Jacking Pucks
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 2
From: Hope, Arkansas - '07 LMB Coupe
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
The deal with a flatbed driver needing to use the slots for tie downs doesn't bother me because if he knows about the slots then he can remove the pucks, and even if he doesn't, the odds are that I will be there on the scene when my Vette gets put on the flatbed anyway.
What does bother me about leaving the pucks on the car are the chance of them coming loose and falling off while driving. That could cause damage that could have otherwise been prevented by storing them in the rear compartments. I think it also increases the chance of hitting the top of a speed bump or some road debris as the puck now becomes the lowest point on the car (other than the front spoiler). Especially for those that have lowered their ride height.
What does bother me about leaving the pucks on the car are the chance of them coming loose and falling off while driving. That could cause damage that could have otherwise been prevented by storing them in the rear compartments. I think it also increases the chance of hitting the top of a speed bump or some road debris as the puck now becomes the lowest point on the car (other than the front spoiler). Especially for those that have lowered their ride height.
Last edited by gota07; Jun 25, 2007 at 06:27 AM.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 293
Likes: 1
From: Bayside, NY & Lake Worth, FL
I'm sure that's $6.45 each...for a set of four (4).
To the OP....it's your decision but I would not leave the jacking pucks installed 24/7. If you're car breaks-down on the road, the towing service will need to utilize the oval frame slots to affix J-hooks on their cable(s) to winch your car up onto the flatbed. In which case, you will have to remove the jacking pucks.
I don't know about you but if my car breaks-down I'm already PO'd. I don't want the added aggravation of (potentially) having to lay in the rain and mud alongside a busy freeway trying to remove my jacking pucks before the tow truck arrives. I'll get to the service facility before they start working on the car and snap them in myself. I'd much rather carry them in the storage cubby and install them as needed.
Although I think they improve with use, my BMW jacking pucks required a fair amount of prying and leverage to remove. A large flat head screw driver was needed to pry them loose. I modified my rectangular BMW jacking pucks per a DIY thread posted some time ago....I drilled part-way down into the center pins and then screwed-in a small, brass screw....leaving the heads and a small amount of the screw shaft sticking-out. This made it much easier to grasp the center pins and easier to remove the jacking pucks.
To the OP....it's your decision but I would not leave the jacking pucks installed 24/7. If you're car breaks-down on the road, the towing service will need to utilize the oval frame slots to affix J-hooks on their cable(s) to winch your car up onto the flatbed. In which case, you will have to remove the jacking pucks.
I don't know about you but if my car breaks-down I'm already PO'd. I don't want the added aggravation of (potentially) having to lay in the rain and mud alongside a busy freeway trying to remove my jacking pucks before the tow truck arrives. I'll get to the service facility before they start working on the car and snap them in myself. I'd much rather carry them in the storage cubby and install them as needed.
Although I think they improve with use, my BMW jacking pucks required a fair amount of prying and leverage to remove. A large flat head screw driver was needed to pry them loose. I modified my rectangular BMW jacking pucks per a DIY thread posted some time ago....I drilled part-way down into the center pins and then screwed-in a small, brass screw....leaving the heads and a small amount of the screw shaft sticking-out. This made it much easier to grasp the center pins and easier to remove the jacking pucks.
When I had to have the Vette flat bedded the driver just used the slots and no worry about him or me having to lie on the ground to take out semi-permanently installed BMW pucks.
At the GY service center, I give the tech the puck, only needed to lift left front, and he knew exactly what to do, just place in opening and turn. After the job was finished, easy to remove and back into the rear cubby.
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 47
Likes: 0
From: Briarcliff Manor NY
If anyone cares, I bought rectangular ones from Bavarian Autosport (bavauto.com - part # 51 71 8 268 885) when my local BMW dealership (Hendricks in Pleasanton CA) wanted ~$17 EACH for the same thing (yes, I gave them a part #)! Paid $6 bucks each for a set of 4. Perfect fit. I leave 'em on. However, I have noticed recently that from a distance even on a level surface (like in a large parking lot) you can see them. Interesting that my 328i came stock with similar (lower profile) pucks. 
