Jacking Pucks, standard vs. snap in type
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 233
From: Chicago Illinois
Jacking Pucks, standard vs. snap in type
I am looking into buying jack pucks for my C5. My options are snap in type that remain on the car all the time, or standard temporary drop in type.
Are there advantages in one type over the other?
Are there advantages in one type over the other?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
Likes: 224
From: Hillsboro Oregon
I have used the BMW style snap in and I just leave them in.
That way they are always there when I need them. Had them in for 10 years and 70k on my 99. First thing I bought for my 03.
Check RockAuto.com........cheapest I have seen
That way they are always there when I need them. Had them in for 10 years and 70k on my 99. First thing I bought for my 03.
Check RockAuto.com........cheapest I have seen
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 317
Likes: 42
I need to get the jacking tools for my 2003. I've been just driving up on 2by10 pcs stepped up to 3 but is there a reasonable priced jack for these cars? I already have the small aluminum racing jack from Harbor Freight but it's too short and after this last weekend I see where this is an awkward task.
I'd rather jack it than ramp it or do you need to do both?
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Those are the ones I use also. Should I need to take my car in for service or even if I just do something to the car myself that requires jacking the car up, I do not have to worry about whether there will be damage from a lift pad.Obviously I would recommend the snap in type.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,431
Likes: 233
From: Chicago Illinois
So then, the snap in pucks are tall enough to prevent damage to the body panel attachments points when a jack is positioned? By contrast, the temporary pucks seem much taller, and thereby may assure that the jack pad will not contact the body attachment points, specifically where the right and left fenders attach to the frame near the puck locations? Yes/No?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
I use hockey pucks. Cheap, soft and work well. Had the machined aluminum but there were some guys who had frame damage because the surface area was too small. The advantage of hockey pucks is you can stack them if you need more lift.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2016
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From: Houston Texas
JR, you mind sharing which model or part number that you order from Rockauto?
I just want to make sure that I get the right ones..
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Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
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I've been debating on getting them myself and after looking at a lot of pictures and prices and metal versus rubber and the whole bit I looked on Amazon and got 12 hockey pucks in a bag for $19 which it seems a lot of guys use and you can double stack them if needed. I think that's how a lot of these specialized pucks start out to begin with.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,258
Likes: 544
From: Appleton WI
So then, the snap in pucks are tall enough to prevent damage to the body panel attachments points when a jack is positioned? By contrast, the temporary pucks seem much taller, and thereby may assure that the jack pad will not contact the body attachment points, specifically where the right and left fenders attach to the frame near the puck locations? Yes/No?
As far as temporary vs snap in, if you're forgetful, go with the snap in or a type that doesn't engage into the frame. Otherwise, you will use the pucks, forget you have them on the frame, go for a drive, lose them, and have to buy replacements.
I personally don't use jacking pucks. I prefer to lift from the front or back locations and lift both fronts or backs at the same time. Any time I'm jacking up the car, it is to service both sides anyway. I use a low profile jack I bought from Harbor Freight.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,747
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From: Hillsboro Oregon
The BMW style snap in pucks do engage the frame and will stay put unless pried out. For me, this is their advantage.......they are always there. They also don't show like the hockey puck style tend to.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 317
Likes: 42
All you are trying to do is prevent contact between the lifting device and the rocker panels. You don't need a very thick puck. You don't even need pucks if you're careful on the placement of your lifting device. The pucks are an added safety measure.
As far as temporary vs snap in, if you're forgetful, go with the snap in or a type that doesn't engage into the frame. Otherwise, you will use the pucks, forget you have them on the frame, go for a drive, lose them, and have to buy replacements. jack:
I personally don't use jacking pucks. I prefer to lift from the front or back locations and lift both fronts or backs at the same time. Any time I'm jacking up the car, it is to service both sides anyway. I use a low profile jack I bought from Harbor Freight.
As far as temporary vs snap in, if you're forgetful, go with the snap in or a type that doesn't engage into the frame. Otherwise, you will use the pucks, forget you have them on the frame, go for a drive, lose them, and have to buy replacements. jack:
I personally don't use jacking pucks. I prefer to lift from the front or back locations and lift both fronts or backs at the same time. Any time I'm jacking up the car, it is to service both sides anyway. I use a low profile jack I bought from Harbor Freight.
Burning Brakes
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Appleton WI
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
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From: Northville, MI
The easy answer to the OP's question is how often to you think you will use them. Once in a lifetime.....hockey pucks, 1-15 times a month get the BMW type. During the April-November time frame I autocross/HPDE 3 times a month and use some agressive brake pads (heavy corrosive dusting) and jack up the wheels at least 3 times/month. When making changes, aligning, replacing parts, etc it can easily be another 5-10 times in a month.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
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From: Hillsboro Oregon
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Riverside CA
St. Jude Donor '12
You have probably seen my post if you are shopping jacking pucks. If you do decide to order from me and are in anyway unsatisfied with the product and how they work I will pay return shipping. No risk to you. I haven't personally used the snap in type but I have used the aluminum pucks and they suck! I like mine and don't sell products to people I wouldn't use myself. Good luck with your decision.
For me I would never make a purchase decision like leave in pucks so I don't have to worry about the service guy remembering to use them. I don't let ANYONE just do whatever they want to my cars without me watching everything they do.
Probably why the dealers never do the work on my cars including oil changes.
For me I would never make a purchase decision like leave in pucks so I don't have to worry about the service guy remembering to use them. I don't let ANYONE just do whatever they want to my cars without me watching everything they do.
Probably why the dealers never do the work on my cars including oil changes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,187
Likes: 173
From: Nevada
If I go to tire shop, or any shops when car needs to get serviced, are those pucks a must have? or shops will ruin the car if they don't know how to jack it up?! also I got ground effects in the Z06. side skirts are what they will mess up if they have never done a C7 before right?