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bmw jacking puck question
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 647
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bmw jacking puck question
Howdy all. Have some questions regarding the BMW jacking pucks. I'm new to the Vette thing and I've already done a couple of searches but haven't seen the answers.
I plan on getting some BMW rectangular jacking pads as described in numerous postings. For those that have them: do you leave them installed or do you only put them in and take them out when you get service?
If you leave them in, do you ever have a problem taking them out should you need to remove them?
And if you leave them in, do you notice any increase in noise due to the disruption of airflow around them?
These may be (well, ok, they probably are) somewhat dumb questions but I just want to make sure I'm doing what I'm supposed to do to protect my car.
Thanks for your help
Mike
I plan on getting some BMW rectangular jacking pads as described in numerous postings. For those that have them: do you leave them installed or do you only put them in and take them out when you get service?
If you leave them in, do you ever have a problem taking them out should you need to remove them?
And if you leave them in, do you notice any increase in noise due to the disruption of airflow around them?
These may be (well, ok, they probably are) somewhat dumb questions but I just want to make sure I'm doing what I'm supposed to do to protect my car.
Thanks for your help
Mike
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,586
Likes: 141
From: Palm Beach Florida
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
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Mike, you know they make two sizes, you want the smallest ones, you can take them out by pulling the center pin with pliers. They work great with most jacks with a single front roller but I was at my local Corvette dealer and they lifted the car with the rear pads but the fronts were too low for the lift and instead of raising the car by driving on boards they just placed the lift pads on the rockers next to the pad! If you haven't bought them yet, cruise the back lot of a BMW dealer, you may find what you need, when a BMW comes off lease and they trailer the car away they pull the pads off to hook the chains into the slots.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Plantation Florida
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Howdy all. Have some questions regarding the BMW jacking pucks. I'm new to the Vette thing and I've already done a couple of searches but haven't seen the answers.
I plan on getting some BMW rectangular jacking pads as described in numerous postings. For those that have them: do you leave them installed or do you only put them in and take them out when you get service?
If you leave them in, do you ever have a problem taking them out should you need to remove them?
And if you leave them in, do you notice any increase in noise due to the disruption of airflow around them?
These may be (well, ok, they probably are) somewhat dumb questions but I just want to make sure I'm doing what I'm supposed to do to protect my car.
Thanks for your help
Mike
I plan on getting some BMW rectangular jacking pads as described in numerous postings. For those that have them: do you leave them installed or do you only put them in and take them out when you get service?
If you leave them in, do you ever have a problem taking them out should you need to remove them?
And if you leave them in, do you notice any increase in noise due to the disruption of airflow around them?
These may be (well, ok, they probably are) somewhat dumb questions but I just want to make sure I'm doing what I'm supposed to do to protect my car.
Thanks for your help
Mike
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
The first time I ever used my rectangular BMW jacking pucks was at the dealership when I noticed the 'mechanic' preparing to lift the car without any pads. Sadly, the dealership didn't have a clue what jacking pucks were nor did they ever use anything similar. The pucks snapped right in and afterwards, mine pulled out easily with pliers (I just pulled-down on the center pins).
After almost 2 years of trouble-free driving, I recently had to have my car towed (my serpentine belt shredded and came off). As the tow trucks use the same slots to pull and secure the car onto the flatbed, I would not leave them in all the time (should your car ever need to be towed, you would only have to remove them).
FWIW, when the car was unloaded at the dealership (and knowing they don't use pucks), I put mine in. It was cold outside and I had some trouble snapping them back in (but I didn't have anything much in the way of tools to use). I did finally get them all in. I'll take them back out when I pick up my car later this morning and store them back away in the 'cubby'.
After almost 2 years of trouble-free driving, I recently had to have my car towed (my serpentine belt shredded and came off). As the tow trucks use the same slots to pull and secure the car onto the flatbed, I would not leave them in all the time (should your car ever need to be towed, you would only have to remove them).
FWIW, when the car was unloaded at the dealership (and knowing they don't use pucks), I put mine in. It was cold outside and I had some trouble snapping them back in (but I didn't have anything much in the way of tools to use). I did finally get them all in. I'll take them back out when I pick up my car later this morning and store them back away in the 'cubby'.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,709
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '06
The round (lower) ones can easily be removed...I think it takes a screwdriver to pry it loose if I remember correctly.
The rectangular ones (taller) can be taken out easily with pliers IF you put a small screw in the center pin before installing them. See photo below.
I had the round ones and changed to the rectangular ones. The round ones are tall enough UNLESS the jack or lift has a lip on it (which some do). If the lip is too tall there could still be damage to the rockers. The rectangular ones are tall enough that I don't think any lip would be high enough to be a problem.
That said, the rectangular ones are a bit more noticeable...but not bad IMO.
Notice screw installed in center pin to allow easy removal with pliers
Height comparison of round vs. rectangular BMW pucks
The rectangular ones (taller) can be taken out easily with pliers IF you put a small screw in the center pin before installing them. See photo below.
