Thanks for this. I have just replaced a speed sensor on my BMW X3 which is just behind the wheel arch. My BMW jack came crashing down and fortunately I had placed a concrete block under the car just in case. If not I could have been crushed if I had relied solely on the car jack as the wheel was off. Yes, I now know that one should not work under the car with only a jack for support. I took the failed jack into my local BMW dealership and the service manager was not interested at all in my failed jack. He told me that he would send it away for analysis at my cost. The thread had stripped on the thimble and the jack just collapsed. I am stating all this just to remind all who read here not to trust the scissor jack provided by the hem.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience! Really good to hear you didn't get hurt. I had a similar experience years ago when using the emergency kit jack, scary stuff! Take heed and BE CAREFUL OUT THERE PEOPLE! I will pin your comment to the top of the board. Thanks, Phil
Thank you! I was struggling to find a way to use a trolley jack on my Mercedes because of the under trays. I didn't realise there was a specific point. This information has made my day!
*Just one major correction needed ...when tightening the wheel nuts at the end you should always tighten in DIAGONAL TO THE NUT and never the nut next to it ....*
Yep, a really good Jack and jack / axle stands to go with it would be a good investment. I have been using my current ones for at least 15yrs now. Easier lifts and safer too. You don't have to spend silly money to get a good one. Happy shopping if you decide to buy! Cheers, Phil
Hi NJD, it's a fair question! I'll answer but first let me explain a little... I have done lots of Car DIY videos (100+) and many of them start with getting your car onto Axle / Jack stands. This is an important step but I didn't want to show it over and over again. So, I created this video for people who are about to carry out maintenance on their vehicles and I refer to it in my other DIY videos. Back to your question: There are many different designs of the small portable car jack and it is impossible for me to to show them all in one video. My recommendation is for you to go get your car tool kit jack out and see how it works. That way you will know straight away should you ever need it. They will almost always jack up on the sill / pinch weld on the car. Some cars have a special plastic stop just under the car that the jack fits into. If you have it, the owner's manual will almost always explain how the jack works and where the jacking point is. Bear in mind many modern cars have run flat tyres and no jack. If this is the case, drive slowly (usually max 50mph) to the tyre shop or home. Some cars have tyre inflators and no jack etc. Hope this helps! Thanks, Phil
@@ReviveMyRide Thanks Phil - my interest was aroused yesterday when I decided to replace the air filtters on my partner's 2913 Audi and I dropped a screwdriver part down the car. I was parked on grass. I thought about jacking it up to get the plastic under sheet off and then looked around for a jacking point and unlike my 1978 mini it was not obvious so I had a look on the web for jacking points and came across your video. I appreciated your video but was wondering about a road puncture.
@@njd2342 No probs at all, I can understand the question. Yep, as mentioned above the tools kits for just about all "modern cars" have a jack for the sill or with an attachment that goes into plastic block close to the sill. The location for the road side / tool kit jack is show at 2:40 In hindsight, I should have at least show the toolkit jack! Thanks, Phil
@njd2342 I think the answer you wanted is whether or not you can jack your car up on the side of the road with the scissor jack(normally) provided in the boot and change the tyre? In which case if you're efficient and quick, yes. This can be done and has been done millions of times over with no repercussions. One thing I would mention would be take your spare out before jacking and as soon as the car is jacked up slide the spare under the sill/pinch weld. Once the old/punctured tyre has been removed place that under the car and fit the spare, swap them over so to speak. Obviously remove it before lowering and you should be fine. Scissor jacks can be dangerous but if used correctly, and as long as they don't fail, changing a tyre is wel within their capabilities.
You show an Audi and then say BMW.....which is it? I need it for an A4 and I cant seem to find a safe spot on the cross member so I can put the jack stand under the pinch weld.
