Jacking Pucks FYI

[RalphP]

OK: It's a dry subject for sure, but I thought I would share some experience for those of you who care. Feel free to add to this.

I have used a few different jacking pucks because my car stays on a lift in my garage.

There are a couple different ones that look like black hockey pucks with a T-shaped metal post designed to hang in the frame holes. These are for temporary use - not while driving - unless you forget to take them out which I have done a few times. Then you lose them. I have used the hard rubber ones and I have also used the ones that look similar but are more shiny and appear to be made of some harder material like some sort of plastic. After less than a year the harder plastic ones have big chunks broken off the perimeter and are cracking around the metal posts. Not good!

So, I have to recommend the hard rubber for durability. I also like the fact that they conform to the non-flat contours of the frame rails and are unlikely to slip against the lift arms. Note: some people sell solid aluminum pucks of the same design, but I have not used those.

There is also a square plastic jacking puck available that snaps "permanently" into the frame rail and enables you to leave them in and drive the car. I used them until one came out and I lost it anyway. These don't really conform to any surface. I have used them in concert with rubber pads that I contact-cemented to the lift arms and they work fine. I am now going back to these for convenience - just ordered another set.

As a final note, my frame rails are noticably distorted at the lift points. Not horrible, but definitely not flat and straight. I don't know if the cars come like that, or if it happens the first time you lift them or if it happened due to my car living on the lift.

Give me a break, it's Monday!

[KCMAGS]

FWIW...My low profile jack has a rubber cover over the contact area..bought it from Groit's Garage. Been lifted more times then I care to remember without ever using jacking pucks & there is absolutly no damage. Just my .02.

[DennyM]

I've been using "hockey pucks" with a "T" in the slots, s supports for my jack stands. 90% of the time I lift the car I slip the low-rise jack under the "Y" plate and on the frame rail in center of the balsa panels ... lift the whole side, then put jack stands under pucks.
I'm making and bringing two sets to the Fest for give-a-ways ... one will fit the thicker C6Z aluminum frame.

[froggy47]

Originally Posted by RalphP

As a final note, my frame rails are noticably distorted at the lift points. Not horrible, but definitely not flat and straight. I don't know if the cars come like that, or if it happens the first time you lift them or if it happened due to my car living on the lift.

Give me a break, it's Monday!

I bought the billet ones, I think they will last longer than the car, unless I lose them.

The holes at the tie down locations are "bent looking" on mine also. I think they are all like that, normal.

When I jack high enough on the rear point (maybe front too) the whole side of the car comes up.

[RalphP]

Thanks: I won't worry about the bent frame rails until the doors need to be aligned. I think the billet ones look cool but too $$$$ if I forget and drive away with them.

[2003Torch]

Frame savers. Install and never have to worry about it again. Jack from multiple locations.

[gasboy]

i bought mine at the chevy dealer.i keep them here at work for customer cars.besides i have a drive on lift at home.the gm pucks are sort of cast looking and have a chain hooked to each one that holds a liminated warning card saying don't forget and leave them on the car.they also have a rubber pad made onto them.as i remember gm was pretty proud of them.

[Top Cog]

Mine are "genuine" Canadian hocky pucks from Canadian Tire. Put two of them together and thread an eye-bolt through them. The eye-bolt holds the together and provides an insert to "lock" into the frame slots. The double thickness is fine...used them on my C5 and they work fine on my C6. I insert them only when lifting then remove them. Hardness seems perfect. Rubber is strong yet compliant. No problems after more than 5-years use.

Lifting these cars takes care...be sure everything is positioned properly and take your time.

I see no distortion on my rails.

That being said, I usually jack from center front and rear, though, instead of from the sides.

[Subw00er]

The best pucks are from your local BMW parts dealer! The puck that they sell that is round (the other ones they sell are square) fit our car PERFECTLY. They pop right in.

This was a hint that was travelling around a few years ago. I bought mine back then and have since had them permanently "installed" in the car. You cant see them from outside the car due to their low profile and they work very well, even after about a hundred lifts (no crushing, stay in place etc). On top of that they are only like $6 a piece. Cant beat it!

BTW, just get two, you only need them for the front two holes behind the front wheels - jacking there will lift the entire side safely.