To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Using a high position screw jack stand to lift wheels off 4-post lift

Joined
Feb 17, 2013
Messages
10
I'm not sure how to describe what I'm thinking of doing.

I have a 4-post lift and primary work on Porsche 928's.

The 928 has a center lifting point between the rear wheels and another between the front wheels. This makes lifting the entire *** end or nose off the ground, then placing jack stands under the corner lifting points super easy.

I want to do the same with my 4-post lift. At first I figured the bottle jack tray would be perfect, but these cars are too low. There's only 6" between the lifting point and the floor of the bottle jack tray. I found a jack that fits, but doesn't go high enough, very cumbersome.

So here's what I'm thinking, buy one of these:
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200641746_200641746

Secure it under the rear or front lifting point, lower the lift which will raise the wheels off the lift floor. Then I can remove a wheel, and raise the lift up placing the corner jack points on a jack stand or some other type of "stand" so I can work on the suspension / brakes.

I know, they make hydraulic double jacks to work with my lift. For starters they are $650 and they are an inch or two short of reaching the factory jack points. It's not ideal but could work....that's plan C.

Thoughts?
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

pbon

Well-known member
Joined
May 14, 2017
Messages
3,498
There is a company that makes extensions for scissor jacks if you get to plan C. A tripod jack can lift a corner of your 928. Maybe one end if you get the balance right. Can you just put a low profile floor jack on the runner or is there not enough space given the lift and car width?
 
Last edited:

YOM1963

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 9, 2011
Messages
55
Location
MA
I have done "lower to lift" my cars with a 4 post and shorter jack stands, but I always use two close together set to max height to get the wheels off the ramp and two set as high as i can to hold to car up on the ramps. I would not use the tall stands to do this because any imbalance of the car on the stands would be amplified by the height of the stand (polar moment of inertia)
 

firebirdparts

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 8, 2016
Messages
10,666
Location
Kingsport, TN
they work fine, but they do want to walk. I mean they don't resist sideways motion much at all, and if you raise the whole back end, it'll take off on you.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

pbon

Well-known member
Joined
May 14, 2017
Messages
3,498
I bought the expensive rolling center jacks. Many buy only 1 and raise one end, insert jack stands, and then move it to the other end and either leave it there or insert jack stands and then roll it out of the way. I did not buy my lift to use jack stands but there may be occasions when using them gives me the access I need.
 

jpaw

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2018
Messages
525
Location
Michigan
You need to buy 2 pin type tripod stands and not a screw type for what you want to accomplish. Think of a standard jack stand. I have seen several of the screw type strip out over the years.
And please use 1 one on each side of the car and not 1 in the center.
 
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom