Jacking a 944 / Placing a 944 on Jack Stands – 2.5L NA

Overview

This guide explains how to safely lift a Porsche 944 (8-valve engine) and place it on jack stands for maintenance or repairs. Properly jacking the vehicle ensures safety and prevents damage to the chassis. This procedure applies to both pre-1985.5 and 1985.5 onwards models, with no model-specific differences noted in the source material. Always work on a flat, stable surface and use caution to avoid injury.

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Tools Required

• Floor jack
• Jack stands (4)
• Hockey puck or small block of wood (optional, for load distribution)
• Wooden boards (optional, for low vehicles)

Step-by-Step Procedure

Step 1: Prepare the Vehicle

1. Park the Porsche 944 on a flat, stable surface to ensure safety during jacking.
2. Engage the parking brake and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels (or front wheels if lifting the rear) to prevent movement.
3. If the vehicle is too low to slide the floor jack under the rocker panels, roll the wheels onto wooden boards to raise the car slightly. This may be necessary for cars with lowered suspension.

Step 2: Jack Up One Side of the Vehicle

4. Locate the primary jacking point at the center of the rocker panel, marked by a diamond-shaped indent at the base. This point lifts both wheels on one side simultaneously.
5. Place the floor jack under the center jacking point. Optionally, place a hockey puck or small block of wood between the jack pad and the jacking point to distribute the load and protect the chassis.
6. Slowly raise the vehicle to the desired height, ensuring the jack remains stable and centered.

Step 3: Place Jack Stands on One Side

7. Position jack stands under the front and rear jacking points on the same side:
   For front jacking points:
   Use the round pads behind the front wheel wells. Place a hockey puck or small block of wood between the jack stand and the pad to distribute the load and prevent floor pan damage. Alternatively, place the jack stand on the frame rail for added stability.

   For rear jacking points:
   Use the points along the bottom edge of the rocker panels just in front of the rear wheel wells. If planning to remove the engine, place the jack stands under the rear torsion tube assembly to prevent the car from tilting.

8. Very slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands, checking that they are properly aligned and stable as the car descends. Use extreme caution, as this is a highly dangerous step.
9. Once the car is securely on the jack stands, fully lower and remove the floor jack.

Step 4: Jack Up the Other Side of the Vehicle

10. Move the floor jack to the center jacking point on the opposite side of the vehicle.
11. Slowly raise the vehicle to the same height as the first side, ensuring the car remains balanced as it lifts off the ground.
12. Position jack stands under the front and rear jacking points on this side, following the same guidelines as in Step 3.
13. Very slowly lower the vehicle onto the jack stands, ensuring proper alignment and stability.
14. Once the car is securely on the jack stands, fully lower and remove the floor jack.

Step 5: Remove the Vehicle from Jack Stands

15. Position the floor jack under the center jacking point on one side of the vehicle.
16. Slowly raise the jack until the weight of the car is lifted off the jack stands on that side.
17. Remove the jack stands from under the vehicle.
18. Very slowly lower the vehicle to the ground, taking care not to dislodge the car from the jack stands on the opposite side. Lowering too quickly can cause damage or injury.
19. Move the floor jack to the center jacking point on the other side and repeat the process: raise the car, remove the jack stands, and slowly lower the vehicle to the ground.

Post Procedure Checklist

• Verify that the vehicle is stable on the ground and not leaning to one side.
• Check the rocker panels and jacking points for any signs of damage or bending.
• Ensure all tools and jack stands are removed from under the vehicle before moving it.
• Test-drive the vehicle for a short distance, approximately 0.6 miles (1 km), to confirm no issues were caused by the jacking process.

Sources

• Clark’s Garage
• Pelican Parts Technical Articles
• Porsche 944 Workshop Manual