Topic: Getting under the car...

[mmret]

Whats the best way to get some sort of lift-ability at home? So I can get under the car and see stuff.

I'd consider a lift but my garage door setup precludes that (not enough clear vertical space).

Are Rhino Ramps sturdy enough that you can actually work under them and not run the risk of being crushed in the face?

[dr_spock]

Rhino Ramps would be good enough. Just be sure your car is not going to roll off them.  Apply parking brakes, P in auto or 1st gear in manual.  Use wheel chocks too.  When I use ramps, I put a pair of jack stands underneath for backup.   

The drawback with ramps is you can't work on anything that requires a wheel to be taken off.

[mmret]

I just can't trust the plastic-ness of rhino ramps.

Thinking I might build my own ramps out of wood as a project.

6 pieces of 2x12x120. Maybe Home Depot or whoever can cut them into the lengths I need. The GLK will have some work to do

Minimum tolerance seems to be 6 inches of clearance vs. 32 inches run, so about 10.6 degrees (front end of the Z4).
My ramp should get me 9 inches of lift within a 7.5 foot ramp length. About 7.3 degrees incline to the final step. Only rough measurements of the Z4 so need some extra margin.

Might build some 3" high ramps for the back wheels too. That way the fronts are up 9" and the backs up 3" (or vice versa), should be plenty of lift and no jacks required.

[tortoise]

I just can't trust the plastic-ness of rhino ramps.

Thinking I might build my own ramps out of wood as a project.

Seems completely backwards to me.

If you just want to crawl under there on a rare occasion just drive one side up a curve, set the parking and e-brake and crawl under.  I did this to apply some lubricant to a J-Pipe that was rattling away.

[ktm525]

I just can't trust the plastic-ness of rhino ramps.

Thinking I might build my own ramps out of wood as a project.

6 pieces of 2x12x120. Maybe Home Depot or whoever can cut them into the lengths I need. The GLK will have some work to do

Minimum tolerance seems to be 6 inches of clearance vs. 32 inches run, so about 10.6 degrees (front end of the Z4).
My ramp should get me 9 inches of lift within a 7.5 foot ramp length. About 7.3 degrees incline to the final step. Only rough measurements of the Z4 so need some extra margin.

Might build some 3" high ramps for the back wheels too. That way the fronts are up 9" and the backs up 3" (or vice versa), should be plenty of lift and no jacks required.

The Rhino ramps are plenty strong. I have had the LR3 on my heavy duty Rhinos countless times. If thr LR3  didn't crush them into pancakes then nothing short of an Leopard II will. Plus the Rhinos are light enough to hang from a rafter in the garage so they are stored neatly out of the way when not in use. Get the heavy duty.

[blur911]

The PITA about the regular steel ramps you can get most places is that they are usually designed for tires under 225 or so in width.

I usually use a big-ass jack and jack-stands as my vehicles usually don't fit my ramps, or I'm pulling of the wheels anyhow.

[ktm525]

The heavy Rhinos can handle tires close to 275. For oil changes etc the ramps can't be beat although they don't provide huge room, just enough to get under the car to remove a filter etc. They do not have enough vertical liftto use a creeper etc.

[No H2O]

I'd consider a lift but my garage door setup precludes that (not enough clear vertical space).

Install some rail extenders. Kits are available with spring, rails, etc.

[ktm525]

I'd consider a lift but my garage door setup precludes that (not enough clear vertical space).

Install some rail extenders. Kits are available with spring, rails, etc.

Yes you can relocate the door motor to the side to increase the overhead room. Then add a 4 post lift.

[Mike]

I have both steel wheel ramps (good for 245 at least, I think I could squeeze a 265 in there) and jack stands.  With my Michelin quick jack it is quite easy to get the car in the air. and supported on my floor jacks.

Using ramps/jacks I have installed 2 cat backs, change diff oil, changed tranny oil, installed HID's/Fog Lights/Lips, etc.

[articsteve]

Thinking I might build my own ramps out of wood as a project.

Ramps for a Z4/TSX for the purpose of doing anything underneath are next to useless.

