I've done something idiotic... advice please!

[AndyW1973]

Well, in a moment of sheer stupidity I forgot that a couple of weeks ago, when I jacked the car up, I used the rear central jacking point. Today I proceeded to jack the rear up using the standard sill jacking point and then put my stand under the chassis rail (runs from front wheel to back wheel) box section just forward of the rear wheel. Unsurprisingly, when I lowered the car the 4 inch block of wood on top of the stand disappeared into the box section creating a nice dent []

I have no real explanation as to why I did this. I knew as I put the stand under there that it didn't seem right, but I had convinced myself that must have been where I put it before. They should have gone under the factory jack points, and I should have jacked the car from the central point.

My question are:

1) Will the dent cause serious structural issues?

2) Will it pass an MOT?

So annoyed with myself []

 

[homerdog]

If the dent was caused so easily, I doubt very much that it was structural and MOT will be fine. Just laugh about it and feel relieved you can't see it, sh*t happens! []

 

[AndyW1973]

Cheers!

I worry too much about these things! I'm sure that in a year or two this will be one of those things that I look back on and laugh about because it is part of what gives the car "character", but at the current time I'm as sick as a parrot for doing something so stupid!

We live and learn....

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Central Point?

Where would this be? The specified points are those at front and rear of each sill (as you say). I'm wondering where you mean by central point?

 

[AndyW1973]

At the back of the car, as detailed in this thread:

http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic/20922-alternate-jack-points/

The one I should have used is labeled in the photo in red as 'RainyDay Jack Pt'. I've had no issues when using this point.

Also discussed here:

http://www.rainydaymagazine.com/RDM2006/RainyDayGarage/NEBoxsterTectFest/RDG_NewEnglandBoxsterTechFestDay.htm

It looks like you can even buy a jacking point adapter specifically for lifting at this location:

http://www.planet-9.com/reviews/miscellaneous/p382-fabspeed-jack-box-and-tow-hooks-tie-downs.html

 

[Chris_in_the_UK]

Depending how badly bent this is, it might affect the geometry on that side.

 

[Mark_Bennett]

Thanks Andy,

Personally I've never felt comfortable enough to jack by these points, but have used them to place axle stands, just touching, in case the jack itself failed.
I's a pain that Porsche seem to think everyone has a 4 post lift at home [&:]

 

[AndyW1973]

I managed to get a couple of photos of the damage this evening as I was in the process of changing the control arms.

The area in question is in the red circle. The arrow is where the jack was placed and where the damage occured. You can see how this area is no longer parallel to the area just behind it.

 

[Paul Dunster]

That looks like to boot floor, if so will not be structural and you may be able to knock out from inside. I would put some paint/protection where the paint looks damaged.
Paul

 

[Tony Daniel]

Hope you have not done any series damage Andy.

When putting my car on stands I find that if I jack the car from the rear jacking point it lifts the whole side of the car high enough for me to get my axle stand under the front jacking point, then I repeat on the other side. If this works for you will depend on the size of your jack and stands though.
On the rare occasion I put the car on four stands I use the jack with an old hockey puck and use the PCA jack point A or B's. The rainy day point is mainly to bracket the exhaust too.