From digest.v7.n1264 Sun Mar 8 16:55:53 1998
From: "Steve D'Gerolamo" <steved3_at_idt.net>
Date: Sun, 08 Mar 1998 11:40:13 -0500
Subject: E36 Chassis Metal Fatigue & Jackplates

Much has been said lately about E36 3 series weld and metal fatigue, notably with regard to subframe mounts (see http://www.njbmwcca.org/scrap.htm). The chassis jack insert holes can also experience fatigue (or shift) due to excess loads. I want to remind people that have purchased E36 jackplates that this tool is intended to replicate the factory jack for the lifting of one side only of the vehicle.

Please note the warning on my web site: "Warning- do not work under any vehicle supported by a jack plate only-jack stands must be used. Do not use more than one jack plate at a time or attempt to lift the front or rear half of the vehicle with this tool-BMW did not engineer the metal inserts in the rocker panel to support 50% or more of the weight of the vehicle. Excessive loads may cause chassis metal fatigue (the chassis insert can shift upward) or failure resulting in severe injury to the person(s) using this tool and/or damage to the vehicle."

I received a call from an upset (local) customer this morning who has used the jackplate to lift the entire rear of the car by lifting one side first, placing the vehicle on a stand, and proceeding to the other side to lift for placement of the second stand. This excess load has caused the hole (chassis insert) to shift upward and he can no longer put the filler plug back into the hole.

If you've purchased one of these tools, PLEASE use it correctly (see above). If you're looking to lift the entire front or rear of the car for service procedures, a jackplate is not the solution. Buy a low rise lift or carefully use a quality floor jack and a means of distributing the load to lift the car.

I made the jackplate for my own use and had to have a run of 125 pieces to justify the cost. I've accomplished this and will no longer manufacture this tool (at least not in 1998). The price of the remaining pieces will be increased to $125.00 and I will buy back (between now and May 1, 1998) these jackplates from anyone not satisfied with their quality. SD