Was looking around today for jack stand pads -- no, not the pads that sit on the flat surface of a floor jack pad, but something for a *jack stand* with a saddle, the idea being a pad or adapter whose top side similarly fits into the rectangular jack points on the MINI. I'm good for jacking the car up, it's the rest-car-on-jack-stands part I was seeking a solution for.


I ran across the product in this YouTube video, which in turn had a link to the eBay storefrtont where these are sold. I found no other storefront and no company page. The product is made by a company called Forsvara Engineering, which is apparently based in Ohio.

Anyone out there used these before? Or using an alternative product? Or know this company? If you are using something for this purpose, what are you using? Very curious as Googling around to find something like this took more effort than I thought it would.

Thanks!

 

^^^ Interesting product concept which seems sturdy if maybe a bit overkill. BTW, thinking this topic would be of interest to others than just 3rd Gen owners...

Depending on my project and whether I'll be underneath, I use a couple of methods / tools including; 2.5T lightweight "racing style" floor jack with 1" thick board to lift up one side, then insert 6T Harbor Freight jack stands at the front jack points (where topic adapters would add safety and security). At the rear jack points, I use a pair of 3T Powerbuilt hydraulic jack stands which I like much better with overall versatility plus cradles which overlap the jack points nicely.

I did buy a pair of Powerflex jack pad adapters from @WayMotorWorks which I'll use with my smaller 1.5T floor jacks (same style low profile as the 2.5T but more compact) in combo with those pad adapters for quick jobs while not underneath. I bought those hydraulic jack stands at Tractor Supply several years ago and might buy another pair for use on my R53 vs those big H-F 6T stands. If so, I'll also buy 4 Powerbuilt pinch weld saddle adapters. Available from various retailers plus @ECSTuning also carries the Powerbuilt hydraulic jack stands and pinch weld adapters. The hydraulic jack stand is what I want to suggest as an alternative but will link all 3 products below.

https://www.waymotorworks.com/powerf...d-adaptor.html

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-powerbui...jac/640912~pb/

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-powerbui...ter/240337~pb/

 

Appreciate your reply @MCS4FUN , that's some good info. And you're right, I forgot that these rectangular jack points are on the R series MINIs as well. Guess I posted here in 3rd Gen because my brain was stuck in my F56 courtesy of a tire issue today, d'oh!

Question to clarify -- those hydraulic jack/jack stand items -- I'm not clear from your post what you would sit atop the metal saddle to avoid damaging the edges of the plastic/composite/whatever-they-are jack point blocks (that's what got me in this rabbit hole in the first place). Creative application of those pinch weld saddle adapters?

 

For simply changing a tire with no need for crawling beneath, I'd simply use the floor jack plus jack pad adapter (as shown on WMW's site but widely available in polyurethane as are mine or aluminum). For jacking up all 4 corners and supporting with the hydraulic jack stands, likely no need for those pinch weld saddle adapters since width at the bottom flat base of the jack stand cradle is essentially same 1.5" width as OEM jacking points, thus supported nicely by the cradle flanges either side. I think the pinch weld adapters would provide other jacking point position possibilities. Clearly not as positive engagement as the topic adapters might provide on typical jack stands but unsure if that's really necessary. Let's see what other replies and ideas you get on this...

Edited to clarify that these hydraulic jack stands are much more than bottle jacks with adjustable height jack stand cradles, i.e., the plated "basket handles" having corresponding locking positions (not shown in ad picture) which ensures weight fully supported when handle is in fully down position. With that, even if a leak-down in the hydraulics occurs, the assembly stays rigid like a typical jack stand.

 

I follow on the jack stand cradle base size -- interesting thought. I did the floor jack + jack pad adapter thing today for the tire change, but was looking ahead to all 4 corners -- it's tire rotation time.

I don't necessarily *have* to have all 4 in the air, but doing a rear cross rotation (my usual) without just putting all 4 up gets "interesting" -- on my F56S, like my 2nd Gen R53S, jack up one corner to a no-brainer height and the whole side says "hey, lemme help you, we're goin' to only 2 wheels on the ground dude!"

 

For quick 4 wheel rotation, I'd use 2 floor jacks with support boards (I use scrap piece 1" thick by 18" long Trex) as shown in this Mod MINI video. I haven't looked underneath F-series but "assume" similar to older models with subframe members. Only have 1 larger floor jack but less $$ to buy another of same than multiple hydraulic jack stands...

 

I had completely forgotten that technique — I actually did that with my 2nd Gen. Good stuff and thank you!