Hi, yes, sorry, it is a “generic” video, so I try to show examples on a few different vehicles. One of my favourite places to jack up at the front is where the lower rear suspension arm meets the subframe, I actually put my jack onto the joint of the suspension arm (that houses the rubber bush) where it bolts to the subframe. This area is super strong and the shape of the bush / joint fits into the dish on the trolley jack, so I know it is secure and can’t slip out. Hope that helps! If in any doubt, find a friend or work colleague “car person” and ask them, most people will be super helpful when they know you are asking to try to stay safe. Cheers, Phil
Hi Jack, depending on what car you have, you can jack at front of the car in the middle of the cross member. If it is intended as a jacking point, you will often see a rubber or plastic pad fixed to the cross member, see 2:00 in the video for examples on BMW and Merc cars. If you are jacking up at the rear of the car, I like to use the rear differential. When doing this, I put a rubber disc / pad on the jack as a bit of extra protection for the diff. Hope this helps but if in any doubt, ask around and see if anyone you know has experience of this and can show you for the first time you do it. Thanks, Phil
@@jackbeames7643 Sorry for the slow reply! I didn't get a notification for your comment for some reason and just found your question when browsing in my comments area... Glad you got on ok with the job, the Fiesta is a nice little car! Cheers, Phil
Putting axle stands on suspension parts?! My last job was an anti rollbar replacement, so I had to do the job using the jack only,as I couldn't see where to place an axle stand without fouling the job. Secondly, it would be nice if British car DIY videos would use a vehicle not German,just occasionally.
Hi, 90% of the time when I’m working on a car, I jack up (using a trolley jack) on the centre of the front cross member or on the rear diff. This then leaves the normal jacking points on the sills, near the wheels, free for placing the axle stands. You can get sill adaptors that fit onto you axle stands, to help prevent damage to the sills. My advice: if you can’t find where to place the axle stands, don’t do the job until you find out where / how, it’ll catch you out one day… Hope that helps you some! I only work on my own cars, 4 of which are German (just worked out that way!) but I do have a British car (a TVR), which I’ll try to feature more often but it has very specific jacking requirements (being a body on frame car), so not very useful for most people! Thanks, Phil
HI,im going to doing a brake job soon on my 320D this is the first time i do this on bmw,i want to ask about where i can put the axle stands coz i see you in the video you put the stand under your suspension system but im not sure where is it and im dont want to take a wild guess so could you able to tell me where is it,in any other of my old car it can easily just put the stand at the side jacking point so im lost lol,thank you
Hi, you are exactly right, on your BMW, the side jacking point on the sill is the best place for the axle stand. On BMW's & Mercs, there is a central position underneath the cross member for the trolley jack and this leaves the side jacking points available for axle stands. The reason I show using the suspension arm mounting point in the video is because on some other cars, there isn't a good jacking point on the cross member, which means you have to use the side jacking point for the jack. As the jacking point is already in use, you have to find somewhere else for the axle stand (Hence, the suspension arm where it mounts to the underneath of the car). I am assuming your car is an E90, if so, there is a great write up with images that you should check out on Pelican parts: www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/BMW-3-Series-E90/BASICS-Jacking_Up_Your_Vehicle/BASICS-Jacking_Up_Your_Vehicle.htm Make sure you take the other precautions: Don't reach under the car until it is fully supported, leave the jack in place (with a slight amount of tension on it) during the job, once you remove it, place the wheel under the car for extra security. Hope that helps! Phil
If I want to service my transmission, don't have access to a lift, will I do it with one axle stand or do I need the car to be level all four wheels off the ground? If its the latter how do I get all four stands under without the car being off balance? It's an A3 s-tronic
Hi, I would recommend 4 axle stands and having the car level. I would start at the front: you can jack up first one side, place the axle stand and then do the same on the other side. Then, once the front is supported, you can jack up the rear centrally from the diff, this will allow you to lift the car evenly at the rear without disturbing the front axle stands but this does require the use of the trolley jack, as it will allow you to roll the jack in from behind the car and jack it up without going under the car. As it is a fairly long job, I would recommend removing the front two wheels (loosen wheel nuts before jacking up the front) and sliding them under the car for extra protection. Also, with them removed, it will be easier for you to access the underneath of the car. You can use a spirit level under the sill of the car to get an idea of how level it is. I'm not sure of your experience level, so please remeber that safety is no.1 If in any doubt at all, don't go under the car and consider calling in a favour from someone who has done it before to check your set up. Hope this helps, if you have any further questions based on the above, please ask away! Thanks, Phil
Hi, sorry, I don't have an email linked to this channel. If you have a question about the video though, please go ahead and ask on here and I will answer if I can! thanks, RMR
@@ReviveMyRide I need help properly placing a jack under my van in the correct jacking points and the same for jack stands, are you able to help me with that?
