Raise up car

[Drake]

So I plan on changing my Tranny/Diff Fluid tomorrow, and since I need to have the car level, I can't drive it up on ramps, and I don't have enough jack stands to do all 4 corners.
The problem is my car is lowered so it's too tough to get underneath it.

I bought a couple 2X8s and stacked them 3 high, 20",16", then 12". (Yes I secured them together). Unfortunately I couldn't get up on them, they kept sliding when I went to roll up them. I might modify them a bit to make the rise more gradual.

Anyone have any other suggestions on how to fix my ramps or other ways to jack the car up enough to get under it while keeping it level?

[Initial D.oug]

I say go buy some Jack stands, use them and return them. Either that or just buy them to keep them. I would never use anything like cinder blocks or wood to jack up a car. Just not worth the risk.

If you have to though, find a wall and prop the wood up against it. I'd go for getting some more jack stand though.

[crashaholic]

So I plan on changing my Tranny/Diff Fluid tomorrow, and since I need to have the car level, I can't drive it up on ramps, and I don't have enough jack stands to do all 4 corners.
The problem is my car is lowered so it's too tough to get underneath it.

I bought a couple 2X8s and stacked them 3 high, 20",16", then 12". (Yes I secured them together). Unfortunately I couldn't get up on them, they kept sliding when I went to roll up them. I might modify them a bit to make the rise more gradual.

Anyone have any other suggestions on how to fix my ramps or other ways to jack the car up enough to get under it while keeping it level?

Not recommended to have all fours whels off the ground on jackstands.
BEST=a hoist
i know, that's no help if you don't hve one.
Next suggestion:
sometimes it's easier to pay somone else.
Drive into a lube place, pay someone to change the tranny/diff fluids. Suck up the $60 or whatever it costs.
if you don't have the proper tools, don't risk your life.
In this case-you are.
How many stories have you heard of a car collapsing on someone whikle they're working on it?
i could tell you a story of my sister's husband's cousin's husband dying under a collapsed car...
Or you could keep on working on trying to find a way with 2x4s...
I dont know you, for all I know, I've never met you, I still don't want you risking your life about it.

[Drake]

You think it's sketchy having the car on 2X8's?
I don't see much diff between that and the ramps

[royalflush313]

couldn't you use your ramps for the front, and jackstands (adjustable I'd assume?) in the back?

Just be careful and don't do something like this....
http://www.freakyfranky.net/bmwstuff/performance/d.jpg

EDIT: Here's a place where you can rent a hoist by the hour.
http://www.you-do.ca/

[Mike 91 318ic]

that's why I take it in, less hassle :boobies:

[fastbmw]

Here's another way to fill the diff and tranny with out 4 jackstands. Just get the car high on the fill side (passenger for the tranny, rear for the diff) and fill the case with about 100 to 200ml more fluid than is recommended, leave the fill plug out and lower the car back to the ground. Let it gravity drain, re-raise the car and then close off the case. I think it's 1.7 litres for the diff and 1.2 litres for the tranny. a fluid pump is the only way to fill the tranny, the diff is also pretty hard to fill without the pump. You can buy a cheap one from cdn tire for like 7 bucks.

[Drake]

Here's another way to fill the diff and tranny with out 4 jackstands. Just get the car high on the fill side (passenger for the tranny, rear for the diff) and fill the case with about 100 to 200ml more fluid than is recommended, leave the fill plug out and lower the car back to the ground.

My only question is that if I try to drain the fluid when it's like this it will it still be able to drain all the old fluid?

[fastbmw]

Yup, Get the car up in the air, undo the filll plug then the drain plug then lower it back to the ground and let it sit. It also helps to speed the process if the fluids are slightly warm. It should drain quite quickly cause there isn't much fluid at all. Make sure you have a jack stand supporting the car if you climb under it.