Jacking up a Gran Cabrio - best place to put the trolley jack?

[BillyBob]

I'm busy planning my 2nd annual lockdown detail on my car, and this year I want to give the wheels a proper clean which means removing them one (or two) at a time. I have 2 trolley jacks - 1 * 3 ton and 1 * 2 ton - I also have 2 pairs of 6 ton axle stands. Last year I had a half hearted attempt to jack the car up, but bottled it. The car seemed really heavy (which I'm sure it is) and I didn't want to damage it. I also think that the fact I was only using one section of the jacking lever rather than both made the car seem even heavier than it is.

The question I have is - where should I put the pad for the trolley jack? I'm not keen on using any part of the bodywork / sills.

 

[lifes2short]

i dont own one and have no idea if you have other suitable jacking points available, but i'm sure someone will come along shortly with some advice, always safer just to jack one corner at a time if you feel uneasy about using both jacks

 

[Sam McGoo]

Assuming it's the same under there as a GranTurismo, If you look inboard of the marked jacking points on the sills, you will see a hole in the underbody (about 3/4" diameter) That is where you put the trolley jack pads. I've done it many times and its solid.

 

[Ebenezer]

Watching this thread with interest...
Eb

 

[BillyBob]

I have done a little bit of googling and ordered a pair of "Telsa" jack pads which apparently are a good fit for a GT.

My next thought is that to avoid any kind of twisting on the chassis, I am going to jack the car up one side at a time - so front and rear on the passenger side first. I'm not basing this on any advice or knowledge, it just seems like common sense to me.

 

[CatmanV2]

Ummmm. I only ever had one car that I didn't jack one wheel at a time. Although I tried.

I would be utterly gobsmacked if anyone says there's even a teeny tiny chance of twisting any car by jacking one corner at a time.

C

 

[Manc5]

Ummmm. I only ever had one car that I didn't jack one wheel at a time. Although I tried.

I would be utterly gobsmacked if anyone says there's even a teeny tiny chance of twisting any car by jacking one corner at a time.

C

well not since my sisters 1978 caprI she briefly owned in the 80's.. and that was metal fatigue related..

 

[BillyBob]

I kind of agree, but whilst searching I read this:

"Just as something of interest, I have my Grand Cabrio up on the Quickjack for about 8 weeks while I have removed all the interior plastic for refinishing. I learned the hard way that PZeros do not do well sitting in one spot in 90 plus heat. Of interest is the door alignment is definitely off when on the jack points but returns to perfect when back on the tires.

I have heard that the convertible body is much more flexible than the coup (lacking the strength added by the roof) but I’m curious if anyone with a coup has experienced this? "

From here: https://www.maseratilife.com/threads/proper-jacking-points.121757/

 

[CatmanV2]

Nothing is 100% inflexible.

C

 

[Felonious Crud]

Nothing is 100% inflexible.

C

You've met my wife?

 

[Ryandoc]

Right hands up then who’s bought axle stands years ago and never used them.

Where exactly is the best place to put axle stands then? If I jack up where am I plonking the axle stands on basically any car???

Yes yes I know I’m showing my amateur side. Bet non of you have changed the battery in a 355 in your garage though pfffft lol (it’s in the wheel arch )

 

[CatmanV2]

I always used to pop mine under a wishbone fixing.

Never knowingly had any issues

C

 

[midlifecrisis]

Right hands up then who’s bought axle stands years ago and never used them.

Where exactly is the best place to put axle stands then? If I jack up where am I plonking the axle stands on basically any car???

Yes yes I know I’m showing my amateur side. Bet non of you have changed the battery in a 355 in your garage though pfffft lol (it’s in the wheel arch )

Wish I had a 355 to change anything on. I've had all four of my SGS Axle stands in use under one car whilst cleaning the wheels. I found it safer than having one wheel up and the risk of it rolling off. Yes I have chocks to stop that but I prefer a level car.

 

[Ryandoc]

Unfortunately it wasn’t my 355 lol a good friend who’s had it probably 10 years now. I have driven well over a thousand miles in it myself though which was nice lol

See if always thought putting them under actual suspension components, wishbones etc could put undue stress on the parts? Seen people putting them on box sections of metal that just happen to be available on some cars but I’ve never felt confident enough to risk it. Which is daft as I then work off the car jack. Admittedly I have a beast of one and never work under the car but still

 

[midlifecrisis]

Unfortunately it wasn’t my 355 lol a good friend who’s had it probably 10 years now. I have driven well over a thousand miles in it myself though which was nice lol

See if always thought putting them under actual suspension components, wishbones etc could put undue stress on the parts? Seen people putting them on box sections of metal that just happen to be available on some cars but I’ve never felt confident enough to risk it. Which is daft as I then work off the car jack. Admittedly I have a beast of one and never work under the car but still

I jack up on the jacking points and used the subframe for the axle stands, prefereable near the chassis and let the car gently rest on the stand.

 

[CatmanV2]

Unfortunately it wasn’t my 355 lol a good friend who’s had it probably 10 years now. I have driven well over a thousand miles in it myself though which was nice lol

See if always thought putting them under actual suspension components, wishbones etc could put undue stress on the parts? Seen people putting them on box sections of metal that just happen to be available on some cars but I’ve never felt confident enough to risk it. Which is daft as I then work off the car jack. Admittedly I have a beast of one and never work under the car but still

Well that's why I pick the mounting points. It's where the weight of the car goes through anyway (at least my understanding)
Never on the wishbone 'span' though!
Box sections can be iffy as well for sure.
C