low profile jack pads

[robl45]

Hello,

I had a set of low profile jack pads picked out and finally figured now is the time to get them as I'll probably need tires soon, but at 30 dollars and change, I started to question the wisdom of paying that much for something that is used at least for me maybe twice a year and that is probably generous. Anyone have any suggestion for inexpensive pads? I was going to make my own, but I don't really have the time at the moment. I was looking at Traverse racing. They appear to be 1 inch instead of the ..75 I had found, but they are also about half the price. So if anyone knows any decent low profile pads that are inexpensive, please let me know.

Thanks

 

[charlieaf92]

I just bought these last week after running over a nail. They worked great and have a nice little case. I have a craftsman low profile jack and they fit fine, but I'm not 100% sure of their thickness (edit: the listing says they're 1")

https://amzn.to/3b3L3rt

 

[Snow Drift]

Don't buy knockoffs. Buy the original:

Reverse Logic:
Pair of Combo Model 3•Y Low Profile Pads | Reverse Logic jack pads for Tesla Model S, Model X, Model 3, Model Y

 

[JGhere]

Original? As in Tesla Branded? They're simply rubber pads. Not rocket science.

 

[Snow Drift]

Original? As in Tesla Branded? They're simply rubber pads. Not rocket science.

No, as in the company that developed the pads specifically for the Model S years ago. The pads also have a magnetic tip so that they line up properly.

 

[aspec818]

+1 on the reverse logic pads. I have a low ride height and I used to drive over something to get clearance with the cheap amazon pucks. The reverse logic pads are about 1/2” shorter so it fits directly on top of my Jack without needing extra clearance. And the magnetic tip is a nice touch.

 

[robl45]

I think I will go with the first set posted here or the traverse ridge racing. The ones I were going to go with were just a hair taller than the reverse logic at 30 dollars. 50 dollars IMHO is too much to spend on an item that is used once. I don't even need them honestly, I used my jack to rotate my tires without them since it already has rubber with no damage, but figured the place doing my tires would make it easier for them.

 

[Camryguy]

I bought the reverse logic pads. They are very nice and it is a small investment to protect the bottom of your car. I also think it is worth having them in the frunk of your car in case you ever need service out on the road.

 

[elptxjc]

I like the Amazon jacking pads linked on post #2. I paid more for mine (also on Amazon), and didn't come with the storage pouch. The RL ones are nice, but pay over 5 times for something I might use once or twice is not justifiable to me. My Craftsman racing jack fits perfectly fine on my M3 LR, so no need for anything shallower. Plus you could always just drive over a 2x6/2x8 and problem solved .

 

[robl45]

I just bought these last week after running over a nail. They worked great and have a nice little case. I have a craftsman low profile jack and they fit fine, but I'm not 100% sure of their thickness (edit: the listing says they're 1")

https://amzn.to/3b3L3rt

For these, there are a ton of them where people say the nipple is too long and they don't fit all the way in, do these fit all the way in?

 

[MODEL+]

For these, there are a ton of them where people say the nipple is too long and they don't fit all the way in, do these fit all the way in?

My mind is somewhere else now....

 

[robl45]

My mind is somewhere else now....

I couldn't think of a better term for it. Sorry

 

[Ev_Rider]

Any affordable ones on Amazon are fine. If the nubs are too long or thick, it is easy to grind them to right fit. Also, I have heard that basic hockey pucks work fine too and used ones are cheap if you head over to a hockey rink.

 

[charlieaf92]

For these, there are a ton of them where people say the nipple is too long and they don't fit all the way in, do these fit all the way in?

I didn't have any issues. Just pushed one in (it held itself in place but maybe drooped a little bit) and then rolled the jack underneath and raised the car up.

 

[GreenHokie]

I too have one of those puck style pads with the nub/nipple in the center. However, I stopped using them after I realized my local Tesla Service Center does not even use that type of pad/puck to lift any of their vehicles. They simply use a flat rubber surface that is already built into their lift arms. Tesla told me while it may not be a bad idea, it is really not necessary to use any of those puck style pads with the nub/nipple. The only benefit of the puck style pad is the nipple will help ensure the pad stays where it should and not accidentally slide around while lifting the vehicle. However, as long as you are on a level surface and not applying some crazy amount of lateral force on the vehicle while lifting or working on it, then there is essentially zero risk a regular/standard square rubber pad will move/slide on you.

Of course, go with and use whatever makes you feel comfortable/safe. However, it is clear to me that buying/using these specialized puck/nipple style pads is totally unnecessary.

 

[elptxjc]

there are a ton of them where people say the nipple is too long and they don't fit all the way in

The ones I got fit fine... BUT they come off by themselves. At least in 2 locations. What I did is dislodge the O-rings, and loosely let them fit into the groove, but they're super loose. So I wouldn't trust them to leave in place even for a few feet, which was the purpose of the O-rings, in the first place IMO. Plus the O-rings should be lower, but at least with the trick mentioned above, you can leave the pads in place while you position a jack or lift under them.

Having said that, I didn't like the super expensive ones linked above either, since I would NOT want them touching the metal inside the holes. I don't know if that internal metal is supposed to support all the weight. You want the weight on the metal where the pads touch.

And good to know we don't need to take those pucks to Tesla service centers. Thank you for that info... although it'd be wise for us to ask in advance.

 

[MODEL+]

I too have one of those puck style pads with the nub/nipple in the center. However, I stopped using them after I realized my local Tesla Service Center does not even use that type of pad/puck to lift any of their vehicles. They simply use a flat rubber surface that is already built into their lift arms. Tesla told me while it may not be a bad idea, it is really not necessary to use any of those puck style pads with the nub/nipple. The only benefit of the puck style pad is the nipple will help ensure the pad stays where it should and not accidentally slide around while lifting the vehicle. However, as long as you are on a level surface and not applying some crazy amount of lateral force on the vehicle while lifting or working on it, then there is essentially zero risk a regular/standard square rubber pad will move/slide on you.

Of course, go with and use whatever makes you feel comfortable/safe. However, it is clear to me that buying/using these specialized puck/nipple style pads is totally unnecessary.

I had a hunch about this when I was lifting my car on these pucks. They are simply a rubber surface for your jack so it's not metal on metal contact. Sure it does help with positions of the jack pad as well. I'd say if you have one of those hydraulic jacks with the large rubber surface, just take your time on position and lift from there. My car is lowered so adding a puck in between just adds to the hassle.

 

[robl45]

I had a hunch about this when I was lifting my car on these pucks. They are simply a rubber surface for your jack so it's not metal on metal contact. Sure it does help with positions of the jack pad as well. I'd say if you have one of those hydraulic jacks with the large rubber surface, just take your time on position and lift from there. My car is lowered so adding a puck in between just adds to the hassle.

Yes, but its a female dog to line up without the puck at least in my case with my lowered car. It be much easier to drive my car up on a block and use the puck.

 

[GreenHokie]

I had a hunch about this when I was lifting my car on these pucks. They are simply a rubber surface for your jack so it's not metal on metal contact. Sure it does help with positions of the jack pad as well. I'd say if you have one of those hydraulic jacks with the large rubber surface, just take your time on position and lift from there. My car is lowered so adding a puck in between just adds to the hassle.

Yeah, I think people just have to realize/remember that it is not really the hole itself that provides the structural support/lift point. Rather, it is the rectangular area around the hole that is the structural lift point. So, as long as you position your regular flat square or circular pad around that hole (and not on any part of the adjacent battery compartment), then a jack with any type of flat pad will do.

I have one of those QuickJack hydraulic lifts (BL-5000EXT) and use only the standard square rubber pads that comes with the lift.