I like to use my floor jack for routine maintenance. The service jack that comes with the car is a PITA. However, I do not like what the floor jack does to the jacking point in terms of damaged paint and metal.

Anybody got any hot tips on how to avoid the above?

 

Scissor jacks should never be used to do car maintenance. Never, ever get under a car that is supported with only a jack, not to mention a scissor jack!

You might try putting a wooden block in between the jack and the jacking point if you are that concerned. But the jacking points on the X350 are not actually on that frame rail. IIRC, they are circular holes that are sort of reinforced. The reinforced spot on the rail is where your jack stand would go.

 

A hockey puck in the lifting saddle?

Of course sourcing them in FL might be a wee bit difficult

If you do find them, buy a few. They are very handy for all sorts of things.

 

I can't find it now, but Jaguar have very specific instructions on how to jack up the X350. If I recall the warnings were quite dire and failure to follow can lead to chassis and suspension damage. I was always very careful to monitor and supervise jacking of the car outside of the dealer. As other have said, never work under a car using just scissor jacks.

- Tim

 

I just went and had a look at my copy of the Jaguar Technical Notes for the 2003.5 MY.

On jacking and lifting it says: -

" - Jacking and lifting points are critical
- Vehicle support stands should only be used in conjunction with cushioned pads".

So essentially the message is only jack at the jacking points and lift at the lifting points. But where are the lifting points or are they the same as the jacking points ?

I always use baulks of timber between body and jack to protect the paint work and spread the load out.

 

I use these for my jack and stands..

2 Piece Rubber Pads for Jack Stand

 

those pads are great, Don. I use ramps for certain jobs. I have jackstands for others. Obviously ramps don't work for anything requiring wheel removal, but they sure are convenient and leave the body untouched for jobs that don't require wheel removal.