Had a bitch of a time setting X3 down onto jack stands today

[crystalworks]

Could you chock both the front and back of the rear tire? Preventing the car rolling in either direction. Then your jack should do all therolling (towards center of the car as noted above). Just a thought... I've never really had much issue getting a vehicle in the air. Never give it much thought.

[onthefence]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

I've never really had much issue getting a vehicle in the air. Never give it much thought.

That's because you're using your stands incorrectly.
In the photo of your red car, the jack stand saddles are parallel to the jack block.
This is dangerous and the car can slip off.
Saddles should be perpendicular to the blocks.
Position them correctly, and you will have the same issues as I.

[Attacking Mid]

So, onthefence/econobox posted this just 11 days ago in an e83 forum thread asking about jacking up his e83 for the first time ever (https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sh....php?t=1359463). Now he's an expert on jacking e53's on this forum.



AM.

[crystalworks]

Originally Posted by onthefence

That's because you're using your stands incorrectly.
In the photo of your red car, the jack stand saddles are parallel to the jack block.
This is dangerous and the car can slip off.
Saddles should be perpendicular to the blocks.
Position them correctly, and you will have the same issues as I

Well thanks for enlightening me then. I've jacked up e30's, e36's, e46's, e39's, e38's, e83's, e70's, and of course e53's and apparently had a guillotine above me.

What that picture doesn't show are the jack "pucks" that fit into the lifting blocks on the truck. It's not slipping off anything. Besides that, after the vehicle is up, before removing the ramps out from under the tires and the jack from under the diff, I try to rock the truck pretty hard. If there is any movement/sway, I relift and reposition the stands.

[bcredliner]

All the jack stands I own fit nicely in the Jack points. I have 3 different brands.The tires never move and there is no question it will not fall off the stands. I never use wood blocks to gain height or for jack or jack stand pads. It doesn't matter which direction the jack stands are turned. I always jack up the front first. There is no question a good rolling jack has less friction than the front or rear tires and on cement the jack will always roll under the vehicle rather than pull the vehicle any direction, that assumes the vehicle is in park. Based on your experience my guess is you need a better jack that goes higher. And better, taller jack stands or different jack points because you shouldn't be having the problems you are experiencing.

[onthefence]

Yea, it's called sharing information.

[onthefence]

Originally Posted by bcredliner

jack that goes higher. And better, taller jack stands or different jack points because you shouldn't be having the problems you are experiencing.

Taller jack stands are actually the problem.
What kind of jack are you using?

[bcredliner]

Originally Posted by onthefence

Taller jack stands are actually the problem.
What kind of jack are you using?

PowerZone 3 ton jack that extends to about 20 inches and Craftsman high lift 3 ton jack stands that extend to 21 inches.

[andrewwynn]

Those are some nice tall jacks.

I have the 2T HF aluminum racing jack. I bring with places. It fits perfectly behind the passenger seat on the floor. I have the BMW brand rubber mats they don't even notice it.

It only reaches about 19" off the ground but it's enough to get the X up in the air plenty.

I have noticed when lifting that though the jack creeps along, it still loads up some stress on the drive train which is released by the wheels turning a bit when they lift off.

Special care must be taken when you lift from the side so that you don't load the jack stands with sideways force.

I took the side handles off my racing jacks. It's easier and more balanced to carry from inside the lift bar but more helpful is I can lift a rear wheel by the lower arm and have a tire off the ground in two pumps of the jack. Very nice for working on one side.

[bhennrich]

Originally Posted by crystalworks

Could you chock both the front and back of the rear tire? Preventing the car rolling in either direction. Then your jack should do all therolling (towards center of the car as noted above). Just a thought... I've never really had much issue getting a vehicle in the air. Never give it much thought.

Originally Posted by onthefence

That's because you're using your stands incorrectly.
In the photo of your red car, the jack stand saddles are parallel to the jack block.
This is dangerous and the car can slip off.
Saddles should be perpendicular to the blocks.
Position them correctly, and you will have the same issues as I.

OTF you are doing it wrong. You swing the arms under the car and line them up with the lift pads and then push the up button...