Safely Jacking up a 997 using a pair of JackPoint Jackstands
07-21-2012, 02:59 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Safely Jacking up a 997 using a pair of JackPoint Jackstands
Background and Goals
I'm coming up on 18 months of ownership with my '08 C2S 997.1 and now have a few DIY's projects under my belt. Initially, however, I recall how intimidating it was to just jack up the car even though I've done numerous other advance DIY projects on my prior BMW's. After reading a few "how to jack up your Porsche" DIY's I still had some reservations about how to safely jack up the car without a lift... then came along JackPoint. I purchased a pair when they were 1st available last year and I've been a happy DIYer ever since. So the goal of this write up is to help other RL members to easily jack up their 997 using the JackPoint system. BTW, I have no affiliation with JackPoint. But short of an in home/garage lift like the MaxxJack system this has been the most cost effective and safe solution I've come across.
Tools Required:
- Low profile 2 ton floor jack preferably with a 2 3/4" or lower starting lift point... I prefer steel floor jacks for home use. Those who track may want to get a lighter aluminum floor jack.
- One pair of JackPoint Jack Stands
- One pair of automotive jack stands
- One pair of jack pads/pucks
- Rubber pads for jack stands. Run these rubber pads under hot water to make them pliable and easy to slip over your jack stands. These help to prevent slippage between the jack pads/pucks and the jack stands.
Optional/Recommended Parts:
- another pair of JackPoints Jack Stands if you have cash to spare... in place of the pair of normal jack stands
Reference Materials:
JackPoint Video
Instructions:
1. Insert the jack pads/pucks into the front jack/mount points. Use keyed pads/pucks and turn them 90 degrees to loosely lock them in place. Safety Note: Do this while the car is on the ground for obvious safety reasons. Also block/choke the tires, ensure the hand brake has been engaged, and that the car is in 1st gear(MT) or Park(PDK/Tiptronic).
2. Place the JackPoint Jack pad on your floor jack. Aligned it with the car's jack/mount point. The car has 4 points(2 per side). I use the rear jack/mount points as the majority of the car's weight is towards the rear.
3. Once the rear end is lifted the front of the car will also lift due to the stiffness of the car's chassis. Continue to lift until the front of the car is high enough to slide your normal jack stand under the front jack/mount point. Then lower the rear end noting the alignment of your front jack to the jack/mount point and the alignment of the rear JP jack pad to the JP jack stand.
4. Repeat this process to lift the other side of the car. You now have a safely and properly jacked car. Very lightly attempt to push the car(don't over due it) to check that it is truly secure and in place. It should not move at all. If it does move then drop the car, start over, and check for alignment and/or root cause of mis-alignment. Safety Note: Insure that the car is level.
5. To lower and remove the jacks reverse these procedures.
SAFETY NOTE: never place yourself underneath the car until all jack stands are in place and secure. In fact, safest if you never place yourself underneath the car... but unfortunately there will be a time when this is required to access certain parts of the vehicle for maintenance/repair. Just be doubly safe when doing so.
Comments and Note to Self:
The JP jack stand height is adequate for most projects, however, I would have preferred another 1-2" of lift for my exhaust system swap out project. I'm contemplating the fab/build of a 2x4's platform in a U-shape to place beneath the JP jack stands to elevate them a few inches. Again, safety will be the concern so may reach out to discuss with the folks at JP for some ideas re this.
I'm coming up on 18 months of ownership with my '08 C2S 997.1 and now have a few DIY's projects under my belt. Initially, however, I recall how intimidating it was to just jack up the car even though I've done numerous other advance DIY projects on my prior BMW's. After reading a few "how to jack up your Porsche" DIY's I still had some reservations about how to safely jack up the car without a lift... then came along JackPoint. I purchased a pair when they were 1st available last year and I've been a happy DIYer ever since. So the goal of this write up is to help other RL members to easily jack up their 997 using the JackPoint system. BTW, I have no affiliation with JackPoint. But short of an in home/garage lift like the MaxxJack system this has been the most cost effective and safe solution I've come across.
Tools Required:
- Low profile 2 ton floor jack preferably with a 2 3/4" or lower starting lift point... I prefer steel floor jacks for home use. Those who track may want to get a lighter aluminum floor jack.
- One pair of JackPoint Jack Stands
- One pair of automotive jack stands
- One pair of jack pads/pucks
- Rubber pads for jack stands. Run these rubber pads under hot water to make them pliable and easy to slip over your jack stands. These help to prevent slippage between the jack pads/pucks and the jack stands.
Optional/Recommended Parts:
- another pair of JackPoints Jack Stands if you have cash to spare... in place of the pair of normal jack stands
Reference Materials:
JackPoint Video
Instructions:
1. Insert the jack pads/pucks into the front jack/mount points. Use keyed pads/pucks and turn them 90 degrees to loosely lock them in place. Safety Note: Do this while the car is on the ground for obvious safety reasons. Also block/choke the tires, ensure the hand brake has been engaged, and that the car is in 1st gear(MT) or Park(PDK/Tiptronic).