@@angeloyourreflection9331 Happy to try to help! Can you tell me, are you jacking up the front or the rear of the van? What job are you planning to do? What kind of jack were you planning to use? Cheers
@@ReviveMyRide Good Afternoon! Thank you very much for wanting to help me out, im using a floor jack, im trying to jack up the entire van with 4 jack stands, as for now all i need help with is how to properly and safely place the floor jack & 4 jack stands under my 2003 Dodge Caravan. SE
@@angeloyourreflection9331 Hi, every car is different, so it depends on what you have access to. Starting at the front: I like to jack in the middle of the front on the cross member / subframe but if you can't see it because of an engine undertray, then you can jack up one side of the front of the car, put it on a jack stand and then go do the other side. If jacking one side and then the other, I like to jack on the "pinch weld" just behind the front tyre (but note in my video, I used an adaptor on the floor jack to avoid damaging the pinch weld). Regarding jack stand placement, I usually use a point where the suspension arm (coming from the wheel) meets the subframe, usually there will be a big bolt here. I found a video where someone jacks up and supports the front of their Dodge caravan. Hopefully this link works: ua-cam.com/video/13uS2x7h5B0/v-deo.html Regrading the rear of the car, I usually jack at the centre of the rear axle on the diff and then again, I place the jack stand where the subframe is bolted to the underside of the car or on one of the suspension arms, where it meets the subframe. However, be aware that you don't want the jack stand in the middle of a suspension arm because a lot of them are Aluminum and not designed to take that sort of load, also don't place your jack stand just under the car body (on the standard sheet metal), it won't be strong enough either. I found this useful bog that features your vehicle, hope it helps! asspd.blogspot.com/2020/03/2007-dodge-grand-caravan-floor-jack.html If you are still in any doubt at all, I would find someone experienced who can show you exactly where on your vehicle to jack and support and then you know you will be safe. It might take a little bit more time but worth it. Cheers, RMR
Hi, if you are working on a front wishbone, then you will need to jack in the middle of the car under the cross member as shown in the video at 2:00 and then you can place the jack / axle stand on the jacking point on the sill / pinch weld. You can get various styles of rubber / plastic adaptors that make it easier to support the car on sill / pinch weld. Like this one amzn.to/2RnpXhG (but you need to check that it will fit your axle stand). I hope this helps, any questions please ask! If in any doubt, don't risk going under the car and try to find someone who can show you in person! Thanks, Phil
THIS VID MAY INTEREST YOU! - Car Slow Starting? - How to TEST a Car Battery Using a Multimeter ua-cam.com/video/FCx1hm0rWEk/v-deo.html
Thanks for this. I have just replaced a speed sensor on my BMW X3 which is just behind the wheel arch. My BMW jack came crashing down and fortunately I had placed a concrete block under the car just in case. If not I could have been crushed if I had relied solely on the car jack as the wheel was off. Yes, I now know that one should not work under the car with only a jack for support. I took the failed jack into my local BMW dealership and the service manager was not interested at all in my failed jack. He told me that he would send it away for analysis at my cost. The thread had stripped on the thimble and the jack just collapsed. I am stating all this just to remind all who read here not to trust the scissor jack provided by the hem.
Thanks for taking the time to share your experience! Really good to hear you didn't get hurt. I had a similar experience years ago when using the emergency kit jack, scary stuff! Take heed and BE CAREFUL OUT THERE PEOPLE! I will pin your comment to the top of the board. Thanks, Phil
That's why they call those types of jacks widowmakers. Scary stuff
I’m a firefighter and we had a fatal in exactly this situation last year. A few weeks before Christmas. It can happen.
