Using a Car lift on the 370z ( lift points)
 

I’ve searched everywhere to find this answer and it does not seem there is a thread regarding it. I’ve lifted my Z for years at home using jack and jack stands on the pinch weld. However when i use my buddies lift it is extremely hard to get all the lift arms to retract far enough to fit on the pinch weld. Sometimes it takes up to 30 minutes just to get the car on the lift because I’m not at the right angle or the blocks are not positioned right( I’m lowered). So these last couple of times i have been lifting from a different point in the front and am still using the pinch weld in the rear. The spot I’m referring to is pictured and is near both catalyctic converters on the outside. (99.9% sure it’s the frame) before lifting all the way up i do a shake test on the car and which it has passed every time. I’m wanting to know does anyone have experience from lifting here? I cannot find a answer from Nissan but I have seen shops using this point to lift other Z’s. Nissans schematic shows to only lift from pinch welds.

10 second search..... https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-j...hitno78899.gif




http://www.the370z.com/exterior-inte...act-point.html

I often find Google search finds it more easily in these forums than the forums own search system. :icon14:

Also this will help searching on google, Site:the370z.com Search subject Here

OP I have not had to use that point when jacking the car, so I cant offer anything of value to that question.

Ditto. Just make a quick Google search. It will even pull up images; e.g., https://www.google.com/search?q=370z...points&ie=&oe=

Google's so powerful its scary.

I'm always impressed by how people can find this site without knowing what a search engine is. Because it takes more effort to come to this site, log in, start a new thread, fill out a subject, then write out a few sentences, and then check back if anyone has replied. As apposed to putting the question into a search engine and getting an answer right away. Don't mind me it's just the 2nd post like this today the other one being "I just bought a Z what kind of oil do I put in it?"

I really did search. Please read my post and look at the picture. I cannot find a thread discussing this lift point yet i see shops using it online.

I've read through all of the threads that any thorough search on this subject would have revealed, and I'm not sure this particular jack point is spoken about in any detail. I would argue the information in this thread has actual merit though it probably could have just been merged with another thread on the discussion of jack points.

OP, I occasionally use that location for my jack stands because that allows me to use my floor jack to lift the car at the pinch weld and then place the jack stand all at once. I'm sure it's fine to use them on a lift. However, I usually just drive one front wheel up onto a flat piece of 2x12, which gives enough clearance for my jack to reach the front garage jack point which allows me to lift the whole front end and place both front stand stands with one lift.

I’m not referring to the pinch welds. I don’t see anywhere in that post where it shows a lift contacting the point I’m reffering to.

I think the problem we're having, it that we don't really understand your question. And your photo is hard to interpret.

FWIW, you can essentially lift your car from any part of its frame. But the recommended the jack stand lift points provide the best stability and are, therefore, the safest points.

Okay I’ll try to find a better picture of the spot I’m reffering to. I just wanted other opinions/ experiences from lifting at this point because there is no thread discussing it that I could find.

Here’s another photo. The best i could find online. Using this point made it 100x easier for me to get my car on the lift. Anyone used this point before ?

That is where i set the lift on mine.

Put your subject into google, 1st hit click, 3 post click link, tons of excellent pic of the lift points. Those are the correct points to lift the car, use of other points is possible if you don't have to google them to figure them out ie you know what your doing.

Lol okay man i don’t see anything wrong with my thread but clearly it’s angered you sorry about that. Thanks for the somewhat helpful advice

Okay sweet thank you

I understand your question. I've used these points instead of pinch welds when servicing my car and never have issues. I've seen it used at the garage I've been using as well. The jackpoint thread showing the PW JDM image of the Z on the lift resembles the same point.

Okay cool. And yes but that image shows him using a pad on his lift arm to contact the pinch weld in th front. I thought it was the spot i was reffering to at first as well

My car rocks on the oem jack points on my lift. If i pushed the rear end, removed the diff, pulled down on the front etc etc the car would fall flat on its face in a horrible crash.

Dang that’s crazy. It’s always just a PITA for me to get the car on the lift using the oem jack points because the arms won’t retract far enough unless i line it up perfect. Even then I never really felt confident putting it there because the pinch welds arnt long enough and i can’t get the lift arm pad to contact the whole pinch weld. The 370z’s have such a short wheelbase

Well you did remove almost everything from the rear half of the car, even a good portion of the fuel tank. It's not too surprising the center of gravity is almost in front of the front pinch welds. What are your corner weights now?

Thanks for the helpful replies everyone. Feel much more confident knowing others use this point as well. :tiphat:

I dont know, haven't weighed in a while. The roll cage added a good 100-200lbs back there though.

I took a 2x4 block though, cut out a line in the center and pushed that up against the pinch welds and thinned the block so its flush with the bottom of the car. Now when the jack pushes up its putting the weight on a 3.5x3.5" block under the body and the weld. No worries now.

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With a complete flat bottom i know my aim points the 4 square screws holding the flat panel to the block.

That’s pretty smart syno. Never thought about doing it that way

Does anyone keep a set of rubber pads to bring with the car when it's going to be put on a hydraulic lift -- to protect the pinch welds from damage? Just bought my first Z, and am anticipating wear and tear from the metal arms and/or sloppy positioning by mechanics. I see on Amazon both the slotted "hockey puck" type (more for rolling jacks) and also rectangular pads. Which would be best? I imagine impatient mechanics probably wouldn't want to fiddle with these to get them just right before lifting the car...

I have always just used a square cut of 2x4. Works like a charm at keeping the pinch looking great.

I wonder if anyone produces pads that you can clamp onto the pinch before leaving your car somewhere? If it was already stuck on the car, it might help enforce technicians to use it.

That would be awesome especially for when sending the car to the shop. I have rubber pads on top of my lift arms/ jack but they arnt that thick. My pinch weld still looks good beside one spot on the right rear.