FM
FM
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,516
Likes: 2
From: Virginia Bch VA
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 421
Likes: 0
From: Fontana Ca
BMW makes two types of pucks that fit OUR car. The rectangular ones are thicker but have an indented face surface (51 71 8 268 885), and they make a set that is round (51 71 1 960 752) that are much thinner with a flat base better for stands. I got both. The round ones JUST clear the rocker panels providing you with a small margin of safety, but are hard to see when on the car (for daily driving). The rectangular ones are more visible but are further from your rockers, better for lifts.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 0
From: Royse City Texas
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25,455
Likes: 3
From: Damn Connecticut Yankee
. The owner stopped the guy and pointed out that he had the BMW pucks installed. The owner told me that even he could see how the pucks got missed because they were black in color to begin with and the fact that they had been under his car for a few months just made matters worse. After that ordeal, he actually considered painting the pucks white to make them more visible.
If a jacking puck and frame are so encrusted with dirt and grime that they become difficult to distinguish from each other, the owner has neglected his car to the extent that he doesn't deserve such a fine vehicle.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 967
Likes: 1
From: / California
Anyone who can overlook jacking pucks that are in place is just plain ignorant of the appropriate jacking position for a 4 arm lift or is just plain lazy. Maybe a combination of the two.
If a jacking puck and frame are so encrusted with dirt and grime that they become difficult to distinguish from each other, the owner has neglected his car to the extent that he doesn't deserve such a fine vehicle.
If a jacking puck and frame are so encrusted with dirt and grime that they become difficult to distinguish from each other, the owner has neglected his car to the extent that he doesn't deserve such a fine vehicle.
You may be correct on both counts, especially about the guy setting up the lift rack. In defence of the owner, he drives the wheels off his C6. It's an '06 and he has in the neighborhood of 31,000 miles because it's his daily driver, heck it's his only driver!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,709
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '06
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25,455
Likes: 3
From: Damn Connecticut Yankee
The deal with a flatbed driver needing to use the slots for tie downs doesn't bother me because if he knows about the slots then he can remove the pucks, and even if he doesn't, the odds are that I will be there on the scene when my Vette gets put on the flatbed anyway.
What does bother me about leaving the pucks on the car are the chance of them coming loose and falling off while driving. That could cause damage that could have otherwise been prevented by storing them in the rear compartments. I think it also increases the chance of hitting the top of a speed bump or some road debris as the puck now becomes the lowest point on the car (other than the front spoiler). Especially for those that have lowered their ride height.
What does bother me about leaving the pucks on the car are the chance of them coming loose and falling off while driving. That could cause damage that could have otherwise been prevented by storing them in the rear compartments. I think it also increases the chance of hitting the top of a speed bump or some road debris as the puck now becomes the lowest point on the car (other than the front spoiler). Especially for those that have lowered their ride height.
The front spoiler is still lower than the taller (rectangular) BMW puck. I've scraped my front spolier going over speed bumps, but never the rectangular pucks.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25,455
Likes: 3
From: Damn Connecticut Yankee
To the OP....it's your decision but I would not leave the jacking pucks installed 24/7. If you're car breaks-down on the road, the towing service will need to utilize the oval frame slots to affix J-hooks on their cable(s) to winch your car up onto the flatbed. In which case, you will have to remove the jacking pucks.
I don't know about you but if my car breaks-down I'm already PO'd. I don't want the added aggravation of (potentially) having to lay in the rain and mud alongside a busy freeway trying to remove my jacking pucks before the tow truck arrives. I'll get to the service facility before they start working on the car and snap them in myself. I'd much rather carry them in the storage cubby and install them as needed.
From the other puck thread:
Why would you lie down in the rain and mud?
In fact, why would you lie down at all?
If you don't need to lie down to snap pucks in you don't need to lie down to remove them.
To each his own, but I use them as they were intended. Snap 'em in and forget 'em.
If you're going to install them only when you intend to use them and remove them afterward, why go through the hassle of using BMW pucks? Just use Elite or hockey puck temporary pucks.
Hocky pucks with eye bolts ....................... 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,516
Likes: 2
From: Virginia Bch VA
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25,455
Likes: 3
From: Damn Connecticut Yankee
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Denton Texas
Thanks to all that posted. I decided to buy the elite pucks. I have the BMW pucks now, and I will keep them in the car also. I am more afraid of the removing issue (really good example of rain and mud, not for me!, I have worked too hard for the privilege of not getting dirty) than the cost. if I get a flat and need a flat bed tow, then saving the $$$$ will seem like a poor investment, besides, I can always sell them to another Vette owner later.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,734
Likes: 2
From: Southeastern PA
CF Senior Member Emeritus
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,157
Likes: 1
From: Maryland
Listen to John - He speaks the truth!
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 11,762
Likes: 2