Trolley Jack Recommendations for a 911.2 with Sports Suspension

Carlton · Jul 12, 2017

This will be my 1st Porsche so I am starting afresh with the intended purchase of a new trolley jack. (I sold my previous car jack which was a scissor type and I did not like it).

For the winter and spring months I intend to install a winter tyre set on my 911.2 S4. Having the rear steering this limits me on the options available so these need to be 20-inch ‘Carrera S’ alloys. Also having the sports suspension the car is a further 20mm lower than standard so this may restrict the height of the trolley jack?

I am thinking of getting an aluminium Racing Trolley Jack so it is not as heavy as the standard steel trolley jack versions. However I’m not sure if I also need a low profile version (which are more expensive) and if I need to get a dedicated Polyurethane jack pad for the 911 as well?

I know that the Porsche dealership do offer a service (at a cost) to store and fit the winter wheel set, however I would prefer to do this myself if I can, and it should be cheaper in the long run.

However I am thinking the rears will be noticeably heavy and tricky to fit as there is very little clearance between the rear steering mechanism and the alloy wheel. Putting the rears on my previous car was difficult mainly due to the weight of them being 9.5J, however using a wheel align tool (threaded long studs) made it somewhat easier. The Porsche rear alloys are noticeably wider being 11.5J so I am expecting these to be even heavier than on my previous car alloys 9.5Jx19 ?

The following makes of trolley jacks have been recommended:
* Clarke CTJ2500QLG 2.5 Tonne Aluminium Garage Jack
* SGS Engineering 2.5 Ton Aluminium Racing Trolley Jack
* Sealey Trolley Jack 2.5 tonne Aluminium/Steel Rocket Lift

Considering the weight of the car is 1,565 kg I am assuming I will be needing at least a 2 ton trolley jack?

Your suggestions would be welcome, thank you.

ralphmusic · Jul 12, 2017

I found the Clarke Aluminium jacks to be robust and well made. I bought a set of jack pads (pucks) via 911uk.com and these are now sold on fleabay (low and normal profile)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-x-Porsche-Jack-Pad-Polyurethane-911-964-993-996-7-991-Boxster-Cayman-LOW-PRO-/253011349305?hash=item3ae8a6cf39:g:tZMAAOSwdzVXrgtT

As for the saddle height, I guess you just need to measure the car's clearance with / without the jack pads.

Motorhead · Jul 12, 2017

Any of those jacks will be fine, subject to your clearance requirements. Here's an alternative jacking pad in aluminium:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PORSCHE-JACKING-PAD-JACK-996-997-911-933-964-928-944-930-BOXTER-CAYMAN-TURBO-/152619543462?hash=item2388d56ba6

Regarding your point about struggling with mounting and dismounting the wheels, mounting pins are available which screw into the wheel bolt holes:

http://www.design911.co.uk/fu/prod7429/Wheel-Mounting-Tool-for-Porsche/

Jeff

AndrewCS · Jul 12, 2017

I have the SGS 1.5ton Aluminium Racing Trolley Jack, it has 10mm more clearance than the 2.5ton version and is an excellent piece of kit. Doubt that you`d require the 2.5ton version.

I don`t use a jacking pad as the jack has a rubber face although I will now consider one as it will help clearance for an adjacent brake line on the rear NS of the Cayman.

pwebb · Jul 12, 2017

Hopefully Lancerlot will be along in a minute and refer you to his guide. I can't find the thread with the search function here.

Carlton · Apr 2, 2018

I finished up buying a Quickjack lift very happy with it.

Some pics with the 911 on the Quickjack 5000SLX

As you can see these is just enough clearance for the Quickjack with the provided rubber mounting pads! (My C4S has the 20mm lower Sports suspension)

Once lifted there is easy enough clearance to work underneath the car if needed!

Now Finally got my winter tyres on []

I know this over kill at the moment but swapping wheels is so much easier than a trolley jack.

Here is a Video in of the QuickJack lifting and lowering the C4S in action: https://youtu.be/F25LXBXB2TE

It can be stored without taking much room when not in use.

MickHudson · Apr 3, 2018

Carlton
Do you have a reference to where this lifting system can be purchased please. ?

Many thanks

Carlton · Apr 3, 2018

MickHudson said:
Carlton
Do you have a reference to where this lifting system can be purchased please. ?

Many thanks

Hi Mick Yes the UK importer is at www.quickjacklift.co.uk Facebook https://www.facebook.com/QuickJackUK/ I bought mine when they were doing a promotion, (£130 off the normal price) they may well be doing another promotion with reduced price at Goodwood "Festival of Speed" in July. There are lots of videos on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/rangerquickjack/

Motorhead · Apr 3, 2018

Many thanks for the update on this Carlton - I've been pondering a purchase for some time and it's good to get some first-hand feedback.

I presume that yours is the BL-5000SLX version? What are you using to power the pump - a battery or a jump starter pack?

Jeff

Carlton · Apr 3, 2018

Motorhead said:
I presume that yours is the BL-5000SLX version? What are you using to power the pump - a battery or a jump starter pack?

Jeff

Hi Jeff
Yes its the BL-5000SLX and I am pleased that I got this version and not the shorter version as this is just right for the 911 mounting points. I purchased a small car battery and the leads which are semi-permanently secured. I did have a few issues initially with the QuckJack, however their customer server was very good. On un-packaging one of the lifts units I noticed there was some water damage to the cardboard and this has penetrated through and some of the exposed metal had early signs of rust (It was covered in heavy duty clingfilm so I could not see the damage). However they were very sorry and organised a replacement pair of lift units to arrive. On installation I noticed there was a discrepancy in the instructions and the videos I have seen regarding the power polarity, apparent the US made an error in the manual booklet and so this was easy resolve. One of the right angle hydraulic piston connectors was not able to screw into its fixing as it was hitting the metal frame. So just needed unscrew the hydraulic piston pin to give more room to screw in the connector and then re-attach the hydraulic piston pin to the frame. Finally on testing the Quckjack the units would not descend on their own so I ended up standing on them to add some weight. (In the videos I have seen the Quckjack the units do descend without any weight on them?) However when used for real the car provides the weight and for the last bit the compressed air cylinders provide the final pressure to collapse the Quckjack. What I would say the Quckjack units are not light (76 lbs. / 35 kg each unit)!

Bought some short battery leads and terminal covers from e-day

Right angle hydraulic piston connectors very close to the metal frame

One minor design issue that I have discovered when I am wheeling the metal frame along the floor the quick release hydraulic connectors also drag along the floor as well so I just cover these with form installation tubing as little boots! so to prevent any contaminates near quick release hydraulic connectors.

What I would say make sure you test the operation of raising and lowering the Quickjacks before attempting on the car! so you can property bleed the hydraulic fluid and get any residual air out as this prevents a smooth operation on lifting and lowering of the car.