E30 Zone

I know this might seem a simple one but, I am needing to remove all four wheels for refurb and have two pairs of axel stands to support car whilst they are away. I am under the impression that the car's jack points should not be used for supporting the wait of the car. Any help?
Ian

Support the car on the stands at the front on the main crossmember,and at the rear on the axle carrier bush mounts.Its easy to see when you get under.Dont use the so called jacking pads (these were used for moving the shell around the factory) or the jack will destroy the cars floor ! Its no harm to use some old rubber mats cut to size to prevent breaking underseal etc.

You'll be wanting this essential picture saved to your computer!



Don't know who made it, but stuff like this is bloody handy!

As you can see from that piccie,the 'wheel changing'points are fine for axle stands.
When I use them,I cut some scrap plywood to fit either side of the cill seam so that the wieght of the car is taken on the cill,not the seam.

When supporting a car on four axle stands, ensure that there is considerable weight on each stand.
On uneven ground, one stand can have very little weight on it, and can be knocked out of position without being noticed. This then leaves little pressure on the stand diametrically opposite, with the result that this can get dislodged as well. This leaves the car sitting on just two stands, which is far from ideal!

Brianmoooore wrote:When supporting a car on four axle stands, ensure that there is considerable weight on each stand.
On uneven ground, one stand can have very little weight on it, and can be knocked out of position without being noticed. This then leaves little pressure on the stand diametrically opposite, with the result that this can get dislodged as well. This leaves the car sitting on just two stands, which is far from ideal!

Good safety point and we would all do well to take note.
Depending on what you wish to do to your car whilst it is on four axle stands,one end could be supported via the suspension,thus allowing the springs to take up any uneveness in the ground.
No garrantee that the average domestic garage floor is level,either!

As said above, get it right or you'll regret it!

I'd recommend some wood on top of the stands to make sure that the load is spread, rather than it all being focused on the lips of the axle stands.