[EricGregory]

Yeah, I'm curious what the best way to lift the front of the car is. I did an oil change on my '08 yesterday and used ramps. Not too much looked sturdy enough to use as a central location to lift the front of the car prior to placing the jack stands. Jacking by the diff in the rear is fine, I'd imagine as everyone else says. I do that with my Alfa all the time. Just gotta make sure you're on the diff housing and not on the cover :-)

So, in summation, any advice on something on the front of an '08 STI to get it high enough for stands?

As always, thanks much guys!

Eric

[austinpike]

Originally Posted by EricGregory

So, in summation, any advice on something on the front of an '08 STI to get it high enough for stands?

Does the '08 not have the jacking plate in the front center? Maybe they added more plastic, covering it up?

[STI Sibb]

I tried the OP's method which very closely resembles the method in the 07 service manual. I had a little difficulty getting the jack started in the front since there is so little clearance. I also had trouble getting my Craftsman Professional jack stands under the pinch welds in the front. The back came up with ease.

I bought a lift similar to the OP's. Mine is an electric blue low profile aluminum jack with a 3,000 lb lift rating. I bought it at Autozone and noticed it was a Harbor Freight distributed product. I also saw a very similar model at Walmart (also probably Harbor Freight). Cost $119.00. The Craftsmen model shown in the OP's post might be the same as well, but I can't confirm. It looks the same. The jack is very touchy when releasing it so be careful. It comes down fast. It also lets out a nice whine noise near the bottom of its travel.

Now, I need a backup in case 1 of the stands fails. Any ideas? Cinder blocks came to mind under the jack plates.

[austinpike]

Originally Posted by STI Sibb

I also saw a very similar model at Walmart (also probably Harbor Freight). Cost $119.00.

fwiw, I have seen very similar jacks at Costco, Harbor Feight, a few other places. Costco - Torin Aluminum Racing Jack 1.5 Ton

Similar to, but not exactly the same as the Craftsman. That isn't saying much, as the Craftsmans are kind of known for taking a dump after a couple years.

[NewShockerGuy]

Originally Posted by austinpike

I'm sure they work fine, though I have also read that people don't like to place stands on the subframe. But I wouldn't say the jack stand points are "Subaru recommended" - I have never seen anything official from Subaru on that point.

Here are the jack stand pics, re-hosted. The actual jack points used in that thread (front plate and rear diff) have been shown already.

The last picture is money.

I had my jackstands there but wasn't sure...
Changing exhaust hangers now and don't really want the car to fall on me... Only using two jack stands in the rear since that's all I have :-(

-Nigel

[swr999]

Originally Posted by austinpike

... some people use a chunk of wood or hockey puck between the jack and the diff to prevent damage...

Just a note of caution: Putting a block of wood on the jack 'cradle' can be very dangerous. Most jack cradles are cupped. This tends to keep the part of the car you are jacking on, like the bottom of the diff, from sliding sideways and slipping off the jack. With a piece of wood in place, there's nothing to really keep the diff (or other part) from slipping sideways. If it slips, you are facing probable damage to the car, or worse, serious personal injury. Stay safe; don't use a piece of wood.

[Digitalfiend]

Anyone watch this year's WRC footage where one of the drivers was working under the car and the jack failed? The only thing that saved him was that they put a tire under the side of the car for safety. I never really thought about that until now. The car falling onto a wheel would definitely suck, but I'd rather have that little bit of extra protection in the extremely rare case of a jack stand failing (we should never be using just the jack to hold up the car...though it's obvious why they do it on the side of the road in the WRC).

[austinpike]

^^^ If I am actually working under the car, in addition to the jackstands I always throw some wheels, tires, or whatever I have lying around under there for backup.

[STidriver12]

hey for the front, do we can jack the bolt area by the frames cross eachother near the front wheels area? that what i did on the car lift in autolab for my tire rotation after too much snow donuts

[samleeiii]

Originally Posted by EricGregory

Yeah, I'm curious what the best way to lift the front of the car is. I did an oil change on my '08 yesterday and used ramps. Not too much looked sturdy enough to use as a central location to lift the front of the car prior to placing the jack stands. Jacking by the diff in the rear is fine, I'd imagine as everyone else says. I do that with my Alfa all the time. Just gotta make sure you're on the diff housing and not on the cover :-)

So, in summation, any advice on something on the front of an '08 STI to get it high enough for stands?

As always, thanks much guys!

Eric

I would also like to know where the best place to jack the front of the car is for the 08. I do not believe there is a jack plate like in the older STi.

Is everyone using the area for the spare tire jack for their jack stands? It seems like it'd bend after some time.