Proper method to lift car for a brake job?

[rizal]

Sorry, I do know this has been covered, but in a seemingly very conflicting number of ways.

I need to do my rear pads/rotors. Till I searched the forum on this, I was going to put a hydraulic jack underneath the diff of my 525iT, then place a steel tripod jack underneath each of the left and right jacking points provided by BMW, just ahead of the rear wheelwells.

Sooo, some on the forum say that's a recipe for sure damage. Others say no problem.

Question for those who would never jack the diff...

If you use a hydraulic jack on the point provided by BMW, how do you replace it with a steel tripod jack to hold that corner up during the job? I think everyone agrees you don'y rely on just a hydraulic floor jack to hold the car up throughout the job.

Sorry if this is a dumb question, but thanks for addressing it one more time.

(Also, I've used the front crossmember without any problems that I am aware of...then again, tonight I read several saying never to do that either

Thanks yet again.

[BuckNaked]

This might give you some guidance...
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/mwong/Jackpoints.jpg
I see it listed as e30 jackpoints and e34 jackpoints. I haven't had my car on it's side to confirm if it is in fact an e34 in the pic. I don't plan on doing that any time soon, at least intentionally.
If you have a couple of 2x4's handy...
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/chicagoe38/raising_vehicle.jpg

[Ken35i]

You can use the diff as a jacking point but use a block of wood in between the jack and diff, doesn't have to be big. With my jack the 'cup' that's on the jack has protruding edges that would cause damage to the diff housing. Same deal with the cross members.
My car is too low, or my jack isn't low enough :p, for the jack to fit under the crossmember/diff. So I use the car (screw type) jack to lift one corner of the car up enough to get the jack and a piece of wood under it.

The jacking points (behind the fronts and infront of the back wheels) are very strong. You can put your stand under there. I have the whole car on 4 stands...been like that for months (don't ask) and they haven't colapsed.

Hope that helps out.:)

Edit. I was replacing my pitman arms today and I was using this guide www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/51281 (http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/51281) There's a picture of a jack with a block of wood on it used to jack from the diff.

[rizal]

You can use the diff as a jacking point but use a block of wood in between the jack and diff, doesn't have to be big. With my jack the 'cup' that's on the jack has protruding edges that would cause damage to the diff housing. Same deal with the cross members.
My car is too low, or my jack isn't low enough :p, for the jack to fit under the crossmember/diff. So I use the car (screw type) jack to lift one corner of the car up enough to get the jack and a piece of wood under it.

The jacking points (behind the fronts and infront of the back wheels) are very strong. You can put your stand under there. I have the whole car on 4 stands...been like that for months (don't ask) and they haven't colapsed.

Hope that helps out.:)

Edit. I was replacing my pitman arms today and I was using this guide www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/51281 (http://www.bimmerboard.com/forums/posts/51281) There's a picture of a jack with a block of wood on it used to jack from the diff.
Much appreciated!! I was concerned about damage to bushings, etc. But it seems some routinely use the diff without a problem at least to get it up so a couple stands can be placed under the factory points. Thanks again.

[EngPhys09]

If you are doing brakes why not just jack each side up and do 1 wheel at a time, thats what i'm doing.

[rizal]

If you are doing brakes why not just jack each side up and do 1 wheel at a time, thats what i'm doing.
Thanks, guys! Since I don't have a couple of long 2x4's, maybe I'll forego that method! Have a great weekend! Great board.

[Eagle]

Yep defiantly an E30

[bubba966]

This might give you some guidance...
http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/mwong/Jackpoints.jpg
I see it listed as e30 jackpoints and e34 jackpoints. I haven't had my car on it's side to confirm if it is in fact an e34 in the pic. I don't plan on doing that any time soon, at least intentionally.

The tow loop and trunk lock are in the wrong places for it to be an E34. Must be an E30 then...

[nirvana19]

The tow loop and trunk lock are in the wrong places for it to be an E34. Must be an E30 then...

Also note the truck lock/lid, definitely E30

[Super90]

Wow I know it's been a few months since I have been underneath, but I was thinking, "That's not how I remember all that under there !"