What Jack Do You Carry In Your Trunk?

[Nollywood]

As the thread title suggests.

As any Audi owner would know, the stock jack supplied with our cars is probably one of the most dangerous tools any manufacturer could include with a car. The design hasn't changed since its inception in the late 1970's, when it was supplied with the B2 Audi 80 / Fox. The finish, metal and color may be different today, but it's still the same murderous implement it's always been.

With the Audi Fox, the design flaws were less pronounced, as the Fox was quite a light car, with the heaviest weighing in at around 850 kgs. Today, modern Audi's are much heavier, but Audi has not made any adjustments to the lifting jack. I remember changing a flat tyre on my 2002 D2 S8, and the jack actually began to bend, before the front tyre was even clear of the ground. I ended up grabbing a lift to the nearest tool shop to purchase a 2-ton hydraulic trolley jack.

With my 2005 D3 A8 4.2 Quattro Sport, I never even attempted using the Audi supplied jack, preferring to use a trolley jack at home. I never had a puncture away from home, and if I did, I would have purchased a bottle jack, or got the AA out.

On another occasion, while I was changing a flat tyre on my old B5 1.9 TDI by the side of the road, I had the wheel off, when a mini van roared past, doing around 80 mph. The resultant slipstream was enough to blow the unsteady car off the jack, which collapsed. I just had time to snatch my hand back, before it was mashed under the car. The jack actually punched a jagged hole in the floor pan as it twisted under the car.

I've never used the Audi jack again.

Trolley jacks are great for home use, but hardly practical to carry around in the car. It's too big, and there's no real way to store it neatly, despite many coming in a fancy plastic carry case these days.

So, hydraulic bottle jacks. Great for lifting and supporting, though cars running really low can be a problem. A decent 2-ton jack may be ideal, as the ram is most likely to have enough threaded adjustment to have it really low. 10-ton jacks are likely to be taller, and may not fit under slammed cars, even if the top is screwed right in.

I've just ordered a 10-ton jack, as I won't be running my car really low.

So guys, what jack do you carry in your trunk, as your car jack? Trolley? Bottle? Scissor? Audi's finest widow maker? Let's see yours!

[jacobsen]

I used the audi Jack for the first time on my vacation in the middle of nowhere when my shift linkage got jammed up somehow. I couldn't get out of 5th gear and had to sit on the side of the road and let me tell you something. Have you ever been scared? I got the car up I jiggle the linkage from under the car which seems to break the linkage free so I can shift again. But I was scared. When I got home I threw that back in this little case in the spare hole and it took out my Mitsubishi Galant scissor jack. And put that in the Audi. It's not the greatest design either but it's a hell of a lot safer.
I wonder how many people have been killed or injured trying to use that stupid Audi Jack.
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[Nollywood]

^^^ You actually put your body (or parts of it) underneath an Audi sitting on a widowmaker?

You're a brave man, but damn. That was a risk I wouldn't take, or advise anyone else to take either.

[jacobsen]

^^^ You actually put your body (or parts of it) underneath an Audi sitting on a widowmaker?

You're a brave man, but damn. That was a risk I wouldn't take, or advise anyone else to take either.

Someone is going to get killed if they haven't already. It's definitely the most dangerous experience hands down I've had with my car.

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[JKCutler3]

I keep a small 2 ton jack in my emergency tool bag with all of the sockets and tool I'd need if I had to change something outside of my garage.









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[Chemmie]

That small trolley jack shown above is the best option IMO.

[Audibot]

I used to carry a trolley jack with me, but I think I've had issues once over my driving career. I pay for roadside on my insurance, so I've decided next time, I might as well use it.

On a side note, a few months ago as I was coming on the interstate I saw a Jeep drive by with all sorts of sparks emanating from underneath it. She pulled over and I pulled over ahead of her, and wound up using the widow-maker because the jack in her car was inaccessible. Actually wasn't as a bad as I thought. Couldn't free the futon or whatever the f she ran over -- car was not tall enough and didn't have adaptive suspension.

[5ktq]

Cheap stamped steel scissor usually, though I haven't put it in this car yet.

I've never dumped a car off the widowmakers yet, and I've used a lot of them. but I sure don't trust them. Good to put a piece of log or whatever for safety

[Audibot]

I don't think the one in my allroad is any thicker...

[heywier427]

An aluminum jack from an older q45.

[EuroEnduro]

A scissor jack from a newer VW. I believe it's from a passat

[Spike00513]

I think I used it before when my old jack was too high to slide far under the car where I wanted, so I first lifted it a bit from the frame-rail with widowmaker.

But otherwise, like you said. Slipstream/wind.
and if a car hits yours, while on a widowmaker.

Or, if a pedestrian walks by and doesn't hold their breath.

Didn't Audi do away with this in newer cars, that now have scissor-types, and maybe a different trunk compartment with storage in the emergency wheel, or do they even have one, and is it a full-size regular or not, like a space-saver or something?
B7 RS4 for example, has no spare 19x9 out back, it's just a foam box and a battery.

