Makeshift jack pads?

[SteveYem]

Tomorrow morning I have access to a lift in a shop for installing a new midpipe. I have two jack pad adaptors and two more on order, which were supposed to arrive today but unfortunately are now delayed. I'm looking for ideas on what I can use in lieu of the two jack pad adaptors that I'll be missing. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

[M3SQRD]

Unsure what options there are but they should have the same thickness as the circular plate/pad.

I’ve actually used the NRW aluminum jack pads and never have to worry about jack pad adapters. His original version came with the ///M logo machined into the sides.

Tall version: https://www.nrw-design.com/products/...minum-jack-pad

Short version: https://www.nrw-design.com/products/...pr_seq=uniform

[hC1001]

I wouldnt bother with jack pad adapters unless the lift arms have some type of cup that would contact the underbody around the jack pads... If you are missing any jack pads, i would fix that issue first.

Some lifts have rubber blocks/pads. You can use small block of wood too if needed.

[SteveYem]

Originally Posted by hC1001

I wouldnt bother with jack pad adapters unless the lift arms have some type of cup that would contact the underbody around the jack pads... If you are missing any jack pads, i would fix that issue first.

Some lifts have rubber blocks/pads. You can use small block of wood too if needed.

I just realized my thread title is misleading. My car has all four of the original jack pads installed, but I only have two jack pad adaptors (puck things). Are you saying it's OK to rest the weight of the car directly on the ends of those plastic jack pads assuming that the lift has flat pads?

[FrankMstein]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

Unsure what options there are but they should have the same thickness as the circular plate/pad.

I’ve actually used the NRW aluminum jack pads and never have to worry about jack pad adapters. His original version came with the ///M logo machined into the sides.

Tall version: https://www.nrw-design.com/products/...minum-jack-pad

Short version: https://www.nrw-design.com/products/...pr_seq=uniform

Holy F! $$$!

[hC1001]

Originally Posted by SteveYem

I just realized my thread title is misleading. My car has all four of the original jack pads installed, but I only have two jack pad adaptors (puck things). Are you saying it's OK to rest the weight of the car directly on the ends of those plastic jack pads assuming that the lift has flat pads?

Nothing was misleading. Yes, its normal practice if you are using a standard two post lift. They usually have rubber pads on the ends of the arms that will lift from the plastic jack pad.

Jack pad adapters are needed for hydraulic jacks because they have those cups that can damage the under carriage and they lift the cars at an angle.

Automotive Lifts keep the car flat and balanced as it raises. As long as all 4 jack pads are installed, you can use them as lift points.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by FrankMstein

Holy F! $$$!

Its price isn’t bad if you have to buy 4 OEM jack pads (assuming they are damaged) + 4 jack pad adapters. I bought mine 5-6 years ago when he had planned on making these once. Price was a bit lower. However, with all of the new parts he offers, he had to raise their price. They’re great because taking the car to the dealership or to an Indy shop, the aluminum jack pads are always preinstalled. You don’t have to worry about whether a tech is going to install and use the jack pad adapters you have sitting in the car. A lot of techs are lazy and installing the adapters might be too much work for them

[hC1001]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

Its price isn’t bad if you have to buy 4 OEM jack pads (assuming they are damaged) + 4 jack pad adapters. I bought mine 5-6 years ago when he had planned on making these once. Price was a bit lower. However, with all of the new parts he offers, he had to raise their price. They’re great because taking the car to the dealership or to an Indy shop, the aluminum jack pads are always preinstalled. You don’t have to worry about whether a tech is going to install and use the jack pad adapters you have sitting in the car. A lot of techs are lazy and installing the adapters might be too much work for them

Jack pad adapters are not used.

[hC1001]

If the lift doesnt have rubber/polyurethane lift platforms, you can use hockey pucks. Its more for keeping the car from sliding off the lift points if the arm platform didnt have something grippy at the lift platforms. If you had to use a lot of force while wrenching or fitting a part, youll want something grippy inbetween.

Err hope that makes sense.

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by hC1001

Jack pad adapters are not used.

The jack pads can be damaged on shop lifts. You’re assuming all techs center the lift pads on the jack pads. They do not and I’ve had jack pads damaged by a lift. I’ve had full access to three BMW dealership service shops since 2003 and I’ve witnessed techs just barely engaging jack pads on lifts. Result = damaged jack pad. Also, if that’s true, you should be able to use most floor jacks without damaging the jack pads. Lastly, if your car is lowered and they can’t slide a lift arm under your car, a floor jack is used to lift your car up at one jack pad. I’d strongly recommend using adapters if you want undamaged jack pads.

Hockey pucks aren’t fail safe with all floor jacks.

[FrankMstein]

I got a quick jack and also the round pucks with rectangles but don't use now.

[hC1001]

Originally Posted by M3SQRD

The jack pads can be damaged on shop lifts. You’re assuming all techs center the lift pads on the jack pads. They do not and I’ve had jack pads damaged by a lift. I’ve had full access to three BMW dealership service shops since 2003 and I’ve witnessed techs just barely engaging jack pads on lifts. Result = damaged jack pad. Also, if that’s true, you should be able to use most floor jacks without damaging the jack pads. Lastly, if your car is lowered and they can’t slide a lift arm under your car, a floor jack is used to lift your car up at one jack pad. I’d strongly recommend using adapters if you want undamaged jack pads.

Hockey pucks aren’t fail safe with all floor jacks.

You are twisting my words.

I didnt say dont use a jack pad adapter. I said jack pads are not used at the dealership. I quoted your experience about techs being lazy and not installing the adapters sometimes. Im letting you know they dont use the adapters period. There is no instruction/training from BMW to use jack pad adapters.

And i did not say to use hockey pucks for a floor jack. This thread is all about lifting a car on a automotive lift. I said he can use pucks for the lift if they dont have rubber/polyurethane support platforms on the lift.

I clearly say "Jack pad adapters are needed for hydraulic jacks because they have those cups that can damage the under carriage and they lift the cars at an angle."


I agree with everything you are saying...

[Kilabyte]

The plastic jack pad slots can collapse if you don't use an adapter, some people do it anyways.

I simply use these cheapo adapters, I'm on my second set because I stuck velcro on the inside of the slot and the pad itself to keep in place when used....until you forget to take it out after the job is done

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...f_=as_li_ss_tl

[M3SQRD]

Originally Posted by hC1001

You are twisting my words.

I didnt say dont use a jack pad adapter. I said jack pads are not used at the dealership. I quoted your experience about techs being lazy and not installing the adapters sometimes. Im letting you know they dont use the adapters period. There is no instruction/training from BMW to use jack pad adapters.

And i did not say to use hockey pucks for a floor jack. This thread is all about lifting a car on a automotive lift. I said he can use pucks for the lift if they dont have rubber/polyurethane support platforms on the lift.

I clearly say "Jack pad adapters are needed for hydraulic jacks because they have those cups that can damage the under carriage and they lift the cars at an angle."


I agree with everything you are saying...

I clearly misinterpreted your original one sentence response. My bad.

I agree BMW doesn’t provide or train techs on the usage of adapters. My brother-in-law has been a BMW tech since 1993. He gets all kinds of crazy requests via the service advisor and using adapters is one of them. The BMW techs I know are car guys who use their own adapters (less lazy when it’s their own cars ). I was just stating jack pads can be damaged at/by a shop. Hell, cars falling off of a lift is usually the result of a lift arm barely making contact to a jack pad! I’d prefer a damaged jack pad over a damaged car any day

[louielouie]

I did the Tommy L Garage mod. Usually do my own maintenance and mods so this was a no brainer.

Those billet ones are sick though...