Getting under the car
#1
Patience
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Getting under the car
What do you all use to get under your car to change the oil and whatnot? I don't have a lift or a pit in my garage and I'd rather do the work myself than pay some punk kid at the lube shop to do it.
#2
I am the stig.
I've got some steel ramps from Costco (probably 15 years old) that I use to get under my car. The other widely accepted method of raising a car is using a floor jack and jack stands.
Ramps - Pros
Easy and quick to use, very stable, useable in driveway.
Ramps - Cons
Two man operation(1), not suitable for low cars(2), doesn't raise the car that much.
Note 1: Usually my brother will drive and I'll place the ramps and spot. You could do it with one person, but there's a good chance of driving off the end of the ramps.
Note 2: I use a couple of 2x8's in front of the ramps to get keep the front facia from hitting the ramps. (FC stock ride hight)
Jackstands - Pros
Requires a level surface, can raise the car pretty high, lifts wheels off of the ground.
Jackstands - Cons
Not suitable for sloped surfaces, not the most stable platform, a bit time consuming to setup.
I guess what it really comes down to is having a level surface to work on. Level surface = jackstands, Sloped surface = ramps.
Ramps - Pros
Easy and quick to use, very stable, useable in driveway.
Ramps - Cons
Two man operation(1), not suitable for low cars(2), doesn't raise the car that much.
Note 1: Usually my brother will drive and I'll place the ramps and spot. You could do it with one person, but there's a good chance of driving off the end of the ramps.
Note 2: I use a couple of 2x8's in front of the ramps to get keep the front facia from hitting the ramps. (FC stock ride hight)
Jackstands - Pros
Requires a level surface, can raise the car pretty high, lifts wheels off of the ground.
Jackstands - Cons
Not suitable for sloped surfaces, not the most stable platform, a bit time consuming to setup.
I guess what it really comes down to is having a level surface to work on. Level surface = jackstands, Sloped surface = ramps.
#3
voo doo witchdoctor
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Texarkana, Arkansas
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i just use a set of plastic ramps and a jack and stands in back. or i can back my car onto some ramps and jack up the front to get the wheels of fthe ground.
whatever u do never trust the parking brake always put some chocks or bricks behind the wheels that arent in the air
whatever u do never trust the parking brake always put some chocks or bricks behind the wheels that arent in the air
#7
Boost in..Apex seals out.
Join Date: Nov 2003
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Taking 50lbs off of a 2800lb car makes it that light?! ZOMG!! LETS DO IT!!
Originally Posted by capt murph
If you take the A/C out of the car it becomes light enough you can push it up the ramps, or so i read ...
Oh hell it's friday!
Oh hell it's friday!
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#9
BMW Tech
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Auburn, Alabama
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1. Raise door and drive into air conditioned shop.
2. Pull into stall between twin post lift.
3. Swing lift arms under vehicle.
4. Push button and watch vehicle go up.
The joys of being a BMW tech.
2. Pull into stall between twin post lift.
3. Swing lift arms under vehicle.
4. Push button and watch vehicle go up.
The joys of being a BMW tech.
#10
voo doo witchdoctor
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Texarkana, Arkansas
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Originally Posted by lupin
you go ahead and buy the ramps and for some reason your car doesn't start, goodluck pushing it up the ramps. A nice jack and jackstands makes everything perfect, no mess ups if everything is done right
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