Where do I put my Jack Stands?

[BruinX97]

Hi all,
I am going to have to replace the brake pads on my 330i and I was looking under the car. I can't seem to find an appropriate place to put the jack stands. I have the 4 jack points,the hard rubber blocks that stick out underneath the sideskirts on the car, but I'm not sure where else I can safely either

1) lift the car, so I can put the jack stands at the jack points or
2) where to put the jack stands, when I'm using the jack points to lift the car?

I've looked under the car and everything seems to be covered with plastic or thin metal. Oh, and I don't have a car lift, so I'm just using a small 2-ton hydraulic jack. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
George M.
BruinX97

[jkittlesen]

I put mine under the lower control arms.

[fcotanis]

George:
I have me a technique :)

I use the hydraulic jacks and I bought from sears a few open ended wrenches that I use to lock the dydraulic jecks in place close to the max raise point of them, but not to close so that I'll be unable to remove the wrenches. If the hydraulic jacks will go bad I'll have lots of fun. Anyway - not a recomended way - dangerous to say the least.

The hard plastic jack points unfortunatelly are the only safe points in the front. You CAN try a wood block and jack stands under the front control arms which is something I deem safe for the suspension if done right. If you can manage to make contact to a fairly big surface of the control arm using the wooden block. This will require some technical feel and know how. I can't show you the best solution - you will have to apply your brains here and be comfy with it of forget it.

Best of luck George,
Filip

[MarvelPhx]

There is actually a center jacking point behind the engine subframe, most jacks can't reach it though. If you look just inboard (towards the center of the car) from the actual BMW jack points, you will see what looks like a frame rail running under the seats front to back. With a rubber pad on a low jack, you can lift the car there. I have done it many times. If I still had the project car, I would take a picture.

Be very careful... make sure what you are jacking up can actually support the car. My first project car was so tight in suspension that lifting one corner high enough would only leave one wheel on the ground. Teetering 3600# is no fun...

[BruinX97]

Thanks Marvel, Found the jacking point you described. The description is very good. I had to go and adjust my handbrake and jacked the car up from the "frame rail" and put a jack stand under the jacking point.
Unfortunately, I did not have my camera with me, so I couldn't take a picture. I will be working on the car again soon (installing Sways) so I'll go ahead and take a picture of it next time.

-George