Maybe other similar cars have a widowmaker design, but bigger and looks heavier duty. Touareg maybe? But it might not fit in the stock compartment.

That small trolley jack shown above is the best option IMO.

Looks good with the bag

[NYDCB]

Some cheap Autozone 2 ton jack. Came with 2 jack stands too! It gets the job done. 59.99!

[trailrazer]

I got a flat last month... I thought I had my small floor jack and tool bag, nope it was in the 4runner. Luckily I was in a parking lot at work. The factory jack worked, but I didn't waste time changing out the flat.


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[Lauri0112]

Last week used the widowmaker to jack up a a6 c5 to the highest position. Long story short, front wheel was inside a manhole and needed to get the car high enough to slip the cover back on.
Got the job done. Event at the highest position I rocked the car and it was steady.
So, anyway. I use the widowmaker. As long as you have a jack stand and use the jack only to jack it up. It's fine in my opinion.

[Audi 4 Life]

While I was using the stock Audi jack to do something on my B6 i used to have one day I forget how it broke and I forget what saved me cuz it happened so long ago I think I hadn't completely pulled the tire off the hub but I had my legs under the car and would be in a wheel chair if not dead right now. When that shit broke my heart seriously stopped. Was so freaking scary!!!!!

DO NOT EVER USE THE STOCK JACK!!!!!!!!!!!


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[seanf86]

One and only time I had a flat in my B5 I called my dad who brought me his trolly jack 45 min outside the city since my widowmaker sunk into the soft gravel shoulder of the highway. All the other Audis I've never had a flat or used the factory jack, I have roadside that will tow me up to 320km and change my tire for me on the side of the road. If I get a flat thats what I'm doing since I pay for it.

[JKCutler3]

I used the stock jack when i first got the car. I forgot to set the e-brake and as soon as I had the front wheels off the ground it rolled back a little bit and bam! the jack slipped out and the car came crashing down. I set the e-brake and raised the car again but still wasn't comfortable doing any work. Thats why I now keep the trolly jack in by trunk.

[tHatOne guY]

D@mn, never realized the stock jack was so dangerous. Luckily i've used the stock B6 jack one 2x now since owning my car. Used the B5 jack 2x as well in about 5 years of ownership before I sold that one. Never had an issue of it falling, changed a tire at night even and still no problem that I noticed. Of course though when I'm changing a tire I tend to get it done quite quickly and not waste any unnecessary time with the car on the jack. Will probably look for a Passat jack now though as insurance.

[JKCutler3]

I should add I was in my garage on flat concrete. I feel like if you are torquing and thing down with hand tools the car can fall off the stock jack very easily.


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[Seerlah]

Walmart Special on Aisle 3! Tested on grass and worked flawlessly (helped motorist pulled over on side grass on Palisades Pkwy in NY/NJ, for those familiar).

old pic

[rocket1420]

^^^ You actually put your body (or parts of it) underneath an Audi sitting on a widowmaker?

You're a brave man, but damn. That was a risk I wouldn't take, or advise anyone else to take either.

I think you mean stupid.

[rocket1420]

I used the stock jack when i first got the car. I forgot to set the e-brake and as soon as I had the front wheels off the ground it rolled back a little bit and bam! the jack slipped out and the car came crashing down. I set the e-brake and raised the car again but still wasn't comfortable doing any work. Thats why I now keep the trolly jack in by trunk.

I don't work under a car supported by ANY jack.

[Spike00513]

I don't work under a car supported by ANY jack.

I heard even some stands can come apart at the welds, and that jacks hold hydraulic pressure with o-ring type rubber seals and are only meant to lift/lower cars, not hold them.

with that being said, wonder if it's worth me leaving a note one peoples windshield, because I've seen neighborhoods before a car just standing up on a jack...

[rocket1420]

I heard even some stands can come apart at the welds, and that jacks hold hydraulic pressure with o-ring type rubber seals and are only meant to lift/lower cars, not hold them.

with that being said, wonder if it's worth me leaving a note one peoples windshield, because I've seen neighborhoods before a car just standing up on a jack...

I've never heard of stands coming apart, but I'm sure it's possible, especially if they are overloaded. I would trust a weld before a 5 cent Chinese o-ring.

If people are dumb enough to not use jackstands, I can't see a note doing anything. "Who does he think he is?" type of thing. Jack stands are pretty inexpensive. I might be more incline to just drop a pair off on the porch.

[MacFady]

Seerlah, you carry power steering fluid with you? I have had to use the OEM jack to change a tire before, that's about the only thing I would do with it and that's in a pinch. Speaking of pinch though, my welds are so mangled that it takes using the OEM jack to a whole new level.

[Seerlah]

I carry more than that. Since you also have a B5 (S4), that little cubby by the rear passenger tail light...Slime valve stem kit, Slime tire patch kit, maybe 2-3 fuel pump relays (can catch used oem ones cheap on ebay...like $5 shipped cheap . used one to get guy back home from Waterfest maybe 3 years back), maybe 3 extra R8 ignition coils, extra Bosch fr5dtc plugs, extra hid ballasts, and bag of assorted nuts and bolts (bunch of random ARP hardware, Stage 8, OEM, Home Depot, etc). Owned this car a long time and take a fair amount of road trips. You never know!

