Its always the simple things....

[Redline]

Yesterday I swapped the headlight bulbs on my newly acquired Z4 3.0L SI from the candles the car was supplied with to much brighter halogens. I knew from earlier discussions that it was going to be a fiddly job, and so it proved.

The near-side went relatively easily and painlessly - just awkward with the wheels on full left lock, but, at least being right handed, I managed to get everything back in place without mishap.

The off-side was a completely different story. I just couldn't get the cover back into the space that was marginally smaller than the cover itself. After a little colourful language and grazed knuckles I was contemplating taking the wheel off to give greater access. And therein lies the problem.

My small bottle jack was about 1" to big to get underneath the jacking point - Oh b***er.

After much more cursing and frustration, I managed to get the cover back on (hopefully without any additional muck on the seal. But, now i know I have a problem if I need to jack the car.

So, the questions:-
What do you guys out there use to jack up your car (am guessing similar issues on Z3s as Z4s)?
Any examples ?
Will a trolley jack go under the car?
If so, which do you rate?
Do you use a different point for jacking?
Do you run up onto blocks to give extra room?

 

[phil.a]

you can always get a tapered block of wood to drive on 2" would be high enough, then you could put your jack under it

 

[Low Rider]

Check out ebay number
181172807071

 

[Redline]

you can always get a tapered block of wood to drive on 2" would be high enough, then you could put your jack under it

That was my first thought - and cheap
I recall now - when I was a kid our neighbour had exactly that but they were stinking great things about 5" high. We used them for bike jumping!

 

[Redline]

Check out ebay number
181172807071

View attachment 22697

Was about to take a look for something like this - looks just the job.

 

[Low Rider]

A great tool to use my brother recently purchased one.

 

[hard top]

you can always get a tapered block of wood to drive on 2" would be high enough, then you could put your jack under it

We have to do that at work to get the cars on one of these that the boss bought (for his own car)
To be honest, I do not trust the thing and don't like working under a car on it.

​

 

[Brian H]

Wooden blocks are a great way of cheating 2-4" of extra height, I have a couple of low profile trolley jacks, one very similar to the one linked to above great but quite heavy, I also have a steel/aluminium trolley jack which is a lot easier to move around under the car.

Both jacks are 2 1/2 ton jacks.

 

[Redline]

Wooden blocks are a great way of cheating 2-4" of extra height, I have a couple of low profile trolley jacks, one very similar to the one linked to above great but quite heavy, I also have a steel/aluminium trolley jack which is a lot easier to move around under the car.

Both jacks are 2 1/2 ton jacks.

Am struggling for space to store things already. It might have to be wooden blocks until I have a sort out in the garage.

 

[Shelly]

Yeah your changed your avatar @Redline
Looking good

 

[Redline]

Yeah your changed your avatar @Redline
Looking good

You noticed - Yay!
Thanks

 

[Brian4]

Wooden blocks every time they also come in useful for loads of things. I've got some about 3' long to get onto the ramps as the front is too low and long and would catch the ramp before the wheels start to rise. Mine are offcuts from floor joists so 8"x2".

 

[Redline]

Wooden blocks every time they also come in useful for loads of things. I've got some about 3' long to get onto the ramps as the front is too low and long and would catch the ramp before the wheels start to rise. Mine are offcuts from floor joists so 8"x2".

So who did you employ to cut through a joist at an angle - sounds like hard work to which I am very allergic

 

[DavidM]

We have to do that at work to get the cars on one of these that the boss bought (for his own car)
To be honest, I do not trust the thing and don't like working under a car on it.

​

I don't like working under a car - full stop!

 

[t-tony]

So who did you employ to cut through a joist at an angle - sounds like hard work to which I am very allergic

I had our son Gary make some, he's a wood butcher (sorry joiner) and he cuts like a chain saw with a sharp new saw bless him.

Tony.

 

[Redline]

I had our son Gary make some, he's a wood butcher (sorry joiner) and he cuts like a chain saw with a sharp new saw bless him.

Tony.

He's hired

 

[Redline]

I don't like working under a car - full stop!

I don't like working - period!


A few years since I've done anything much with cars - I used to do all the maintenance including doing a full re-spray of a Mk1 Escort.
I just need a bigger garage now

 

[t-tony]

My issue is that it's a bus mans holiday for me.

Tony.

 

[Redline]

My issue is that it's a bus mans holiday for me.

Tony.

I often feel the same about websites and the internet after working on computers and using my brain (such that it is). Bashing a keyboard sometimes looses its fun at the end of the day.

 

[t-tony]

I can well sympathise Ian, after all they say a change is as good as a rest don't they?

Tony.

ps. BUGGER ......... it's Monday tomorrow.