JHZR2
Staff member
Hi,
like most unibody vehicles, there is a specific jack point that should be used - that typically has a reenforcement to it.
Honda (my fiancee's integra) has a semi lousy implementation, butmy BMW is about the worst - it has a strong reinforced point flush with the side sills, but then there is a small metal lip just past that to the inside, where the factory jack 'hooks' to for stability. Since this is tough to visualize, think of a honda, which has a 'v' in the top of its scissors jack that mates to a piece of metal that sticks vertically downward... both cars are more or less the same... hopefully this will help:
metal from car unibody ----> ||
mating position for factory jack --> \/
---
So, that vertical piece of metal is bent on many of the points. I am always super careful, and in fact only use the factory jack (but if I have to roll under, the cars are either up on ramps, or the work gets done in the shop), if I have to lift the car on one side for tire swaps, etc.
So... say the metal is bent inward. I can see that the rubber undercoaing/corrosion protection is cracked/compromised. Not good... Ive been careful, and since the purchae in 2002, havent compromised them, but I had a chance to look at them tonight, and noted the extent of which theyre bent - perhaps a shop that Ive used had a lift that damaged them....
So, Im thinking options for repair. Is there much that I can do? If it helps, there is a picture below, and Im talking spts that are listed as factory jack only...
Should I dare use a big pliers and bend them back striaght? will that just compromise the metal more? Should I just paint the bare metal over with POR15 and then spray undercoating (3M brand) over the spots for an extral layer of insulation from the elements??? If I do bend them back, i will coat them with a LOT of protection.
Am I more or less stuck? The factory jack does work in all 4 spots with them as-is...
Any suggestions???
Thanks,
JMH
Thanks to the guys at r3vlimited for this great shot which is of super use to all E30ers everywhere!!!
like most unibody vehicles, there is a specific jack point that should be used - that typically has a reenforcement to it.
Honda (my fiancee's integra) has a semi lousy implementation, butmy BMW is about the worst - it has a strong reinforced point flush with the side sills, but then there is a small metal lip just past that to the inside, where the factory jack 'hooks' to for stability. Since this is tough to visualize, think of a honda, which has a 'v' in the top of its scissors jack that mates to a piece of metal that sticks vertically downward... both cars are more or less the same... hopefully this will help:
metal from car unibody ----> ||
mating position for factory jack --> \/
---
So, that vertical piece of metal is bent on many of the points. I am always super careful, and in fact only use the factory jack (but if I have to roll under, the cars are either up on ramps, or the work gets done in the shop), if I have to lift the car on one side for tire swaps, etc.
So... say the metal is bent inward. I can see that the rubber undercoaing/corrosion protection is cracked/compromised. Not good... Ive been careful, and since the purchae in 2002, havent compromised them, but I had a chance to look at them tonight, and noted the extent of which theyre bent - perhaps a shop that Ive used had a lift that damaged them....
So, Im thinking options for repair. Is there much that I can do? If it helps, there is a picture below, and Im talking spts that are listed as factory jack only...
Should I dare use a big pliers and bend them back striaght? will that just compromise the metal more? Should I just paint the bare metal over with POR15 and then spray undercoating (3M brand) over the spots for an extral layer of insulation from the elements??? If I do bend them back, i will coat them with a LOT of protection.
Am I more or less stuck? The factory jack does work in all 4 spots with them as-is...
Any suggestions???
Thanks,
JMH
Thanks to the guys at r3vlimited for this great shot which is of super use to all E30ers everywhere!!!