You need a good low clearance dual pump jack (refillable) 2 1/2 ton in the range of $230, but watch for sales.  Not that sh*t they sell at Crappy Tire.  Two jacks make lifting a breeze (one of each side).

Jack stands:  four 6 ton with at least 23 inch lift.  You'll need a couple 2 ton jack stand as well.

Do it right the first time.  Don't half *ss it if you've got the $$$.     

[mmret]

Two jacks? Can't I just do one side at a time. I am cheap.

Also why 6 ton jackstands. For sheer overkill ?

[rrocket]

Two jacks? Can't I just do one side at a time. I am cheap.

Also why 6 ton jackstands. For sheer overkill ?

It's overkill.  I did EVERYTHING ever needed to the Supra (and my other cars) with 2 Rhino ramps, two jackstands, and an aluminum 2.5 ton trolley jack purchased at Harbor Freight.

[articsteve]

Two jacks? Can't I just do one side at a time. I am cheap.

      If you're lifting the side, you need one near the front and one near the rear.

If you're lifting the front you need one on both sides.

Also why 6 ton jack stands. For sheer overkill ?

Actually they aren't that big.  It's for the vertical lift.   If your doing your brakes then those 2 ton jacks are OK because your not underneath!

[mmret]

     If you're lifting the side, you need one near the front and one near the rear.

Hmm I had read of some people lifting the entire side on one jack on the Z4. But yes doesn't seem that safe.

But with two jacks you need to keep it balanced somehow.

[rrocket]

     If you're lifting the side, you need one near the front and one near the rear.

Hmm I had read of some people lifting the entire side on one jack on the Z4. But yes doesn't seem that safe.

But with two jacks you need to keep it balanced somehow.

Depending on what you're doing, I just lift a corner at a time...

[mmret]

Two jacks? Can't I just do one side at a time. I am cheap.

Also why 6 ton jackstands. For sheer overkill ?

It's overkill.  I did EVERYTHING ever needed to the Supra (and my other cars) with 2 Rhino ramps, two jackstands, and an aluminum 2.5 ton trolley jack purchased at Harbor Freight.

Mostly I just want to get under the TSX to fix that damn heat shield.

[rrocket]

Two jacks? Can't I just do one side at a time. I am cheap.

Also why 6 ton jackstands. For sheer overkill ?

It's overkill.  I did EVERYTHING ever needed to the Supra (and my other cars) with 2 Rhino ramps, two jackstands, and an aluminum 2.5 ton trolley jack purchased at Harbor Freight.

Mostly I just want to get under the TSX to fix that damn heat shield.

Lots of room with Rhino ramps...

[articsteve]

Hmm I had read of some people lifting the entire side on one jack on the Z4. But yes doesn't seem that safe.

You can lift the entire side of a Camry with one jack, but you need a stand on each end of the vehicle.  One behind the front wheel and one in front of the rear wheel.  There is no getting around this.

But with two jacks you need to keep it balanced somehow.

Not sure what you mean, but if your talking about using 2 hydraulic jacks here is what you do:  You place one jack mid way on one side and the other jack same position on the other.  You then lift 12 inches on one side and then 12 inches on the other.  Repeat process and then scurry around and install jack stands at all "four corners" so to speak.  This process takes about 2 minutes and the vehicle is well off the ground and very stable.

Rhino ramps are bush league.  They are useful for outdoor use when all you want to do is drive the vehicle up and change the oil as there is just enough room to get your arm under there plus your catch pan.

I can't get my 944 S2 up on a set of circa 50's longish heavy steel ramps that are 100 times better built that Rhino ramps so I don't think that Z4 is going up on a set of Rhinos.

I'm doing a front crank seal and T belt job on my S2 currently.  I'll snap a pic if I can figure out a way to reduce it using just Windows 7.

[mmret]

You can lift the entire side of a Camry with one jack,

Yes, this is what I meant originally, jack in the middle of the side and then stands on both ends on the supports, but how can you guarantee that the lifting point would be stable once the wheels lift off? Weight balance issue etc.

And yes its going to be rather hard to get the Z4 up a set of Rhino Ramps. As I wrote the max approach angle is ~10 degrees.