I give up (on trying to use a hydraulic jack) -- WITH PIX
12-01-06, 08:37 AM
#16
If you can get a better pic right now, I can tell you where I put the jack. I have a huge craftsman shop jack, and never had a problem even remotely close to yours. You deffinatelly put the jack in the wrong place. If you can get me a pic from the bottom, so that I can see the back of your front tire, bottom of the side skirt, and the rails under the car. I can point it out to you. I don't use any of the gadgets shown above, just the jack, and it always works just fine. I do most of my maintenance and upgrades myself.
12-01-06, 08:55 AM
#17
Lexus Champion
Placing the jack under the crossmembers is a great idea, but for most of us here that have lowered the car it's not an option. I have a low profile 3" hydraulic jack that wont fit under my car be it the front or back. I usually jack the car up a bit with the stock scissor jack so that there is room to slide the hydraulic one under the crossmembers. After that, jack the car up and put it on jack stands. It's pretty troublesome but it's the only way to do it if your car is lowered. The only other easier way I can think of is to buy some ramps and jack up the car up from the crossmembers once you drive up on them.
12-01-06, 10:09 AM
#20
Moderator
Also, could someone please tell me where/what the cross member is? I assume it runs "across" the width of the car, as the name implies, but I've never had anyone point it out to me.
And one last thing. Is there anything wrong with using the stock scissors jack? I ended up using it last night and it worked just fine. Is it not safe?
e
And one last thing. Is there anything wrong with using the stock scissors jack? I ended up using it last night and it worked just fine. Is it not safe?
e
Incidentally the cross dimension of the base is wider to accomodate lift arc as you raise the car and storage wise, it is not a non issue.
Salim
12-01-06, 10:18 AM
#21
The easiest solution that I have ever come across for placement of jacks and jack stands is to use Hockey Pucks. No, you didn't read that wrong, Hockey Pucks. We used them to lift Porsche's when I used to work at the dealer, and I decided to keep them when I left. I use them to lift my GS and use the Jackstands in the notch that's available for them. I know it sounds silly, but it doesn't damage ANY part of the undercarriage of the GS. And considering that the GS is much less expensive than a $100k Porsche, I would assume that it is ok to do so. 
12-01-06, 10:56 AM
#23
Pole Position
Thread Starter
12-01-06, 10:59 AM
#24
Pole Position
Thread Starter
The easiest solution that I have ever come across for placement of jacks and jack stands is to use Hockey Pucks. No, you didn't read that wrong, Hockey Pucks. We used them to lift Porsche's when I used to work at the dealer, and I decided to keep them when I left. I use them to lift my GS and use the Jackstands in the notch that's available for them. I know it sounds silly, but it doesn't damage ANY part of the undercarriage of the GS. And considering that the GS is much less expensive than a $100k Porsche, I would assume that it is ok to do so.
Also, as for the jack stands, it seems like the support surface of the jackstand is too wide to place on the pinch weld area. It looks like it would come in contact with the side skirt.
12-01-06, 11:24 AM
#26
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Hey Slick. I know the rails you're talking about. There are two, and they run from just behind the front tires to just in front of the rear tires about 8-10 inches in from the side of the car. Here's the problem, though. If you look at the picture above, that's the rail that I smushed with the floor jack. The rail didn't bend when I lifted the front of the car, but when I went to lift the rear of the car on the same rail, it smushed right in.
12-01-06, 11:34 AM
#28
Pole Position
Thread Starter
I actually lifted all 4 corners last night (on the OEM location). But when I smushed the metal a few months ago, it was on that rail that runs 8 inches in and from just behind the front wheel to just in front of the rear wheel. Thanks for taking the time to snap some pictures. I appreciate it.
12-01-06, 01:04 PM
#30
I have low profile alumunum jacks that fit nicely under the notches under the body-even lowered. As often as I jack up the cars I have yet to have an issue. Now I have seen other Lexus's and can tell that the jacks were misplaced and resulted in damage as indicated above. Custom wood blocks work great as well if there is clearance.
Good topic OP.
Lee
Good topic OP.
Lee