Oil Change Almost Failed
 

Hi All,
I just bought a low profile 2 ton jack from Harbor Freight so I could change my oil(my very 1st time). It turned out the low profile wasn't low enough for the Nismo front. So I had to use 2 stock jacks from different cars to jack each side up slightly to sneak in the 2 ton jack. Then I realized I mis-interpreted the front center jack point. Look at the attached picture. Instead of being where the green check mark is, I jacked up the car where the red X is. Could I have damaged anything? That piece felt very solid and didn't bend at all. Later after I realized the problem, I jacked the car up again using the correct jack point.
Attachment 12367
Also, I didn't know where to put the jack stands, so I put them where the "A" arm is. See picture number 2. I figured that was the strongest point. Could I damage anything?
Attachment 12368
Attachment 12369
On one side, the jack actually hit the middle part instead of the bracket.

Oil Change
 

I forgot to mention, On top of that, I bought the wrong filter wrench. So I couldn't remove the filter. Luckily I had a big vice grip. I had to crush the hell out of the old filter to get a grip. The oil change took me like 4 hours. What a pain in the butt, literally.

Your experience kinda makes me not mind so much paying someone else to do it!

Don't worry, the first place you used to jack the car is a reinforced part of the cross brace and is very strong.

As for the oil filter I usually use one of those jar opener grips and remove it by hand (can be difficult). I also have maybe 4 different filter wrenches as every car has its own particular challenge.

It's much easier (and safer) to use ramps for minor maintenance like this........Just sayin...

I just did my first oil change on my 370z last week. But this time I also put the rear of the car on jack stands, to maybe drain more of the old oil out. I have the same low profile jack and I made a little ramp out of 4*8 so I can fit the jack under the car. If you bought the jack stands from harbor freight you can get jack stand pads from them and rest the jack stands on the pinch rails.

Well, I got a nismo. If I get ramps, I would have to use boards as pre-ramps. Also, I wouldn't feel too comfortable driving a manual shift car onto ramps.
But good advice though.

Oil Change
 

So do you think I damaged anything by putting the jack stands here?
After I removed the jacks stands, I noticed there is a scratch on the arm part that's attached to the wheel. Could I've damaged the pin or the rubber bushings inside the arm?

:iagree:

OP, For simple oil changes and such consider getting yourself Race Ramp "Roll-Ups" (Item RR-RU) as sold from this very good vendor..
Low Profile Ramps & Wheel Cribs

With the use of Roll-Ups either for use with the front or rear of your Z you will without problem, easily get your Z, 4" off the ground. With just that you can get under there and do an oil change on your Z. Now, if you find a real need to use your floor jack the Roll-Ups will get your Z up 4" and you will now be able to use your floor jack and one of the pinch rail lift points or at the front or rear lift point. Buy a pinch rail adapter for your floor jack as shown here for use when lifting at pinch rail sites ..
Floor Jack Saddle - Rocker Panel Pinch Weld Adapter New : eBay Motors (item 250588286969 end time May-28-10 13:53:50 PDT)

Reality is many guys, especially the inexperienced get themselves in lots of trouble using jack stands. Trouble like personal injury and or damage to the vehicle. BEST BET is to avoid jack stands for such little jobs like an oil change.

For oil filter removal consider (not a cheapie sheet metal one) but a quality casted metal oil filter end wrench, size 65mm, 14 flute. This size fits the stock Nissan filter and most all the brand filters you would be apt to use on your Z. You could also go with just a decent strap type oil filter removal wrench. Don't ever get the bright idea of driving a screwdriver through the oil filter in an attempt to remove an oil filter. Also, always be 100% sure when you remove the old filter that the rubber gasket is on the old filter once you got the old filter off.

Hey... about your first oil change. Ahhhhh, every guy I know to include myself had fun lets say doing their first oil change. Fortunate guys were the ones that had a Dad or friend that was oil change savvy to be there when they did their first one. Next time will be easier. Also, no, you did no damage other then the scratch. Just don't do that again. 8-)

Using jackstands isn't difficult or dangerous if you use the jacking points. If I were you I would drive onto two 4 * 10 nailed together so you can get your floor Jack under your car then place the Jack stands under the pinch rails.

Jack stands are always something to be very cautious in using regardless! You are very wrong when you say they are aren't dangerous to use. Fact --- MANY get hurt or killed each year using them.

So if anyone has time, they should make a thread that explains how to safely place your car on jack stands. :)

should be fine