Also flushed PS to Amsoil and carry extra Asmoil PS fluid now!

[Gin+]

Walmart Special on Aisle 3! Tested on grass and worked flawlessly (helped motorist pulled over on side grass on Palisades Pkwy in NY/NJ, for those familiar).

Ran out of fuel once on the Palisades. Trooper ended up giving me a ride to the gas station and decided he'd top out the cruiser on the way. One of those days I'll never forget.

[DPDISXR4Ti]

(helped motorist pulled over on side grass on Palisades Pkwy in NY/NJ, for those familiar).

I wonder if he hit the same pothole as I did on the PIP three years ago resulting in an instant sidewall blowout? I unsuccessfully tried to lift the car on the shoulder with the stock jack. Gave up and limped to Long Mtn circle where I found a paved shoulder heading up Seven Lakes Drive. I haven't given this issue much thought since then. Perhaps I should.

[Seerlah]

I would conjecture stock widowmaker would just stake itself into the earth. Ha!

[DPDISXR4Ti]

An aluminum jack from an older q45.

First generation 1990-96 or more recent than that? I presume it just lifts by the drip rail, making it more universally applicable for cars which can be lifted that way?

[DPDISXR4Ti]

I would conjecture stock widowmaker would just stake itself into the earth. Ha!

Precisely. The ground was still somewhat frozen, that's the only reason I thought I might have a chance. Nope!

[DPDISXR4Ti]

A scissor jack from a newer VW. I believe it's from a passat

I would presume the 2005 and earlier Passat has the same jack as our B6, since it's sorta the same car. So 2006+ Passat would be what I'll look for.

[Seerlah]

Essentially same one in my trunk. Reasonable priced investment!

https://www.walmart.com/ip/PRO-LIFT-...-Jack/28087368

[heywier427]

First generation 1990-96 or more recent than that? I presume it just lifts by the drip rail, making it more universally applicable for cars which can be lifted that way?

First Gen. G50. Grandpa's sleeper :)

I like it as its aluminum, made for jacking a 4500 lbs car, and the drip rail support is on a 360 degree swivel. Goes low enough for 23.5 gtf.



Also the Rx7 jacks are similar, ie aluminum/swivel, but I dont think they are rated as much as the q45 jack. And stupid expensive!

The newer q45 jacks are steel/heavy.

This with a porshe jack handle/ Have this setup in 5 of my cars :)



Can change a flat almost as fast as Mr. Parker...

[MurkyRivers_A4]

I had a flat on the A3, rear driver's side. I pulled over on the highway and there was a very slight down hill slope. Break out the widow maker and set it in pace. Loosen the lug bolts, and starting spinning the jack up. All is well.

Take the wheel off and go to the trunk to get put the old wheel in but I decide to just set it down for now. Grab the spare and roll it over to the hub. Crap, Im not high enough.

I spin the jack up some more and the jack starts bending sideways. I cannot set the car down and cannot stop it from bending. I open the door, yell to my GF to come out and grab the old flat wheel. Im trying with all my might to not let this jack completely taco by lifting up on the car and pulling backward.

My GF comes out and I tell her to slide the wheel under the car next to the jack. She does it. I let go and the car falls onto the wheel. I reset the jack, jacked it up again and quickly mount the spare.

I hate the widow maker. I do not carry one in my A4 and will just call AAA.

[Charles.waite]

Funny story (not funny at all, actually pretty boring) but I was doing the brakes on my wife's q5 and my HF Aluminum racing jack couldn't lift high enough to actually raise the wheels off the ground. I ended up having to use the Q5's widowmaker. That thing is burly, since it has to lift 24" or whatever to get the wheels off the ground. Still used stands and took precautions of course.

But yea, Q5's stratospheric ride height makes working on it a pain sometimes.

I rarely ever use the stock B6/7 widowmaker though. Not unless I have no other options.

[MurkyRivers_A4]

Funny story (not funny at all, actually pretty boring) ...

Funniest ever.... haha...ha....ha....ha..........

[EuroEnduro]

I would presume the 2005 and earlier Passat has the same jack as our B6, since it's sorta the same car. So 2006+ Passat would be what I'll look for.

Just checked, its a 2011+ Golf/Jetta/Passat jack. Doesn't have a deep ridge in it for the pinch weld though. Mine's quite flattened though, so thats not a problem

[Seerlah]

Funny story (not funny at all, actually pretty boring) but I was doing the brakes on my wife's q5 and my HF Aluminum racing jack couldn't lift high enough to actually raise the wheels off the ground. I ended up having to use the Q5's widowmaker. That thing is burly, since it has to lift 24" or whatever to get the wheels off the ground. Still used stands and took precautions of course.

But yea, Q5's stratospheric ride height makes working on it a pain sometimes.

I rarely ever use the stock B6/7 widowmaker though. Not unless I have no other options.

Should have used ramps instead of a hydraulic jack...then taken the wheel off.