Jack pedistal

[Kibokojoe]

Been thinking about building a jacking pedistal for my Bimmers for a while. I know there has been problems finding locations on the Bimmers to safely raise the vehicle without damaging anything. And using the Bimmer jack is a pain. I thought why not jack the vehicle at the jack points. Here is what I have come up with. It consist of a 1 inch pipe union bolted to a used brake pad. I counter sunk both the end of the bolt into the union and countersunk the nut into the pad. I can now jack my vehicle using my 10 ton jack and without damaging anything under the car. What do you guys think? Next week I will find some 1.25" rod and weld it to a 3/8" plate, then I don't have to worry about it rolling by snapping the bolt. Of course never rely on a jack to hold up the vehicle always place jack stands before getting under any vehicle;)

http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj225/kibokojoe/Picture005.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj225/kibokojoe/Picture004.jpg
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj225/kibokojoe/Picture001.jpg

[BigKriss]

looks good but why not just jack it at under the subframe at the front of the car?

[Kibokojoe]

I've heard you can bend the subframe.

looks good but why not just jack it at under the subframe at the front of the car?

[dennyg]

I think we all have tried using a standard floor jack on these points and seeing the metal start to bend is not a good feeling. If you perfect this I am sure many of us out there would be interested in building or buying one. Have you ever thought of grooving a flat piece to fit the rocker part jutting down?

[whiskychaser]

I think its a great idea. Half a tonne is a lot for a pipe fitting though - have you tested it yet?

[Kibokojoe]

Yeap sure did and she held up just fine, I am still leaning towards making it out of solid stock metal. Need to find a source for 1.25" rod.

[Ross]

I'd also be a little wary of applying that much pressure on a small piece of Chinese cast iron.
A "close" nipple(s) treaded in would strengthen it.

[Kibokojoe]

If there is enough interest, I can have these cast for about $12.00 USD a piece. They will weigh about 2 pounds each so shipping won't be too hateful. Let me know. I will have to make the patterns and minimum will be 8 at a time. Biggest thing is making the patterns.

[whiskychaser]

A "close" nipple(s) treaded in would strengthen it.
With the greatest respect, I cant help thinking that this has got something to do with your signature pic:D Having solved the problem of lifting the car without bending it, where are we to put the axle stands? Under the chassis rail pinches them. I've put them under the sills with timber in between and hated every second. So where is best? Do we need a poll?

[Kibokojoe]

Pattern is made. I will take it to the foundry tomorrow. Let you know
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj225/kibokojoe/jackstandpattern.jpg

[Tiger]

I don't know why you bother with the cast piece... If you have the typical steel shop lift, you can buy rubberized pad for it from Harbor Freight for dirt cheap... which is what I use on my 3 ton jack.

If you have the aluminum shop jack (which I have also), it already comes wiht the rubberized pad. I have been using it for years and never a problem.

I'd be scared to use that metal cast as it will slip off hte car if rocked. Plus you damage the paint at the jacking point.

[Kibokojoe]

So this rubberized piece fits in the hole at the jack point? I have a rubberized mat but doesn't fit into the jack point. When the car lifts you can hear the vehicle creaking and the metal around the jack point deflecting and bending. Not good

[shogun]

http://www.protechproducts.net/jackpads.htm
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=96306

[Kibokojoe]

But don't all of these pads rely on placing the jack in an area not designed for lifting? I do like the pad with the cross on it. Have you ever seen any documentation on where the proper lifting points are? With respect to the jack stands I like to place the front ones on the sway bar u-brackets. On the back it is a little tougher to find a good spot.

[Kibokojoe]

Ohhh now I like these
http://www.protechproducts.net/jackstandpads.htm

[Ross]

A hockey puck works fine if you are worried about the jack saddle directly on the car.

[Ross]

A hockey puck also makes a fine cusion.

[shogun]

http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/mwong/Jackpoints.jpg

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Jacking_Up/pic6.jpg
http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/E36-Jacking_Up/pic10.jpg

[repenttokyo]

I use my steel 3 ton jack directly on the jackpoints, it fits well if I'm careful.

[Tiger]

They only have this now...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96306

Mine, I take out the original steel circle plate and the new one replaces it... is square and ribbed The rubber pad is 3/8" thick and the ribs adds another 1/4" to the pad. No bending or any noises.

[Tiger]

Harborfreight got those too.