Thank you! I was struggling to find a way to use a trolley jack on my Mercedes because of the under trays. I didn't realise there was a specific point. This information has made my day!
Great stuff, glad it helped you! Yeah, it's kind of hidden on the Merc... 👍 Thanks for commenting! 😀
Wheel nuts should be tightened in a cross cross pattern.
Good to see a torque wrench being used correctly.
Thanks, Yes, you’re right about the bolts, my bad! Cheers, Regarding the torque wrench, people should use them more!
Thank you for taking the time to make and share this video.
No probs at all, glad it helped you! 👍😎
I thought this was Jim browning lol
Its his mechanical brother
I was just trying to place his voice!
The sill is called the pinch weld in the U S.
*Just one major correction needed ...when tightening the wheel nuts at the end you should always tighten in DIAGONAL TO THE NUT and never the nut next to it ....*
That’s a good point! I normally do it that way, not sure why I forgot on this occasion but thanks for highlighting it! 👍
I need to invest in a shop Jack. All I have is a trolly Jack. Gotta make do with it for my oil changes.
Yep, a really good Jack and jack / axle stands to go with it would be a good investment. I have been using my current ones for at least 15yrs now. Easier lifts and safer too. You don't have to spend silly money to get a good one. Happy shopping if you decide to buy! Cheers, Phil
All good but what happens when I have a puncture and am on the side of the road with only the tools in the back?
Hi NJD, it's a fair question! I'll answer but first let me explain a little... I have done lots of Car DIY videos (100+) and many of them start with getting your car onto Axle / Jack stands. This is an important step but I didn't want to show it over and over again. So, I created this video for people who are about to carry out maintenance on their vehicles and I refer to it in my other DIY videos. Back to your question: There are many different designs of the small portable car jack and it is impossible for me to to show them all in one video. My recommendation is for you to go get your car tool kit jack out and see how it works. That way you will know straight away should you ever need it. They will almost always jack up on the sill / pinch weld on the car. Some cars have a special plastic stop just under the car that the jack fits into. If you have it, the owner's manual will almost always explain how the jack works and where the jacking point is. Bear in mind many modern cars have run flat tyres and no jack. If this is the case, drive slowly (usually max 50mph) to the tyre shop or home. Some cars have tyre inflators and no jack etc. Hope this helps! Thanks, Phil
@@ReviveMyRide Thanks Phil - my interest was aroused yesterday when I decided to replace the air filtters on my partner's 2913 Audi and I dropped a screwdriver part down the car. I was parked on grass. I thought about jacking it up to get the plastic under sheet off and then looked around for a jacking point and unlike my 1978 mini it was not obvious so I had a look on the web for jacking points and came across your video. I appreciated your video but was wondering about a road puncture.
@@njd2342 No probs at all, I can understand the question. Yep, as mentioned above the tools kits for just about all "modern cars" have a jack for the sill or with an attachment that goes into plastic block close to the sill. The location for the road side / tool kit jack is show at 2:40 In hindsight, I should have at least show the toolkit jack! Thanks, Phil
@njd2342 I think the answer you wanted is whether or not you can jack your car up on the side of the road with the scissor jack(normally) provided in the boot and change the tyre?
In which case if you're efficient and quick, yes. This can be done and has been done millions of times over with no repercussions. One thing I would mention would be take your spare out before jacking and as soon as the car is jacked up slide the spare under the sill/pinch weld. Once the old/punctured tyre has been removed place that under the car and fit the spare, swap them over so to speak. Obviously remove it before lowering and you should be fine. Scissor jacks can be dangerous but if used correctly, and as long as they don't fail, changing a tyre is wel within their capabilities.
Wheel lug should’ve been tightened in a star pattern.
Thanks! I forgot all about that but you are right!
If you want to get really picky with a torque wrench you're supposed to hold it from one end. 😉
Tightened & untightened!!
You show an Audi and then say BMW.....which is it? I need it for an A4 and I cant seem to find a safe spot on the cross member so I can put the jack stand under the pinch weld.
