How do you lift for service your MK4?

Kluster · March 31st, 2004, 13:04

When I did my oil change I started lifting it by the side, the little metalling part under the rocker panel... but it bented... This may sound stupid for a question but I would like to have the correct answer.

POWERSTROKE · March 31st, 2004, 13:06

Rhino ramps for oil changes.

And for tire rotation use a slotted 2x4 about 12-15 inches long between the jack and pinch weld. This will prevent damage.

Kluster · March 31st, 2004, 13:12

I'll putting on my running shoes soon [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Good bye winter boots.

POWERSTROKE · March 31st, 2004, 13:14

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I'll putting on my running shoes soon [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Good bye winter boots.

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mgwerks · March 31st, 2004, 13:25

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I'll putting on my running shoes soon [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] Good bye winter boots.

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XLATE: Time to get rid of the snow tires and into the performance skins - eh?
[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Variant TDI · March 31st, 2004, 13:43

I put a 24" 2x4 under the subframe, and lift the entire car from the dead center of that. Once the car is up... I put jackstands under either side of the 2x4.

It requires you to slightly lift the car with either RhinoRamps, or the stock jack to get the jack and 2x4 under the subframe, but it yields a very safe result, and no damage to the undercarraige.

Now that your pinch weld is bent, how are you going to use your emergency jack when there's an emergency?

VelvetFoot · March 31st, 2004, 13:46

Variant,
I am still trying to refine my jacking skills. I'm going to go out to the garage in a little while to check, but you don't have a picture of this method, do you? You put this 2x4 in the middle of the subframe and jack from the front of the car?
I'd like to do this too, so any help would be appreciated.
Thanks.

PS: I wonder if the steel skid plate would interfere? It's the same size as the original plastic, so if you have to take the plastic one off, I guess the metal one would have to come off too.

POWERSTROKE · March 31st, 2004, 13:49

What about the rear?

Arthur · March 31st, 2004, 13:54

Its not stupid question. I made the same mistake. I started lifting with a floor jack what looked strong like a metal pinch rail, but its actually plastic and it bent after some lifting.

Then I got nervous and quickly released the jack, the car fell on the jackstand and dented the color coded panel under the door [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] I suck

Then I jacked from the subframe. stupid stupid stupid me

mgwerks · March 31st, 2004, 14:20

You have to pull the steel plate before bracing on the crossmember, or you're stuck. I jack the back up one side at a time. No where near as easy to raise or brace as the old bugs... [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Denton T. Young · March 31st, 2004, 15:32

I drive up on Rhino ramps but I also jack up the car a bit to gain a little more clearance. I place a floor jack (with a hockey puck as a jack pad) under the "A" arm.

VelvetFoot · March 31st, 2004, 16:28

I'm leary of jacking on a suspension component-I think I'd want to see it done first. Jacking up the whole front end at once is appealing.

I'm studying for a clutch job.

Variant TDI · March 31st, 2004, 18:46

Disclaimer. As with anything... use your brain. I've been using this method for years, and I've NEVER dropped a car. I've never even come close to dropping a car. However... I've worked on alot of cars that have been dropped due to improper jacking techniques... Most related to people trying to use the pinch weld, or floor pan for things it's not designed for, but some due to a lack of thinking. Lastly... Hydraulic jack cups are brutal. Let it chew up the wood... not your car.

Here are some photos. The first is from the front, and doesn't show placement on the subframe. The second one is from behind the passenger's front wheel.

A few notes.
- Placement is critical. The 2x4 must be placed exactly along the subframe.
- The wood is cut short enough to not interfere with the A-Arms as they drop
- The jackstands are placed so that they are still underneath a good portion of the subframe. Too far out, and the 2x4 will begin to bow.
- A 2x3 will also work, and sits in the jack stand cups a little better.

From the front.

From the rear.

zebrajeb · March 31st, 2004, 19:03

Great pictures! Looks good to me.

Denton T. Young · March 31st, 2004, 21:17

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I'm leary of jacking on a suspension component-I think I'd want to see it done first.

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I've seen MK4's on lifts at dealerships and the front arms of the lifts were under the "A" arms.

Do you remember the dealer service bay at TDI Fest in Utah? They jacked up a car while we were there. I was right next to the car while the tech was lining up the lifting arms and noticed he was using the A arms and not the reinforced weld. There was also a car on a lift that had it's transmission out and it was lifted the same way. The reason that I noticed was I've always been weary of using the weld since I bent one on an previous car and wanted to see how the "pros" did it.