Car Crazy

People always inquire about where to place jack stands. Here are pics of where I place mine.
My tech pointed out the front subframe connection and told me to use that. You will see it just behind the front wheels (to the center of the car). I use ramps AND jeckstands if working under the car (you can never be to careful). I use the stock jack point in the rear. There is another point in the rear inboard of the stock point slightly covered with black plastic. There you will see a round hole in the frame. This is where they tie the car down for shipping. On the passenger left you will find in just in front of the rear wheel very close to the fuel pump (watch out for that).

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/89501/jack1.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/89501/jack2.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/89501/jack3.jpg">

RKA

That dimple in that steel plate can eventually crush especially under the weight of the entire front end of the car. Not a big deal really...what's more concerning is that the car can slip off the low point on that plate while you're jacking up another corner on the car. Given the small amount of contact area between the jack and the plate, the odds of that happening are pretty good. Now odds are the car will remain on the stand even if it does slip...but if there is one thing I do NOT like when I'm under the car...it's the car moving ANYWHERE.

In your case, having the ramps under the car eliminates any cause for concern in my book, but I wouldn't univerally recommend this area for stands, based on the type of stands most people use (just like yours). I've switched to a flat top stand that has a large flat stable non-slip surface on which to mount the body of the car. Typically I put it under the motor mounts or subframe.

MachtigAvant (v3.0)

I used to put my stands right under the bolt. Held great.

S4_Cinci (I S'edTFA)

I like that placement as well. =) (As you can see, I'm working hard...)

ruknd

that got damaged (as well as some of the plastic underneath). The dimple got puched in and there is now a small hole there (about finger sized). Anyone know what that piece is called? Any worries about driving until it gets replaced? There has been no shift in it and I've noticed no real change when drifing spiritedly.

JMSIV

I made some wood blocks with two layers of 3/4 inch plywood that snuggle into my jackstands and give them a secure non-skid top. On the rears, I actually jack from the front jack point until the rear is up, then set the jackstand under the rear jack point. Or I guess you could use the rear diff (supposedly not recommended by Audi) or someone used the toe hook.

In the front, I used to jack from the transmission mount and then set the jackstands under the front jack point (I liked the wider points to rest the stands on). But now that I lowered the car, I can't get the jack under the body!

MachtigAvant (v3.0)

I may have no idea what I'm talking about, but I would think that the part of the bracket that was bent is designed to take the load from the subframe.

It might be wise to have it checked out by a tech, but at the same time, who knows...it might be nothing and they have an excuse for customer pay.

RKA

I think what you're seeing is largely superficial (yes, even the hole).

Car Crazy

but my stands do have a flat top (not a V shape like most). They rest perfectly under that subframe connector. The stands have a little lip so they can't move left or right only forward and back. There is a good amount of metal bracket forward and aft of the jack stand so it is pretty solid.

Car Crazy

That is the front subframe connect. If you remove the bolts, the engine/front suspension will no longer be connected to the car.