I'm a little curious,

I read in a VW book that "No self-respecting Beetle owner would ever use the factory issue jack"

Is this true???? If so Why??? And what sort of Jack would you use???

Thanks

Guess it's an opinion thing.....I'd use it, they are great, very nicely engineered, BUT the jacking point can often be rotten or at least not up to the job, and the car needs to be chocked as damage could occur if the car moves at all whilst jacked or jacking .

What book was that in?

The wind up ones in the mid 70s werent too bad but the ratchet climbing ones before that are called widow makers for good reason.

The right-hand jacking point on my bug was somehow mangled by a previous owner, most likely by putting a floor jack or two-post hoist under it without a rubber block. Although it isn't rusty it's all out of shape. I tried to straighten it out a bit and use a factory jack on it, but the car twisted forward on the jack and wobbled around all over the place, crushing the drivers' side running board. When the jacking points are in perfect condition the factory jacking system is satisfactory, but with age, rust and misuse/impacts from rocks, it is easy for the jacking points to deteriorate dangerously. The jacks themselves are perfectly fine.

the factory jack is for EMERGENCY work only, IE changing a flat and thats all!! they are NOT designed for any other work to be carried out on the vehicle.
IF you really need you car jacked up for any reason, a bottle jack under the front or rear torsion beams is far better than the factory unit, a better option is a trolly jack in the same areas, and IF you are going to go under the car at all use a jack stand, a physical restraint will save your life.
yes i know its easy to say but my mate..... ive done.... we've never..... etc etc..... but safety is utmost if you wish to claim your pension.

I work in a factory with a guy who hoses down electrics (motors, switches, junction boxes,sensors, etc etc) i tried to explain this is not a good idea, your heart can be stopped with 5milli-amps, he is cleaning stuff with 30 amps running thru it, his answer... but i've done this for 4 years and nothings happened. yeah well i dont want to be around when it does happen!

PREVENTION IS ALWAYS BETTER THAN A CURE!! we already know the cure for crushed mechanics etc!! if you missed it read this post AGAIN!!!

They make a good 'light-duty' porto-power. A few odd lengths of pipe, and blocks of wood is all you need. I even used one on the No. 8 Beetle re-build.

And for resetting rear torsions

VWJON

I only use My VW jacks when out on the road....
I never use them at home when working on the car...
always use a trolley jack and jack stands...

fellow hosing down electrical gear YIKES

One day it will bite Him.... and He may NOT get Up....

OH&S Safety at work... YIKES...

Lee

PS: the jacking point on a beetle is a bit under designed or designed just to do that job with everything being 100% OK

after 30 +++ Years they are not always 100% OK....
and if the jack has marked the running board....
the problem has started....

When I first got My beetle on the road I kept forgetting that it wouldn't start in gear....
so, I would jack up the car, and I would climb under and start the engine with a screwdriver...
even with the handbrake on the car wanted to go....
as soon as the engine started... [ car still in gear] lol

Lee