[petahbread]

Recently I've done some maintenance on my 2014 M3 and I could not get my floor jack to lift the vehicle from the jack point in the front middle because the vehicle is low and I figured my jack isn't long enough? I can jack the side up no problem, but then I wouldn't be able to get a jack stand under the jack point.

So, I wanted to ask the community.

What type of jack do you use?

 

[Squisher]

I've only had mine up on ramps once for its 1st oil change but when I needed to lift my last low car I'd drive it up onto boards 1st so my normal/standard type floor Jack could reach around underneath easier.

 

[AD13]

I bought a new jack just so I could lift my car from the front crossmember. I dont know about the 3rd gens, but on the 2nd generation cars it is really far back. After lowering the car, i need to drive one side onto a block of wood.

 

[Credits]

I use the 3 ton from Harbor Freight. Works great with a piece of wood in the middle cut out to fit the pinch weld. If I don't it will bend under the weight of the car. Works great and keeps the unibody straight. The stock height is high enough to fit most floor jacks.

The thing that sucks is that most aren't long enough to reach the harder structure points underneath the car. Since there is a lot of plastic underneath the car, it's a little more difficult to do it.

Most ramps sold at the local auto stores need the extension since we have much more overhang because of the long front end, it'll scrape from my experience.

 

[pete_89t2]

Hey "Credits", is this the same HF jack that you're using?

3 ton Low Profile Steel Heavy Duty Floor Jack with Rapid Pump®

If so, then I may need to pick up a longer floor jack... I've been using this jack for years on my RX7 and other cars, and its always been long & low enough to reach the X-member jacking points. Haven't used it on my '14 3S GT yet.

BTW, be careful using the wood adapter you made to get around the pinch weld problem. Even a good hardwood like oak can split without warning, which can get someone hurt or damage the car.

What I did to avoid that issue is fabricate my adapters out of 1"X1" solid aluminum stock, about 2-1/2" long, and then cut a slot through the center of it on one face that is 1/4" wide by 5/8" deep. Works fine on all the cars I have, and based on a quick test fit, looks like it will work fine on the 3S as well. The AL stock is plenty strong, but soft enough that it won't damage the car. Also easy enough to cut the slot with standard DIY tools - I cut my slots by drilling a series of overlapping holes, then cleaned it up with a Dremel cutter.

 

[Squisher]

For those jacking at the pinch welds where do you put your jack stands?

What I meant before was driving both tires onto blocks of wood(say both fronts). Than with my old 350z I could reach under to a good jacking point.


Im in Canada but my ramps from the local auto called "pro ramp" work fine. At stock height my 3 could drive right up without scraping or any additional pieces of wood or anything.

 

[mazdaspeedmyk]

@petahbread and @pete_89t2, that's the low profile jack I use. I have to place two 2x4s under the driver's side wheel to get it high enough for me to skootch the jack under there.

 

[pete_89t2]

For those jacking at the pinch welds where do you put your jack stands?

The only time I jack from the pinch welds is if I'm stuck at the side of the road with a flat tire, using the OEM scissor jack. Typically I find it much easier to jack up the entire front or rear of the car via the cross member jacking points, and put the jack stands at the pinch welds or frame rails or other hard point as applicable. From the 2014 Mazda 3 FSM, here's a diagram of the cross member jacking points:

@petahbread and @pete_89t2, that's the low profile jack I use. I have to place two 2x4s under the driver's side wheel to get it high enough for me to skootch the jack under there.

That's good to know. I have to drive my RX7 onto a couple of 2X blocks as well to clear the front lip spoiler; haven't tried it yet with my '14 3S, but figured it should work.

 

[Squisher]

That's where I would Jack too and place the car on stands at the pinch welds. I was wondering then why someone would Jack at the pinch welds? Just for swapping a tire I guess? I wouldn't work under a car or even in a wheel well without a stand in place, but that's just me. I worry, lol.

 

[pete_89t2]

Besides the roadside tire change scenario, the only time you would want to jack from the pinch weld points is when you have a 2 or 4 post shop lift. In that case, the safety stand & jacking points are one in the same.

I agree that I'd never get under a car without proper jack stands supporting it. Ramps are OK too, but they have their limitations.

 

[Squisher]

Yah I get nervous. My FIL had his face/head crushed a bit from a car coming off a jack, left a lasting impression. Better safe than crushed.

 

[tastic]

Once I had a garage and got a second low pro jack, I no longer need the boards I used to require under the front wheels. Much easier to do a few different jacking requirements with the second floor jack. Getting the car fully up on 4 stands is much faster for me now. (That's not saying that much...I'm a bit of a train wreck in the garage most days lol)

 

[Credits]

Hey "Credits", is this the same HF jack that you're using?

3 ton Low Profile Steel Heavy Duty Floor Jack with Rapid Pump®

If so, then I may need to pick up a longer floor jack... I've been using this jack for years on my RX7 and other cars, and its always been long & low enough to reach the X-member jacking points. Haven't used it on my '14 3S GT yet.

BTW, be careful using the wood adapter you made to get around the pinch weld problem. Even a good hardwood like oak can split without warning, which can get someone hurt or damage the car.

What I did to avoid that issue is fabricate my adapters out of 1"X1" solid aluminum stock, about 2-1/2" long, and then cut a slot through the center of it on one face that is 1/4" wide by 5/8" deep. Works fine on all the cars I have, and based on a quick test fit, looks like it will work fine on the 3S as well. The AL stock is plenty strong, but soft enough that it won't damage the car. Also easy enough to cut the slot with standard DIY tools - I cut my slots by drilling a series of overlapping holes, then cleaned it up with a Dremel cutter.

Yep that's the one I use. Good remarks on the adapter! I'll have to try that out. Once I have time in the summer, I think building wood ramps to raise the car a bit for me to be able to slide the jack under would be the best bet.

I honestly don't like using the pinch welds but I just don't have a long enough floor jack to do it lol. I'm really liking the step idea to be able to put the jack under.

 

[mvftw]

I bought Rhino Ramps...worked great...

 

[petahbread]

I bought Rhino Ramps...worked great...

Had RhinoRamps from Amazon.com, used them once, and they bent. I must've gotten a defective one. But I don't think I'll order them again because it's not worth my life.

 

[GirchyGirchy]

For oil changes I have Rhino ramps. For other repairs I use a Blackhawk BH6026, a 2-1/2 ton quick lift. It works well.

 

[BIGDOC]

I use ramps also for oil changes and for heavy work

 

[fzbob]

I find these the easiest to use (lazy..lol)

 

[pete_89t2]

I find these the easiest to use (lazy..lol)

I like those ramps - looks like they have a shallow approach angle so our lowriders can get up on them, but also look like they get the car up a bit higher than the other ramps I've used. Where did you find them? Please share details brand, cost, where to buy, etc.

 

[fzbob]

I like those ramps - looks like they have a shallow approach angle so our lowriders can get up on them, but also look like they get the car up a bit higher than the other ramps I've used. Where did you find them? Please share details brand, cost, where to buy, etc.

TBO. I do have a pair of these shallow type ramps, but I acquired them from my late father-in-law. I actually took the picture from the below site, as I couldn't be bothered to take a picture of mine..lol

Low Profile Car Lifting Ramps, SuperSalesUK

But these are exactly the same as mine
unfortunately they are from the UK, I would've thought you could get some like it in the US though. If you looked around.