[SonicSid]

Ok, I have a first world problem, but I'm hoping some of you with a 4 post lift have already figured out a solution.
I was able to change my oil in my BS MT for the first time without any issues due to the quality guides here. In prep for the oil change, I wanted to raise the back axle up onto jack stands, but encountered early safety issues (jack started to lean) with my low profile scissor jack. I have a solid and stable jack tray on my lift, but the tray is still too high to fit a bottle jack between it and the car's jack points. I have standard low profile floor jacks which work great on the garage floor, but they are too big to fit on the jack tray. In the end, I gave up on jacking up the car for the oil change. (used exactly 6 qts to oil gauge "full" indicator, so I suspect I got a good oil drain?)

Here is what the scissor jack looks like on the lift's jack tray:
!!!DO NOT JACK FROM THIS LOCATION, MAY BEND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS!!!
https://flic.kr/p/2hKmYmR !!!DO NOT JACK FROM THIS LOCATION, MAY BEND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS!!!

Anyone else have a 4 post lift and have jacked their car up while on the lift? If so, what's your process and what tools do you use?
Has anyone tried an air bag jack? Something like the DBT2 one at https://zendextool.com/rakjak-air-jack/

• Compressed Height: 5.25″ (133mm)
• Inflated Height: 13.75″ (350mm)

I think the lifting range would be sufficient enough, right??? I saw one used at a Austin Healey specialty shop and those cars are OG stance nation equipped. ;*)

 

[Westcoaster]

Sorry no solution for you regarding that rather scary scissor jack... but I will say that the point that you are jacking is not designed to lift the car.

 

[BB718]

I just got these for the rear of 718S, made by Fabspeed.

I use a low profile and long reach jack from Harbor Freight

 

[Westcoaster]

All I am sayin' is not recommended by Porsche as a jack point no matter what Fabspeed says...

 

[SonicSid]

Thanks @Westcoaster and @BB718! I had assumed using a slotted hockey puck on the bolts would work something similar to the Fabspeed rear jack point mount.
I've done some more 'online' research and can find nothing that shows this is a good place for a rear jack point other than Fabspeed's opinion. I did find multiple references that this is a very bad location and there is a serious risk of bending these suspension and mounting components. I'll edit my original post to reflect this info.

I'll still look more into the Rakjak air bag jack as it looks like a much better solution as a low profile jack where a standard low profile jack can't be used. I'll just be using it on the approved jack points as described in the owner's manual.
Has anyone tried out Liftbars http://liftbars.com/ ? These do use the proper Porsche approved jack points and look like they allow jack stands to be safely placed.

 

[SonicSid]

@agent 86 has already answered my questions about Liftbars here and here. Seems like a very good product, just has a few compromises (engine tray removal extra steps and needing to drive all 4 wheels onto 1 1/2" riser planks).

Still wondering about air bag jacks and anyone's experiences using them. Thanks!

 

[jimmuller]

I have little to offer except one observation about that scissor jack. It looks scary like it is about to fall to the left. But in fact the beams are asymmetric which is why it appears ready to collapse. To me it appears pretty solid. As for that mount point on the car, I wouldn't do that, especially if Porsche says not to!

 

[CaymanMatt]

My $0.02...
1) That looks like one of the cheap $15 jacks from an auction house. I purchased one and it was total junk. I sent it back and instead purchased a jack out of a Subaru Legacy from same auction house, per forum recommendation. It works great.
2) I only use the jack at the jacking locations. I wouldn't lift anywhere else.
3) MOO

 

[BB718]

Here are the 3 Fabspeed pcs I installed today,

The center jack point is used to lift car up in order to put jack stand at rear oem lift points. It will not be used to jack up car and leave it up with just the jack. Already tried it, worked great

 

[SonicSid]

Thanks @BB718! Looks like your car is also on a 4 post lift; did you jack the center jack point while your car was on the lift? If so, what type of jack did you use?
BTW, I see lots of other nice mods in your photo, looking sharp!

 

[jt4006]

BB718, FWIW, I tend to agree with Westcoaster; the center "jack point" relies on two slender aluminum extrusions (the two diagonals). Slender columns in compression can be unreliable. The stamped undertray does not significantly contribute to supporting the vertical load. The vertical load at this point can approach ~1500 lbs since it represents half the car weight, the front axle bearing the other half. The question becomes whether each diagonal can reliably bear a significant compressive load without deforming even a little. Typically, jack points are associated with suspension castings as recommended by Porsche.

 

[BB718]

Thanks @BB718! Looks like your car is also on a 4 post lift; did you jack the center jack point while your car was on the lift? If so, what type of jack did you use?
BTW, I see lots of other nice mods in your photo, looking sharp!

Thanks, I love mods. It's my drug

In that pic the car was driven on an alignment rack, no 4 point.

When I got home I used a low profile and long reach jack, lifted the car up and left it in the air for about 3mins.

If you zoom in you can see the orange jack sitting in the left corner after the tool box.

I have spoken to a few that track their cars and this is what they all use. again I won't be using it with just a jack, just enough time to place the jack stands.

What I need to get is something like a hockey puk for the oem lift spots

 

[Westcoaster]

I might be going with these once I get a car to worry about...

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Porsche-Polyurethane-Protector-TMB/dp/B01LZYGI63?pf_rd_p=cd702e4d-011c-451f-a292-2e8572aa8524&pd_rd_wg=GV7RW&pf_rd_r=EX81JJGGFYJP5WH6941P&ref_=pd_gw_cr_wsim&pd_rd_w=HOMjB&pd_rd_r=d9d467ee-1aa4-4cbd-81bd-ef65cc0ea88b

 

[BB718]

I placed an order for 1 just to see how good it works

 

[DJB]

Look for a hydraulic jack bridge for your lift. They make a 4 post almost as effective as a 2 post lift. Not cheap, but well worth it. Here is an example. https://www.gregsmithequipment.com/Atlas-RJ-35-Sliding-Jack

David

 

[BB718]

I might be going with these once I get a car to worry about...

http://[URL][URL]https://www.amazon...&pd_rd_r=d9d467ee-1aa4-4cbd-81bd-ef65cc0ea88b

[/URL][/URL]

It came quickly and it fit perfect, may order 1 more

 

[SonicSid]

@DJB - Thank you so very much for the info as I think that would be perfect for my needs on all my cars! Yes indeed, not cheap, but cheaper than a poor jacking accident. I like that it uses the OEM jack points and has locking stops, making it exceptionally safe for both me and the car.