Jackpoints
 

I'm sure this has been covered a million times, but I'm kind of new to this stuff so bare with me :)

If I want to put the car on four jack stands, where can I lift the car? Is it okay on the differential brace and the engine cross-member? Because that's the two places I could think of..

Thanks
Niels.

The liftpoints are best shown by looking at where Porkens lift bars attach.

PorKen Products

Places its "ok" to lift vary from person to person, but as I recall it the cross member needs a block of wood shaped to fit something.

Oh I know where the four points are, I just need a way of getting the jacks under there. And as far as I know, you're not supposed to lift either front nor aft of the points. So, a central point is needed :)

Block of wood shaped to fit something. Well, that narrows it down :D

Left rear jacked high gets a jackstand under left front.

Then, right rear jacked high gets a jackstand under right front.

Because the left front is already rigid, the right front will go pretty high.

Go back to left rear and raise it. That gets you increased height on the left front. Remove the jack.
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At this point, the front is raised, but back is on the ground still.

Now, go to the rear crossmember. Lift in the center. This gets you left rear and right rear jackstand placements.

Scary to do with the S4. Make only very slow moves with the jack, especially when dropping the jack. Let the wheels under the jack move a bit as necessary, dont' fight it.

I'm sure some guys will jump on me for this but I have been doing it this way for 20 years..Its really quick too
(i have a thick rubber pad for my jack.)
jack under the rear transmission cradle cross member. lift to desired height. put jack stands under the 2 rear jack locations and set down. The rear weight will actually start to lift the front a bit.
Go to the front, and jack behind the hook thing where the heavy slanted plate meets the lower arm (between the 2 bolts on front mount of the lower contol arm).
(on either side) since the rear is on the stands it will raise easily and evenly using only one side. Put the jacks under the 2 front jack points and let down. all done, 2 minutes
now i guess we'll hear why NOT to do this :)

I usually jack the front up first using the tow hook brace where the 2 bolts are for the lower front crossmember.
jack up one side till you can put a jackstand under the pad then lower,
then get a piece of 2x4 and put it on the jack then jack up from the front crossmember ,
set both jackstands,
then go to the rear and lift the car with a block of wood on the pad and lift it from the crossmember thats under the transaxle set your rear stands

No alignment worries with that method?
Its sure safer.

I use a method similar to Mr. Merlin except I jack the rear pad on one side until the front pad on the same side is high enough to get one of my 3T stands under. From there I can use a wood block between the jack and the front cross member to lift the front up for my tall 6T stands. The back is lifted from the center of the rear cross member. Once I get the front spoiler replaced I am wondering if I will have enough clearance to get under the cross member.

Mike

if you cant fit the jack under the spoiler,
raise the car enough from one of the front pads ,
and put a block of wood under the front tire, then lower.
once the tire comes off the ground the suspension will also raise up some