jacking up an E30 at the diff - yes or no?

[mccrackenj]

Hi all

I need to get the rear of my E30 off the ground. Ramps are no good as I'll be using those at the front, so I need to jack up the rear.

On an old car like the E30 I am going to assume the jacking points are not safe to use, so can I place the jack under the diff in the same way as you can on, say, an MX5?

If I can jack it up there, then where should I place the axle stands?

Thanks

John

[E30M3SE]

Place your axle stands at the rear beam mounting points,

actually this picture sums it up better than words,



Jacking up from the diff is debatable, some will say it is a no no, I've been doing it for many years without issue, so long as all of the rear bushes are in good order then I do not see it as an issue.

[mrmr96]

Do you cushionthe top of the jack? Any chase the casting would crack?

[E30M3SE]

My trolley jack has a rubber pad on the lifting plate so no need to cushion, if it was metal on metal then I would cushion, block of hard wood, ice hockey puck or whatever. So long as it is lifted from the casing and not the cover don't see it causing any cracking issues.

[mccrackenj]

E30M3SE said:

Place your axle stands at the rear beam mounting points,

actually this picture sums it up better than words,



Jacking up from the diff is debatable, some will say it is a no no, I've been doing it for many years without issue, so long as all of the rear bushes are in good order then I do not see it as an issue.

That's brilliant. Perfect answer.

Thanks a lot!