Jacking a 944 / Placing a 944 on Jack Stands

Overview

This guide explains how to safely lift your Porsche 944 S / S2 (16v engine) using a floor jack and secure it on jack stands. Properly jacking and supporting the car is essential for performing maintenance or repairs, ensuring both your safety and the vehicle’s stability.

Pink and blue text represents links to additional resources, tools, parts, and partner websites.

Tools Required

• Jack stands (4)
• Floor jack
• Hockey puck (optional, solid rubber)
• Small block of wood (optional, for load distribution)
• Boards (optional, for raising the car if it’s too low for the jack)

Step-by-Step Procedure

Step 1: Prepare to Lift One Side

1. Locate the primary jacking point at the center of the rocker panel on one side of your Porsche 944 S / S2. Look for a diamond-shaped indent at the base of the rocker—this is the safest spot to lift both wheels on that side at once.
2. If your floor jack has a low enough profile, place it under the center jacking point. Optionally, put a solid rubber hockey puck on the jack pad to protect the rocker and distribute the load.
3. If your car’s ride height is too low for the jack to slide under, roll the wheels onto boards to raise the vehicle slightly, then position the jack.
4. Raise the side of the car to your desired height using the floor jack.

Step 2: Position Jack Stands on the First Side

5. For the front, place a jack stand under the round pad just behind the front wheel well. Use a small block of wood or hockey puck between the jack stand and the pad to avoid bending the floor pan and ensure even load distribution.
6. For the rear, position a jack stand along the bottom edge of the rocker panel just in front of the rear wheel well. This works well for most repairs on the S / S2.
7. Very slowly lower the floor jack, watching the jack stands to ensure they’re correctly aligned under the jacking points as the car settles onto them. Take your time—this is a critical safety step.
8. Once the car is securely on the jack stands, lower the jack fully and remove it from under the vehicle.

Step 3: Lift and Secure the Other Side

9. Move to the opposite side of the car and position the floor jack under the center jacking point on the rocker panel.
10. Raise this side to match the height of the first side, ensuring the car stays balanced as it lifts off the ground.
11. Place jack stands under the same front and rear jacking points as the first side: the round pad behind the front wheel well (with a wood block or hockey puck) and the rocker panel edge in front of the rear wheel well.
12. Slowly lower the car onto the jack stands, double-checking their positioning as the weight settles.
13. When the car is fully supported and stable on all four jack stands, lower the jack completely and remove it.

Step 4: Remove the Car from Jack Stands

14. Position the floor jack under the center jacking point on one side of the rocker panel.
15. Raise the jack until the weight is off the jack stands on that side, then carefully remove both the front and rear jack stands.
16. Very slowly lower the car to the ground. Go slow to avoid dislodging the jack stands on the other side, which could damage the car or cause injury.
17. Move the jack to the other side, raise it under the center jacking point, remove the remaining jack stands, and lower the car fully to the ground.

Post Procedure Checklist

• Ensure the car is level and stable on the ground after lowering.
• Check the rocker panels and jacking points for any signs of damage or bending.
• Confirm all tools and jack stands are removed from under the vehicle.

Sources

• Clark’s Garage
• Pelican Parts
• Porsche 944 Workshop Manual, Volume 1
• Youtube