[whiskychaser]

Pattern is made. I will take it to the foundry tomorrow. Let you know
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj225/kibokojoe/jackstandpattern.jpg
The 'omega' shape looks like it will take the weight on all the reinforced area so thats a definite plus. The idea of putting jack stands under the roll bar bracket sounds good. But I'd be concerned it would crush it. And if you are dropping the 'box you need the roll bar out of the way. Wherever you put the jack or stands, you have a hell of a weight in a small place. I get round this by using timber in between to spread the load. Its not pretty but it works and doesnt slide

[Kibokojoe]

Thats it a hockey puck. Very nice

[leicesterboy15]

The 'omega' shape looks like it will take the weight on all the reinforced area so thats a definite plus. The idea of putting jack stands under the roll bar bracket sounds good. But I'd be concerned it would crush it. And if you are dropping the 'box you need the roll bar out of the way. Wherever you put the jack or stands, you have a hell of a weight in a small place. I get round this by using timber in between to spread the load. Its not pretty but it works and doesnt slide

I do the same thing, some timber between the stands and the car and have the stands rest on a sheet of wood to spread the weight to the ground (I have a block driveway).

I don't trust the jacking points as they were totally gone on my old e34, this one seems fine but I still have worries about them, its much easier using the chasis runners, do these really flex? I would be concerned about driving it if they flex so much that it caused damage because these form the structural rigidity of the whole thing. There must be some flex by design but surely they wouldn't get damaged?

[whiskychaser]

I do the same thing, some timber between the stands and the car and have the stands rest on a sheet of wood to spread the weight to the ground (I have a block driveway).

I don't trust the jacking points as they were totally gone on my old e34, this one seems fine but I still have worries about them, its much easier using the chasis runners, do these really flex? I would be concerned about driving it if they flex so much that it caused damage because these form the structural rigidity of the whole thing. There must be some flex by design but surely they wouldn't get damaged?

I wouldnt put a trolley jack under the chassis members as I think they would get crushed. I've had axle stands under them and even with timber to spread the load they are a tad out of shape. Finding somewhere to jack/support the car is pretty damn basic but there doesnt seem to be a consensus

[Kibokojoe]

Anybody seen this?
http://www.bimmerworld.com/html/e36-jacking-plate.htm

[/URL]
I wouldnt put a trolley jack under the chassis members as I think they would get crushed. I've had axle stands under them and even with timber to spread the load they are a tad out of shape. Finding somewhere to jack/support the car is pretty damn basic but there doesnt seem to be a consensus

[leicesterboy15]

I wouldnt put a trolley jack under the chassis members as I think they would get crushed. I've had axle stands under them and even with timber to spread the load they are a tad out of shape. Finding somewhere to jack/support the car is pretty damn basic but there doesnt seem to be a consensus

Excuse my ignorance but by chassis members do you mean the points in Shoguns' diagram below next to the front jacking points where the floor jack and stands are highlighted? I've been using these points (granted only occasionally) with no problems but I'm wondering if i'm doing any long term damage now.

Yes its a pretty basic requirement and I guess its just what works for you although I am not experienced in these things at all so I'm happy to take queues from all you gurus!






http://www.bimmerboard.com/members/mwong/Jackpoints.jpg

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/E36-Jacking_Up/pic6.jpg
http://www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/E36-Jacking_Up/pic10.jpg

[whiskychaser]

Excuse my ignorance but by chassis members do you mean the points in Shoguns' diagram below next to the front jacking points where the floor jack and stands are highlighted? I've been using these points (granted only occasionally) with no problems but I'm wondering if i'm doing any long term damage now.

Yes its a pretty basic requirement and I guess its just what works for you although I am not experienced in these things at all so I'm happy to take queues from all you gurus!

Yes those are the points I meant and I doubt very much you have done any damage. I noticed mine were marked after the car had been sitting on stands for a few days while I swapped trannies. Thats why I'm reluctant to actually lift the car using those points.
By the way, I just learned that rocker panels means sills:)

[Kibokojoe]

The patterns are complete and I will take them to the foundry on Monday. Owners says they will need to be mounted and he can make 9 at a time. Would like to take my boys with me so they can see how they pour the metal. Thirty years ago I worked for an oil field equipment company that manufactured metal components. Not only did I get a chance to design and draw metal components they let me work with sand casting and pouring of metal. Great fun

It will be like old time :)
http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj225/kibokojoe/soldiers.jpg