Hi, yes, sorry, it is a “generic” video, so I try to show examples on a few different vehicles. One of my favourite places to jack up at the front is where the lower rear suspension arm meets the subframe, I actually put my jack onto the joint of the suspension arm (that houses the rubber bush) where it bolts to the subframe. This area is super strong and the shape of the bush / joint fits into the dish on the trolley jack, so I know it is secure and can’t slip out. Hope that helps! If in any doubt, find a friend or work colleague “car person” and ask them, most people will be super helpful when they know you are asking to try to stay safe. Cheers, Phil
My jacking points are covered by my aftermarket side skirts. What’s best way to jack it up
Hi Jack, depending on what car you have, you can jack at front of the car in the middle of the cross member. If it is intended as a jacking point, you will often see a rubber or plastic pad fixed to the cross member, see 2:00 in the video for examples on BMW and Merc cars. If you are jacking up at the rear of the car, I like to use the rear differential. When doing this, I put a rubber disc / pad on the jack as a bit of extra protection for the diff. Hope this helps but if in any doubt, ask around and see if anyone you know has experience of this and can show you for the first time you do it. Thanks, Phil
@@ReviveMyRide hi I have fiesta st I’ve done it all now. Thanks though
@@jackbeames7643 Sorry for the slow reply! I didn't get a notification for your comment for some reason and just found your question when browsing in my comments area... Glad you got on ok with the job, the Fiesta is a nice little car! Cheers, Phil
Putting axle stands on suspension parts?!
My last job was an anti rollbar replacement, so I had to do the job using the jack only,as I couldn't see where to place an axle stand without fouling the job.
Secondly, it would be nice if British car DIY videos would use a vehicle not German,just occasionally.
Hi, 90% of the time when I’m working on a car, I jack up (using a trolley jack) on the centre of the front cross member or on the rear diff. This then leaves the normal jacking points on the sills, near the wheels, free for placing the axle stands. You can get sill adaptors that fit onto you axle stands, to help prevent damage to the sills. My advice: if you can’t find where to place the axle stands, don’t do the job until you find out where / how, it’ll catch you out one day… Hope that helps you some! I only work on my own cars, 4 of which are German (just worked out that way!) but I do have a British car (a TVR), which I’ll try to feature more often but it has very specific jacking requirements (being a body on frame car), so not very useful for most people! Thanks, Phil
HI,im going to doing a brake job soon on my 320D this is the first time i do this on bmw,i want to ask about where i can put the axle stands coz i see you in the video you put the stand under your suspension system but im not sure where is it and im dont want to take a wild guess so could you able to tell me where is it,in any other of my old car it can easily just put the stand at the side jacking point so im lost lol,thank you
Hi, you are exactly right, on your BMW, the side jacking point on the sill is the best place for the axle stand. On BMW's & Mercs, there is a central position underneath the cross member for the trolley jack and this leaves the side jacking points available for axle stands. The reason I show using the suspension arm mounting point in the video is because on some other cars, there isn't a good jacking point on the cross member, which means you have to use the side jacking point for the jack. As the jacking point is already in use, you have to find somewhere else for the axle stand (Hence, the suspension arm where it mounts to the underneath of the car). I am assuming your car is an E90, if so, there is a great write up with images that you should check out on Pelican parts: www.pelicanparts.com/BMW/techarticles/BMW-3-Series-E90/BASICS-Jacking_Up_Your_Vehicle/BASICS-Jacking_Up_Your_Vehicle.htm Make sure you take the other precautions: Don't reach under the car until it is fully supported, leave the jack in place (with a slight amount of tension on it) during the job, once you remove it, place the wheel under the car for extra security. Hope that helps! Phil
If I want to service my transmission, don't have access to a lift, will I do it with one axle stand or do I need the car to be level all four wheels off the ground?
If its the latter how do I get all four stands under without the car being off balance?
