Bad experience with lifting the front end...
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Driver
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 126
Likes: 1
From: WA
I have a pair of ramps now, not sure the brand or the weight capacity. I'm not a very big guy, but I'm not sure if there's enough ground clearance even for me! And the width of the tires match the width of the ramp, including the little bump sides. I just don't know how safe that is.
I drive the front wheels onto these ramps I made from an 8' long 2 x 10:
Then I put my floor jack on the jacking point(s) and raise the car:
Finally, I put the jackstands under the jacking points for the scissors jack as shown in the diagram above.
I bought a couple of small pieces of 4" x 4" x 1/2" oak from Lowes to put on the jack. It prevents scratches and dents. I don't put anything on the jackstands, but I have thought it wouldn't be a bad idea. There are jackstands with simple flat tops and rubber pads which work very nicely for holding the car up on floor pan seams.
Then I put my floor jack on the jacking point(s) and raise the car:
Finally, I put the jackstands under the jacking points for the scissors jack as shown in the diagram above.
I bought a couple of small pieces of 4" x 4" x 1/2" oak from Lowes to put on the jack. It prevents scratches and dents. I don't put anything on the jackstands, but I have thought it wouldn't be a bad idea. There are jackstands with simple flat tops and rubber pads which work very nicely for holding the car up on floor pan seams.
Lexus Fanatic
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 13,441
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From: Under an IS F since 2008
Its in the Owners Manual people.... (I'm a slow poster)
But this post will help GREATLY
Edit:
Lance - We should make a Sticky on "How to Jack a Lexus IS"
I have worked on over a dozen IS's.. Never bent a rail yet.....
Also, below is another helpful PDF document from Javy!!!!
OEM VEHICLE LIFT AND SUPPORT LOCATIONS
But this post will help GREATLY
Edit:
Lance - We should make a Sticky on "How to Jack a Lexus IS"
I have worked on over a dozen IS's.. Never bent a rail yet.....
Also, below is another helpful PDF document from Javy!!!!
OEM VEHICLE LIFT AND SUPPORT LOCATIONS
Originally Posted by Joe Z
See my post below for more helpful info with jack points..
Also, below is another helpful PDF document from Javy!!!!
OEM VEHICLE LIFT AND SUPPORT LOCATIONS
Joe Z
Founds these pics using the search...
For the front, its a spot just in front of the oil pan.. for the rear, its the center of the rear differential..
This is what it looks like in the manual..
There is a spot for the 2WD and 4WD
Just be careful not to catch the oil pan..
Joe Z
For the front, its a spot just in front of the oil pan.. for the rear, its the center of the rear differential..
This is what it looks like in the manual..
There is a spot for the 2WD and 4WD
Just be careful not to catch the oil pan..
Joe Z
OEM VEHICLE LIFT AND SUPPORT LOCATIONSJoe Z
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: MA
So what do people do when the metal at the JACK position (4 corners) ends up bending? Is it safe to continue using the bent metal?
I looked at the recommended Jack position (based on the manual) and it seems too small for a hydraulic lift... to change tires / brakes / rotors, is it really safe to use that position?
I looked at the recommended Jack position (based on the manual) and it seems too small for a hydraulic lift... to change tires / brakes / rotors, is it really safe to use that position?
why don't you just jack it up from the frame of the car? I've changed oil on this car....24times and friend's IS 250 about 18 times. I've never jack the car from the side of the part you bent. They do look weak though...
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: MA
Sadly though, I looked under the car and two of the four corners are bent. (I only take my car to the stealership, so...). My main concern, though, is what if I am in a situation that I need to change the tires myself (flat, middle of no where). Is it really safe to use those bent metal points with the factory Jack ?
So what do people do when the metal at the JACK position (4 corners) ends up bending? Is it safe to continue using the bent metal?
I looked at the recommended Jack position (based on the manual) and it seems too small for a hydraulic lift... to change tires / brakes / rotors, is it really safe to use that position?
I looked at the recommended Jack position (based on the manual) and it seems too small for a hydraulic lift... to change tires / brakes / rotors, is it really safe to use that position?
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Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: MA
P.S. For the record, I did not bend them as I haven't lifted the car from that point (as of yet). [stealer-ship are the only ones]
Next time Im using rhino ramps as bichon said.
I used the cheap steel ramps and they shotout like an angry **** after I changed my exhausts. Good thing it didn't hit my wife's RSX.
There were some damage under my rear bumper and it probably broke a clip or 2.
I still don't know what happen when I came off the ramp slowly. Maybe I stepped on the gas a bit too hard? I felt a loud metal banging sound and my car dropped... it was a scary experience.
To be safe, I'll use snow mode to come off the ramp next time.
Or I'll use the jack and stands with the modded adapter as lobuxracer posted
I used the cheap steel ramps and they shotout like an angry **** after I changed my exhausts. Good thing it didn't hit my wife's RSX.
There were some damage under my rear bumper and it probably broke a clip or 2.
I still don't know what happen when I came off the ramp slowly. Maybe I stepped on the gas a bit too hard? I felt a loud metal banging sound and my car dropped... it was a scary experience.
To be safe, I'll use snow mode to come off the ramp next time.
Or I'll use the jack and stands with the modded adapter as lobuxracer posted
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 598
Likes: 21
From: California
As mentioned, Rhino ramps are fine. I do love my Race Ramps though. I use the 56" ones on my sport cars as well as the IS. Since I bought mine they now even have ramps where after the car is up on the top, one can remove the ramp. Give more accessabilty to the under side of the car.
As for bending the underneath of the car? You should see what my dealership did to my car on it's first oil change. I now do all the work myself.
As for bending the underneath of the car? You should see what my dealership did to my car on it's first oil change. I now do all the work myself.
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