subit0

This is a question for all you DIYers out there - what do you do to work under your car? Do you drive the car onto a ramp, jack it up and secure it with jack stands, have a pit in your garage, or better yet, have a hoist? Are you happy with your setup, and are there any things particular to it that one should be aware of?

williebone

It depends on what you are doing! The Stock Jack will work for isolated jobs that don't require leveling and access can be gained near or close to that point. It is still possible when leveling is required, but you'll have to lower the car for even draining. "Edit" I suppose a Supporting Jack Stand would the Proper thing to add if using this Option.

If you need sufficient clearance then I would go with at least 4 to 6 Ton Floor Jack. Use Jack Stands if you need this kind of Level Clearance. I've never used Ramps before and I think that even in Lift Mode you would have an Issue with Clearance driving up on all 4 Ramps assuming you would need a Level Position. A Creeper or Stool is helpful depending on the Job at hand. Laters,

Huey52

I have Rhino ramps for oil changes and other maintenance where I need not remove the wheels. I have a low profile race jack with jack stands for when wheel removal is necessary. I use the ramps on the front and jack-stands on the rear when I have to level a car for say transmission fluid change.

Basically the right tool for the job, as always - like a creeper when I want to take a nap under the vehicle.

btw: I would not use the provided scissor jack for anything other than an emergency tire change.

I would really like a hydraulic lift, and as they're actually pretty reasonably priced these days (I have a high garage ceiling) ....

Hilden

Floor jack in most cases. I also have access to an outside pit if I really need to access and drop stuff under the car.

2nd on the scissor thing. Would never use that crap unless emergency.

When I grow up and design my own house + big-*** garage I'll make sure to have enough space for a lift

MP4.2+6.0

The couple of ton Harbor freight aluminum type to keep moving it easier too. As soon as a wheel comes off, the jack stands go under for safety; the single pull ratchet upward type ones instead of the cheaper pin in adjustment hole ones. Keep them close at hand to motivate easy use. Also have metal ramps with a removable ramp portion for more compact storage as well as more accessible use (helpful for tranny stuff at times), but w/ 275's tires just barely fit going up them. Everything clears w/ the ramps as long as MMI suspension setting is high. Undercar A8 work has usually just been preemptive inspection though or a 'tweener oil change. Otherwise, brakes or summer/winter tire swaps. Ramps have gotten more use on the 2000 4.2 A6 including a head removal, two belt jobs and a couple tranny fluid changes. Our driveway also has a slope so if needed I can even use the ramps "downslope" to achieve overall level of the car when needed for stuff like tranny fluid level check. That's a hard one otherwise for either regular ramps or a floor jack until you start putting most of the car on jack stands.

FlyTyinFool

ARCAN 3 1/2 ton floor jack and the same jack stands that MP4.2+6.0 mentioned. I've never had much luck with ramps, but the ones MP4.2+6.0 mentions sound handy.

I'd love to have a hoist. In my dream shop there will be one. I actually flirted with the idea a few years ago when a local dealership changed hands. They redesigned their service department layout and ended up with an "extra" above-ground, 2 post, 4 arm electric model. Unfortunately, I had no place to mount it or store it at that time. Bummer...

2008AudiA8L

These are the ramps I am getting, by RaceRamps, with the removable ramps.
http://www.raceramps.com/2-piece-56-...ace-ramps.aspx

Amazon.com sells them, and there is also a guy regularly selling them on ebay (he has them drop shipped directly from the manufacturer and his price is a little better than amazon):
http://www.amazon.com/Race-Ramps-RR-...=pd_sbs_auto_1

gaspasser19

I built these from some 2 X 12s they work great for oil changes, etc. If I need to take the wheels off I use jackstands.