It's an A3 s-tronic
Hi, I would recommend 4 axle stands and having the car level. I would start at the front: you can jack up first one side, place the axle stand and then do the same on the other side. Then, once the front is supported, you can jack up the rear centrally from the diff, this will allow you to lift the car evenly at the rear without disturbing the front axle stands but this does require the use of the trolley jack, as it will allow you to roll the jack in from behind the car and jack it up without going under the car. As it is a fairly long job, I would recommend removing the front two wheels (loosen wheel nuts before jacking up the front) and sliding them under the car for extra protection. Also, with them removed, it will be easier for you to access the underneath of the car. You can use a spirit level under the sill of the car to get an idea of how level it is. I'm not sure of your experience level, so please remeber that safety is no.1 If in any doubt at all, don't go under the car and consider calling in a favour from someone who has done it before to check your set up. Hope this helps, if you have any further questions based on the above, please ask away! Thanks, Phil
Good Afternoon! Do you have an email address so i can get in contact with you?
Hi, sorry, I don't have an email linked to this channel. If you have a question about the video though, please go ahead and ask on here and I will answer if I can! thanks, RMR
@@ReviveMyRide I need help properly placing a jack under my van in the correct jacking points and the same for jack stands, are you able to help me with that?
@@angeloyourreflection9331 Happy to try to help! Can you tell me, are you jacking up the front or the rear of the van? What job are you planning to do? What kind of jack were you planning to use? Cheers
@@ReviveMyRide Good Afternoon! Thank you very much for wanting to help me out, im using a floor jack, im trying to jack up the entire van with 4 jack stands, as for now all i need help with is how to properly and safely place the floor jack & 4 jack stands under my 2003 Dodge Caravan. SE
@@angeloyourreflection9331 Hi, every car is different, so it depends on what you have access to. Starting at the front: I like to jack in the middle of the front on the cross member / subframe but if you can't see it because of an engine undertray, then you can jack up one side of the front of the car, put it on a jack stand and then go do the other side. If jacking one side and then the other, I like to jack on the "pinch weld" just behind the front tyre (but note in my video, I used an adaptor on the floor jack to avoid damaging the pinch weld). Regarding jack stand placement, I usually use a point where the suspension arm (coming from the wheel) meets the subframe, usually there will be a big bolt here. I found a video where someone jacks up and supports the front of their Dodge caravan. Hopefully this link works: ua-cam.com/video/13uS2x7h5B0/v-deo.html
Regrading the rear of the car, I usually jack at the centre of the rear axle on the diff and then again, I place the jack stand where the subframe is bolted to the underside of the car or on one of the suspension arms, where it meets the subframe. However, be aware that you don't want the jack stand in the middle of a suspension arm because a lot of them are Aluminum and not designed to take that sort of load, also don't place your jack stand just under the car body (on the standard sheet metal), it won't be strong enough either. I found this useful bog that features your vehicle, hope it helps! asspd.blogspot.com/2020/03/2007-dodge-grand-caravan-floor-jack.html
If you are still in any doubt at all, I would find someone experienced who can show you exactly where on your vehicle to jack and support and then you know you will be safe. It might take a little bit more time but worth it. Cheers, RMR
But I’m removing my wishbone
Hi, if you are working on a front wishbone, then you will need to jack in the middle of the car under the cross member as shown in the video at 2:00 and then you can place the jack / axle stand on the jacking point on the sill / pinch weld. You can get various styles of rubber / plastic adaptors that make it easier to support the car on sill / pinch weld. Like this one amzn.to/2RnpXhG (but you need to check that it will fit your axle stand). I hope this helps, any questions please ask! If in any doubt, don't risk going under the car and try to find someone who can show you in person! Thanks, Phil
@@ReviveMyRide Thanks Phil very helpful advice 👍
Anyone who needs to be told how to jack up a car has no business working on it.
Lmao were you born with that information already disposed to you in your brain?
@@AgentChavo No. From years of experience.
Understand the point but everyone needs to start somewhere and not everyone has someone to show them. Cheers, Phil
@@ReviveMyRide Get the point. I just grew up figuring out how to do stuff myself.
@MrNicktheBeat "from years of experience" so you were told and shown by someone because you didn't know? How irresponsible of your teacher!