put two pieces of 2X4 wood about 10" long under each wheel and then drive the car up onto these blocks. That gives me enough clearance to get the jack under the car. When I'm done with my work I just make sure to lower the wheels back onto these blocks, take the jack out, and just roll the car off the blocks. I learned to do this on my lowered Honduh. Just maybe $2 in materials and a little hassle.

i do the same, drive on the blocks and then i can slide the jack under there

[rick3000]

You can use a hockey puck as a jack pad, instead of spending $80 for one. I don't remember where I saw it but I know someone used one and it seemed to work fine.