Where should I put the jack plate on the floor jack to lift my 02 ES300? I want to put the jack stands where the car jack would go to support the car while I'm underneath. Any suggestions on placement of either would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

 

I can only tell you how I did it on my GS, but the concept is the same.

First, identify your OEM jack points in your O/M.

Get a flash light, and look around that area for and area close by with scuff marks on your undercoating of your car. This is the place where the dealership uses to jack your car.

This is also where you will uses your floor jack, NOT your OEM jack to lift the car.

The O/M locations are different than the Dealer locations. The trunk jack is fitted to specific areas.

I used the sequence of Front Passenger Side / Front Drivers Side / Rear (used the differential as the jacking point there.

Don't forget, you need to be on a lev el surface, and try to have someone around while you are jacking up the car and placing the stands.

One other thing to remember: after you identify where to jack the car, make sure you can put the stand next to the jack at the jack point - think about the jack and the jack stand trying to get access to the same jackpoint.

HTH

 

Thanks Dex, looks like that is what I will do, except the part about the rear differential. It wouldn't be necessary if the oil filter was in a better place...oil drips onto a plate to save it from going everywhere when removing the filter if the car is level.

 

If you put the weight of the car on the jack stands, then it may bend the guides for the scissors jack (the one in the trunk). It was suggested on this forum about 3 months back that a small 2x4 be placed on the jack stand. The guides will press in to the wood and not bend against the metal of the jack stand. I have not tried that yet.

I recently changed the oil in my 02 ES and found that you won't need to lift the car. If you do, you don't have to get under it. I used a floor jack and lifted from the center point between the front wheels. There is round protrusion that is intended for floor jacks. Even with your entire body out from under the car, the drain plug is within arms reach with a long socket wrench (FYI...14mm socket for the plug). The pan is a little slanted towards the back so most oil will go out. The filter is removed when standing in front of the car. Careful, don't singe your arm.

Word of note also, ramps work well. The standard set I have just clear the stock air dam of the 02 ES.

In any case, safer is always better.

steviej

 

Man, I can't believe its been 3 months already.

Anyway, I thought this would help - see how they place the lift pads along the frame rails?