Jacking unibody vehicles

[smackey05]

When possible, I use (race) ramps to get the car in the air. If not, I either use a 2x4 to help spread the load, or use a hockey puck like others have done.

 

[Vwpower]

You're going to run into 3 scenarios when lifting:

Scenario 1:

My A3 TDI (Audi) had factory lift points, (as well as pinch weld points) into which I installed some adapters from ECS tuning. These points are not designed though as single jack points..they are there for hoists where all four pads are loaded more or less equally!! You can cause damage if used otherwise.



Scenario 2:

Our CRV I lift from the rear trailing arm (where it attaches to the body) and under the front running boards where a lift point is specified after you install the running boards. So you can lift in that situation like you would any truck, from the frame.

On our Highlander, the only practical lift points are at the factory lift points (pinch welds) so I use these metal "pads" with integrated magnets, as well as the urethane "hockey" puck lift pads. Our LEAF EV is fully clad underneath with aero panels so again, you are restricted to lifting from the factory pinch weld jack pads. Keeping this free of rust in our region is very important as once they are rusted out, you are snookered for lifting without a complicated repair.



Once the car is up, you can always put a jack stand under the suspension points (A arm, trailing arm) typically where they mount to the body. You need to pay attention here as you don't want the stand under the suspension itself.

To be honest, I find having a two post hoist infinitely safer than a floor jack/stands as the vehicle is always being pulled sideways as you jack up...which in turn can create a dangerous situation with just one corner up on stand...particularly if you then jack up the other side. With a hoist, you're loading all four corners at the same time...

Lol. I do it incorrectly.

 

[Denwood]

I had a good look at the structure around those lift points, so I can understand why Audi suggests using them together (all four on a hoist). When you lift only from one point only you are putting a lot of stress on it, particularly as the angle increases between the body and jack cup. This was on a 2010 A3, so perhaps those chassis lift points saw some more structure on later models…

 

[pl_silverado]

The performance of the V6 ST version makes up for it The '22's have several features deleted owing to the chip shortage

With that said, there are reliability issues, but as with anything the people who have issues go on line & ***** about it... & the people who don't have any issues don't, so it skews the numbers. One guy just got his back earlier this week after an engine replacement & promptly hit a deer two days later. Tuners are getting 800hp from them

Small world. I know the guy that hit the deer.