Pardon this stupid question about jack pads...

R22tech · R22tech's Garage

Santa brought me (2) jack pads that fit into the factory holes on the sides of my car. My question is: How exactly do you use them and what is the proper procedure for lifting the car on both sides at the same time? I'm thinking I probably should have just asked for a floor jack and jack stands(which I know how to use) but I wasn't thinking at the time.

Doug Zielke · 12-31-2001, 06:26 AM

Not stupid, r22, not at all.
The 2 jack pad method is what I use to lift my car. You also need 2 floor jacks, however.
Just pull the plastic jack port covers. Insert your jack pad into the hole, plate side down.
Put floor jack under the round plate, and start pumping. When using two jacks, you pump a bit on each side, so the car comes up evenly.

jlex · jlex's Garage

The jack pads were designed for use with a floor jack (unless you received the hard to find anti-gravity type). To lift the car entirely off the ground, you'd jack up one side a modest amount at a time, insert your jack stands underneath, then remove the jack pad and use it and the floor jack on the opposite side.
I suppose two pads and two floor jacks would be lots easier, but then I'm cheap.
regards,
jlex.

mm86911 · mm86911's Garage

Doug - the jack pad is great for placing your car on jackstands. It was one of my first purchases for the car.

I would strongly recommend that you only jack up one side at a time as lifting all 4 wheels off the ground on only 2 points will not be balanced nor safe. I typically use the pad (only need one) to raise one side, place jack stands, then do the other. Sell your extra pad to an Atlanta Pelican.

rfix'n · 12-31-2001, 07:15 AM

I use Doug's method, I don't see a problem with this as long as you support the car with stands prior to getting underneath. It's quicker and I beleive better for the car two lift both sides at the same time and evenly.

Sunroof · 12-31-2001, 10:14 AM

Doug....
I have jacked up enough of my 911's to know two pads are better then one. You get a better balance on raising the car; however, its best to invest in a second jack (not too expensive). This is the best of all world's when you can go back and forth between the two jacks with better control and stability. If your going to keep that Carrera, I highly suggest two jacks and two jack pads. I also found that using a small block of wood along with the pad (under the pad) helps to raise the car even higher and gets a better "bite" on the jack pad itself. Make sure you push that pad all the way in to the slot. Jacking one side high can make them slide out and thats an ugly scene!

Happy lifting!

Bob
73.5 T

mm86911 · mm86911's Garage

Guess I'm doing this the hard way. . . just couldn't imagine the car being balanced on only 2 lift points. . .

grant lyon · grant lyon's Garage

Just one hint: you want to be careful if you have upward projecting tabs on your jack. I have four tabs on my jack and if I'm not careful they could gouge the rocker panels. I know, because our other P-car went into a good tire shop and they nicked the panels even with a jack pad. They're no longer an "excellent" shop on my list.

JoeF · 01-01-2002, 05:26 AM

I got a jack pad from Pelican, I have not used it yet. I did compare it to the size of the round part of my trusty homeowner type floor jack. It looks like the jack pad flat part is bigger than the round lifting pad on the floor jack, and could slide off the floor jack. Is this a real problem? Should I get a better jack? In wayne's book, pg.17, it shows a much larger floor jack.
JoeF

Ned, NYNA11 · 01-01-2002, 06:02 AM

Guys,
Take the jack pads to the man and have him weld a 4 inch length of 1 1/2 or 2 inch pipe so that it sticks down from the bottom of the pad. Then when jacking, jack on the end of the pipe which will be well clear of the rocker tin.
A better mousetrap.
Ned Monaghan

R22tech · R22tech's Garage

I'm keeping the (2) pads, getting (2) floor jacks, but still not 100% clear on whether I need the jack stands. I know the car will be balanced without stands, but what happens when I start taking wheels or bumpers off? Will it still be balanced on just the pads? Also, I, too, am concerned about the jack slipping off the pads, since the pads are just a nice, shiny, flat round surface. I think the block of wood idea sounds like a good one.

rstoll · 01-01-2002, 07:40 AM

Jack stands! Jack stands! Jack stands! If you take a wheel off....Jack Stands!!!

Doug Zielke · 01-01-2002, 07:53 AM

Don't kill yer'self R22! You just use the jack pads and jacks to lift the car. Then you put jack stands in the correct places. See Waynes book for details. The car will not "balance" on the pads anyway. The rear will rise as you jack up the sides. It is then you place the stands at the rear. Then, you can take a floor jack and put it under each side at the recommended location at the front. Finally, put the front jack stands in place.

Don't get squashed like a grape. Be safe!

Sunroof · 01-01-2002, 07:57 AM

Doug, Doug, Doug....

You need the jack stands!!!!!!!!!!! Never attempt a repair with the 911 just sitting on the two jack pads. Your looking for trouble that way. Using two jack pads and jacks just helps raise the car in more equal measures and better balance. As soon as I reach the lowest jack stand height I start placing the jack stands at the support points until I have reached the desired height. Heck, I would think a gust of wind would set a 911 off balance if held up only by the two jack pads.....

Be safe......

Regards
Bob
73.5 T

carreradpt · carreradpt's Garage

You gotta use the stands. Last night just before we arrived at a New Years party, the hosts neighbor, a 250 lb Somoan teenager, got a helicopter ride to Harboview because he didn't use them. Seems he drove his van up on ramps and then jacked the back of the van to work underneath. It slipped and he got pinned. Almost killed him. As it is he might lose his arm. Use the stands!!!

MBAtarga · 01-01-2002, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by JoeF
... It looks like the jack pad flat part is bigger than the round lifting pad on the floor jack, and could slide off the floor jack. Is this a real problem?...

I noticed this after the first couple of uses of the pad and the saw that the jack was sliding away from the car - off the pad, as I was lifting. I solved the problem by drilling 3 holes through the pad and inserting three 5/16" bolts w/nuts. The lifting pad on the jack now grabs the side of the nuts as it lifts and no longer slides off the jack pad.

89911 · 01-01-2002, 06:44 PM

I would disagree with using the jackstand openings as the primary means of raising your car. I think those were primary designed to support the weight of one side raised for emergency situations. I have seen alot of blown out supports and bent rocker panels, along with stress cracks directy above these from the weight. I would use these as less as possible. When you jack up one side to get jackstands under it and then go to the other side, the car is at an unbalanced position and is exerting not only a downward force but sideways force on the jack. Better to jack the backend up balanced under the engine and then throw some stands under the torsion bar housings inward of the springplates. Then raise the front and place them in the area of the front torsion bar housings or tow hooks. A good place is directly behind the front airconditioning condensor using a 2X4 supported by the stands.

Kurt peterson · 01-02-2002, 04:27 AM

Since we're on the subject of lifting your car, I have a question about jacking up the rear of my '87 930. I currently use a floor jack under the rear jack pad on either side of the car. The problem with this method is 1) it lifts the entire side of the car and, 2) I can't place the jack stand under the torsion bar cover because the jack is in the way. I put them under the rear control arms. (I ALWAYS use jack stands, I won't trust my life to a 5 cent O-ring in my floor jack - and an Italian O-ring at that.)

Wayne's book shows raising the rear of the car by lifting with your floor jack under the oil screen cover but my 930 engine has no flat area for the floor jack. The 930 block has no suitable area for lifting that I can see. I'm reluctant to try this without first hearing that I won't crack my block. Any one have any ideas???

89911 · 01-02-2002, 04:54 AM

The recommended area is the bottom of the engine on the metal fins close to the center oil drain plug. Place a piece of wood on a jack pad and place at the point were the metal is thickest. It may seem unusual, but I have seen this in almost every text written and have been using it for years.