2. Place the JackPoint Jack pad on your floor jack. Aligned it with the car's jack/mount point. The car has 4 points(2 per side). I use the rear jack/mount points as the majority of the car's weight is towards the rear.
3. Once the rear end is lifted the front of the car will also lift due to the stiffness of the car's chassis. Continue to lift until the front of the car is high enough to slide your normal jack stand under the front jack/mount point. Then lower the rear end noting the alignment of your front jack to the jack/mount point and the alignment of the rear JP jack pad to the JP jack stand.
4. Repeat this process to lift the other side of the car. You now have a safely and properly jacked car. Very lightly attempt to push the car(don't over due it) to check that it is truly secure and in place. It should not move at all. If it does move then drop the car, start over, and check for alignment and/or root cause of mis-alignment. Safety Note: Insure that the car is level.
5. To lower and remove the jacks reverse these procedures.
SAFETY NOTE: never place yourself underneath the car until all jack stands are in place and secure. In fact, safest if you never place yourself underneath the car... but unfortunately there will be a time when this is required to access certain parts of the vehicle for maintenance/repair. Just be doubly safe when doing so.
Comments and Note to Self:
The JP jack stand height is adequate for most projects, however, I would have preferred another 1-2" of lift for my exhaust system swap out project. I'm contemplating the fab/build of a 2x4's platform in a U-shape to place beneath the JP jack stands to elevate them a few inches. Again, safety will be the concern so may reach out to discuss with the folks at JP for some ideas re this.
Last edited by USMC_DS1; 07-22-2012 at 06:24 PM.
07-22-2012, 12:14 AM
#2
Jack point makes spacer plates that go between the base and the jack pad to give you additional height. You may want to get those instead of fabricating 2x4 stands.
Ken
Ken
07-22-2012, 12:59 AM
#4
Good job getting the car up in the air and keeping safety first. Still may want to post up liability disclaimer in case someone gets hurt or killed learning jacking from your post. Just saying. You never know.
Definitely don't use 2x4's or other sized solid wood in your jacking system. A local pro mechanic was killed recently when he was using wood along with the shop lift. The wood split under some rocking of the vehicle allowing the car to slip off the lift and land on the mechanic. He later died of his injuries.
Definitely don't use 2x4's or other sized solid wood in your jacking system. A local pro mechanic was killed recently when he was using wood along with the shop lift. The wood split under some rocking of the vehicle allowing the car to slip off the lift and land on the mechanic. He later died of his injuries.
07-22-2012, 01:22 AM
#5
Drifting
Thread Starter
Good job getting the car up in the air and keeping safety first. Still may want to post up liability disclaimer in case someone gets hurt or killed learning jacking from your post. Just saying. You never know.
Definitely don't use 2x4's or other sized solid wood in your jacking system. A local pro mechanic was killed recently when he was using wood along with the shop lift. The wood split under some rocking of the vehicle allowing the car to slip off the lift and land on the mechanic. He later died of his injuries.
Definitely don't use 2x4's or other sized solid wood in your jacking system. A local pro mechanic was killed recently when he was using wood along with the shop lift. The wood split under some rocking of the vehicle allowing the car to slip off the lift and land on the mechanic. He later died of his injuries.
07-22-2012, 09:27 AM
#6
Rennlist Member
USMC - you freakin' rock! You should get the 'Rennlist P-car Instructional Procedure Dude' (RPCIPD) of the year award. I'm not kidding. Your posts are great. Thank you and keep them coming. 
07-22-2012, 12:28 PM
#7
Drifting
Thread Starter
Pay it Forward
Zeus, thanks and I'll take that as a 
from Olympus. 
I love working on my 997 almost as much as driving it. It is such a finely engineered machine. Logging service work is a force of professional habit from my prior work in Marine Aviation. We were either following tech pubs, documenting changes and/or pass downs, or writing to the manufacturers for clarifications and/or changes. When I'm working on new gear I take lots of pics and notes then document so I can put everything back together properly and for future use... so more than happy to share with others on the forum JIC it can also help someone else. Plus I've benefited so much from the write ups of others. Keep paying it forward my friends.
from Olympus. I love working on my 997 almost as much as driving it. It is such a finely engineered machine. Logging service work is a force of professional habit from my prior work in Marine Aviation. We were either following tech pubs, documenting changes and/or pass downs, or writing to the manufacturers for clarifications and/or changes. When I'm working on new gear I take lots of pics and notes then document so I can put everything back together properly and for future use... so more than happy to share with others on the forum JIC it can also help someone else. Plus I've benefited so much from the write ups of others. Keep paying it forward my friends.
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07-22-2012, 06:51 PM
#11
Drifting
Thread Starter
07-22-2012, 08:49 PM
#13
