Best jack points

[Pike]

Figure this might be a good discussion for those who know and those who want to know. I normally use the four "pinch" seams or the two dents along the base right around the wheels. And something was brought to my attention that inspired this thread also.

The rubber grommets are for a lift. They are only effective if there is equal pressure on all four lifting points at the same time. If you put a solo jack on one of the rear points, the weight of the car will crush the domed structure it is part of.

Is that true? Discuss.

[SpoolinA2]

That is somewhat true...in my experience...you NEVER want to lift a VW/Audi on the pinch welds. There is very little if any extra support on those areas and the metal bends very, very easily. Your best bet for the rear is to go on the underside of the car, just in front of where the rear subframe bolts to the chasis. For the front i reccomend going directly on the subframe right next to the control arms. I've used these points for years with zero problems except for maybe a little undercoating getting scraped off in the rear...but you can always just blast a little more on there

[A2Anthony]

the subframe is the best bet in the front if you're not too low to get at it.... i think kevin has to drive up on wood or something.. damn is he low. asphalt owns him.

i wish the p/o of the golf knew about the pinch welds- i've got the common 'jack modded' side skirts.. looks real good

in the rear i usually go just ahead of the rear swingarm mount like chuck said... man is he smart.

on parts cars i've certainly lifted via the pinch welds with limited success... i've also lifted with a small 2x4 (8" long) on top of the lack and lifted by the floor pan (gasp!!) just south of where the b-pillar meets the base of the car... this works if you want to remove wheels in a hurry, but i wouldn't go around doing it to something you car about..

~A

[Spirare]

That sounds great and all... but where do you jack if you need to drop the sub-frame? Question #2: Where do you position jack stands?
You think using the pinch welds is dangerous on a jetta or Golf? Jacking a fatass pig of a Passat on those welds makes me sweat! Nevermind doing it on GRAVEL!
Jacking on the pinch welds makes me really nervous but I have found scenarios where I don't have a choice. Like adjusting the lower control arms or doing suspension work. It is alot easier to drop the strut assembly out if you first lower the subframe. Those 2.5" of added clearance make all the difference. So given that where would you put the jack? On the oilpan?