I had the round ones and changed to the rectangular ones. The round ones are tall enough UNLESS the jack or lift has a lip on it (which some do). If the lip is too tall there could still be damage to the rockers. The rectangular ones are tall enough that I don't think any lip would be high enough to be a problem.
That said, the rectangular ones are a bit more noticeable...but not bad IMO.
Notice screw installed in center pin to allow easy removal with pliers
Height comparison of round vs. rectangular BMW pucks
Last edited by C-INRED; Dec 14, 2006 at 04:03 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
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A note about towing, any C6 should be held on the flatbed with wheel straps not through the frame. The problem is that most towing companies do not have the straps either due to cost, damaged or lost. Try to confirm this before the truck comes. This information comes from AAA's towing guidelines, so AAA should back you on this.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 4,206
Likes: 6
From: Makena, Maui & NM
I got hockey pucks w/eyelet screws off of ebay for $20.00 shipped for four of them, its easy scew on/off and a bit less than 1/4" lower height than the BMW rectangulars. You can see those BMW rectangulars hanging underneath the car from a distance at certain angles which bugs me. So I just carry my hockey pucks in one of the compartments in the trunk ready to use at anytime.
Retired & lovin' it!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,475
Likes: 549
From: Jackson NJ
I've been using the round BMW pucks for over a year....leave them in place & never had a problem. Also use a real hockey puck on the saddle of my floor jack just to give myself a bit more clearance.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25,455
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From: Damn Connecticut Yankee
Repro of a post I did some months ago:
Just recieved a set of rectangular BMW jacking pads from the helpful folks at Bavarian Autosport.
Two thicknesses are available.
I opted for the thicker of the two, shown below, as I wanted to maximize clearance between a commercial service bay's lift arms and the rocker panels.
Unlike the round pads that we are familiar with, these pads are rectangular, quite a bit thicker, and secure with a combination of snap in tabs like the round ones and an expansion pin as well. They also have flexible gasket material in the inside perimeter.
The bottom of the pad has a hollowed area and there are two small concavities in the longer sides.
A similar taper is present and the material is the same incompressible glass filled nylon.
Round pad thickness: 5/8"
Rectangular pad thickness: 1 1/8"
(Hockey puck: 15/16")
Just recieved a set of rectangular BMW jacking pads from the helpful folks at Bavarian Autosport.
Two thicknesses are available.
I opted for the thicker of the two, shown below, as I wanted to maximize clearance between a commercial service bay's lift arms and the rocker panels.
Unlike the round pads that we are familiar with, these pads are rectangular, quite a bit thicker, and secure with a combination of snap in tabs like the round ones and an expansion pin as well. They also have flexible gasket material in the inside perimeter.
The bottom of the pad has a hollowed area and there are two small concavities in the longer sides.
A similar taper is present and the material is the same incompressible glass filled nylon.
Round pad thickness: 5/8"
Rectangular pad thickness: 1 1/8"
(Hockey puck: 15/16")
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 913
Likes: 36
From: Scottsdale Arizona
I put small brass screws in the ends of the pins before I pushed them in the puck. Just in case I ever have to remove the puck, the screws give me a way to pull the pins.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 17
WOW!!
My thanks to all that took the time to reply, especially those of you that included pictures! This information really helped me and tomorrow I head to the BMW dealer to get the rectangular pads. Even though they're bigger, I think I'd like to have the extra protection.
Thanks again!
Mike
My thanks to all that took the time to reply, especially those of you that included pictures! This information really helped me and tomorrow I head to the BMW dealer to get the rectangular pads. Even though they're bigger, I think I'd like to have the extra protection.
Thanks again!
Mike
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 647
Likes: 17
Twist and shout?
Hiya all.
Got the rectangular lift pads on y'alls recommendation today and I installed them, and I thank you for your suggestions and photos.
I think - I'm not sure, but I think - I read something somewhere that you're supposed to twist these things once the pin pops in. Is this true? Because once they were in, by golly, they were IN and for the life of me I couldn't get 'em to budge.
If I'm supposed to twist 'em, how does one do this? Whacking on it with a hammer?
Or is it a deal of 'once they're in, they're in and don't worry about it'?
Sorry for the repeated questions on this thread, but better I get it right now than have the car slip off a lift later! Thanks again for your advice.
Mike
Got the rectangular lift pads on y'alls recommendation today and I installed them, and I thank you for your suggestions and photos.
I think - I'm not sure, but I think - I read something somewhere that you're supposed to twist these things once the pin pops in. Is this true? Because once they were in, by golly, they were IN and for the life of me I couldn't get 'em to budge.
If I'm supposed to twist 'em, how does one do this? Whacking on it with a hammer?
Or is it a deal of 'once they're in, they're in and don't worry about it'?Sorry for the repeated questions on this thread, but better I get it right now than have the car slip off a lift later! Thanks again for your advice.
Mike