jacking up a mk 3 - advice

**golfvr6** · 13-02-2006, 09:33 AM

sharing some experience with problems jacking up a mk3

started with a simple tyre change using the supplied cantilevered arm jack (the type that is like half a scissors type jack). the thing has to extend sooo high that the jack moved out of vertical and the bracket that engages with the car (a bent piece of metal forming a slot) actually bent open to far - and guess what - the car slipped off the jack!. and bent the sill on the car where the jack mounts

took it to the dealer and he replicated the problem and replaced the skirting.

this jack one of the worst things vw ever came up with. why not go with a proper cut or cast metal mounting bracket to prevent deformation and better still a convetional scissors type jack that you can find in any japanese car that is always going to go straight up?

advice is to use a trolley jack (but you have to go further inside the car to reach its suggested reinforced jacking points)

imported_brackie · 13-02-2006, 09:37 AM

Can't believe that VAG would stuff up so majorly. Suggest a trip to the wreckers and find a jack form another make of car that will do the job that you want. Can't really carry a trolley jack around with you!

**golfvr6** · 13-02-2006, 09:46 AM

yep that is another good option

i tried a honda scissors jack but you need to do a bit of cutting and welding to make the mounting slot wide enough and tall enough to get the same effect.