Are jacking plates safe, and will these even work?

[Shaka]

http://www.mamotorworkstv.com/vw/product/jacking-plate_106138/

The above link doesn't list the Type 3, but that is typical for MAM to list products and not include us T3 folks. Anyhow my questions are can these (Above) be used, and have people used them with success?

My floor jack isn't low enough to get under my car without driving it on wood blocks. Although I have wood blocks to accomplish this, I'd probably be able to use these plates and avoid the blocks then.

Any advice/feedback appreciated...
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~ Shaka! ~ FB! ~ (1971 VW Squareback) ~

[Mike Fisher]

The jacking plates should work fine. I carry a Subaru Legacy jack for the road.
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http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u236/mr_bojangles500/
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,71,71,71 AT,72,72 AT Parts
56 & 57 oval ragtop $2,500

[Square One]

I've used this exact item, purchased originally from Rocky Mountain, for years. Mostly on type 1's, but also on my squareback. Works very well, but seems the jackpoint channel on the square is not as deep as the ones on the beetles. Someone else on this forum might be able to address this length difference with more experience and knowledge than I.

Also, the circumference of the jacking plate (3.5") is obviously meant for todays smaller floor jacks, and is accommodated best by an equally small jack dish. The jack I have is a larger one, with a larger dish (5.75"). It takes a bit of adjusting when using it with the smaller jacking plate disk.

In any case, just be sure you don't have the lip of your floor jack's dish catch the tip of the jackpoint - you want to be sure that it clears that, and be sure the jacking plate is in as far as it will go into the car's jackpoint channel. I had one slip out once on my square, while I was jacking it up. That'll wake you up quick!
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It's cool to be square!

'71 Squareback FI "Irving"
'74 Super Beetle A/S "Mr. Buggy" (named by my 16 yr old daughter when it was hers)
'77 SB Convertible (oops . . . sold!)

[sharkskinman]

you could always get one of these
Specifically if your Slammed!

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4/71 ~311 "Bettie" (F.I./Auto)

[notchboy]

These work well too for lowered cars. I think ACME sells them.



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Jason "notchboy" Weigel
1963 Pearl White Sunroof Notch
1964 T34 S Convertible
1974 Westfalia Hardtop Campmobile
1977 Westfalia Camper pop-top

the1500club.com
TOOB Member #5

[sharkskinman]

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4/71 ~311 "Bettie" (F.I./Auto)

[vlad01]

I jut stick the trolly jack under the sub frame just under the spring plate cover area.


Definitely the strongest point to lift a type 3 from.

As for the front I stick it under the bulkhead under the main pan bolts area in front of the A pillar. Somewhere around that area.

Of course I try to use the trolly jacks with the rubber pad. Makes a huge difference to not scratching paint, denting and also makes sure is doesn't slip off.


the stock jack point is useless and dangerous imho.

[Erik G]

finally, we agree on something LOL

I wouldnt use the stock jack or the stock jack point unless it was an emergancy. When new, they were ok, but it's asking for trouble. Use a real jack AND JACK STANDS on the beam and rear torsions

[Robert Bills]

My local tire shop uses these jacking plates for VWs and Porsches, and used them on mine when I bought tires a few months ago. They have never experienced a problem.

Thanks for the link. I've wanted to buy one but didn't know where to look.
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Robert Bills
'73 Squareback