FAQ?: How to properly raise and support your E28

[wkohler]

*This is not an FAQ about how to teach your E28 life lessons or putting money away to secure it's future.*

Problem: You don't have access to a lift and you need to work under your car.

Solution: Use a floor jack and jack stands!

Secondary Problem Arising from that Solution: You don't know where to properly place said jack and jack stands so as to properly support the car while working beneath it.

To lift the vehicle:

*On the pad of your floor jack, I suggest using either a proper jack pad or a piece of wood, to protect your car.*

Front:
If your vehicle is at stock ride height or not considerably lowered, you can place the jack beneath the frame rail, just behind where it bends down under the car. Ensure that the jack does not interfere with jack stand placement.

If your car is lowered to the point where you cannot get the jack under the rail, use a 2x4 under each front tire. To do this, place the wood on the ground in line with the tire, then push the car onto the wood. You should now be able to slide the jack under the car.

Rear:
Some say it's alright to lift the car by the differential, but in this writer's experience, it places a strange load on the differential mount. Because of that, I lift the car under the subframe bushing on each side. Do not lift by the subframe itself. That puts a lot of stress on the bushings and the subframe (or rear-axle carrier as described in the Bentley Manual) is not designed for that type of load. The bolt going through the bushing holds the subframe rigidly to the car, which makes this the most-suitable lifting point.

*Remember to always chock the wheel(s) opposite of the one being raised.*

To place jack stands:

The ideal placement for jack stands is at the lifting points in the rocker panels. In areas where the rocker panels do not last long (such as the rust belt), You can jack the front from the subframe, placing the stands beneath the frame rails. In order to ensure the car is planted solidly and the load distributed effectively on the stand, I like to place the stand on a 1/2" piece of plywood, then place a 2x4 across the stand's saddle. (Pictures to come shortly).

Once the car has been lifted and placed on jack stands:

Before venturing underneath the car, check to ensure the car is solidly supported. To do this, visually inspect that the stands are properly placed and the load is distributed properly. Then gently try to shake the car. There should be no movement. If there is movement, you need to double check your placement.

[wkohler]

It would be uber-swell if this could be stickied while it is refined! Also, if anything is incorrect or has been omitted, I want to hear about it!

This weekend, I will be updating the post with pictures.

Thank you.

[DaRedRocket]

Also, if anything is incorrect or has been omitted, I want to hear about it!

Great job Chris.

[1st 5er]

I want to hear about it!

I like Rod's lift block configurations he uses with his EZcarlift.
Scrolling down you'll see he uses them also with his floor jack.

Good write up Chris.

[Brad D.]

Nice writeup Chris.

[Das_Prachtstrasse]

Used the 2x4 method a day ago, works like a charm.

Only other thing I could think of are pics of jacking points for noobs, but it looks like your on that one like a comfy bed.

Nicely executed.

[passwor3]

A hockey puck fits perfectly on the cup of my floor jack.

Also I cut a groove (in order to accommodate the rocker panel flanges) in two hockey pucks, one for each jack stand, to be located at the rear jacking points of the car.

[mercury26]

Pictures would be an awesome addition to this thread. I agree that is should be made a sticky in the Tech FAQs.

Thanks,

Chuck

[ChefShawn]

Pictures would be an awesome addition to this thread. I agree that is should be made a sticky in the Tech FAQs.

Thanks,

Chuck

Sweet write up, Please include the pictures soon.

Also a question:

How long should/could one leave an e28 up on jack stands as you described?

a) a day.
b) a few days.
c) as long as you need it.
d) never leave an e28 on jack stands overnight.

[mercury26]

I found a good post on the web that has some pictures.

http://www.oldbmw.com/E28/jacking.html

Cheers,

Chuck

[DaRedRocket]

I found a good post on the web that has some pictures.

http://www.oldbmw.com/E28/jacking.html

Cheers,

Chuck

That title makes me thinking that he's teaching you how to steal an E28 with 4 jack stands.

[wkohler]

I'm going to make my own photos but it will be after Christmas.

[EC]

I'm going to make my own photos but it will be after Christmas.

and sometime before next Christmas

Just, messin' around with ya Christopher.

Nice write up

[wkohler]

I was just thinking about this today. I'll have them soon.

[EC]

I'll have them soon.

Ah, no worries.

My e28 is currently safe and sound in the garage, only it's upside down on jackstands due to the lack of pictured instructions.

Now I have to refill all the fluids

[Betty9000]

Do you have instructions and photos for jack stands on a dirt floor? What if I just dig a hole so I can get under it that way?

[alotawatts]

*On the pad of your floor jack, I suggest using either a proper jack pad or a piece of wood, to protect your car.*

I can donate pics showing why this is important !

[wkohler]

Please do! If you do not have them hosted, you can send them to my e-mail address and I'll handle it. Thank you!

[Paul in N FL]

Shouldn't the e30 jackpoints be about the same?

[boardsportsrule]

Any word on the pictures? for clarification for this noob, are the "frame rails" the same as the 2 upper and 2 lower-most "jack stand" spots in the picture above?(the blue ones..)

And are the "sub frame bushing" is the "sub frame mounts" in the post here http://www.mye28.com/viewtopic.php?prin ... c&&start=0

Correct?

Im new to all this, and between here and the bently i get confused on all the names for everything. Thanks!

Andy

[wkohler]

I knew you were going to post asking for pictures. I knew it.

I've done nothing. I'll try to get some this weekend.

[boardsportsrule]

it's all good. no huge rush. Mainly wondering if what i think are the parts you mentioned, actually are..if i could figure that out, pictures wouldnt be too nessesary. I have a good mental image of the underside, just not sure if i'm on the same wavelength in terms of part names..

lemme know, thanks for your time! greatly appreciated.

andy

[davintosh]

I knew you were going to post asking for pictures. I knew it.

I've done nothing. I'll try to get some this weekend.

The weekend is gone. Where r the stinkin' pitchers dood?

[1st 5er]

I knew you were going to post asking for pictures. I knew it.

I've done nothing. I'll try to get some this weekend.

The weekend is gone. Where r the stinkin' pitchers dood?

Hey, git offen his back, ain't you'n ne'er heard of no long weekend thingy.

[jasonkurtsdad]

ok, i may have missed it but i need to take the back axle off altogether, i cant place axle stands on the sub frame as its getting replaced. so not wanting to sound dumb where is the best place to put them as the jacking points are a bit dodgy to sit the car on?