[John Wicz]

I have been looking for a pinch weld adapter for a 18 CTS. The ones that I found all had a round base that would fit ideally on a floor model jack. Does an adapter exist that might work with a scissors jack or might that be deemed unsafe. If an adapter does not exist for a scissors jack, what would the top of the jack look like?

If you read the contents of ALL of the threads that you have started, I asked the same question a few days ago..................

 

[John Wicz]

Cut a slot in a 4x4.

Have you had good luck with this, I made one for the front and one for the back and after a couple of uses the wood started to split??

 

[John Wicz]

I would not recommend using a pinch weld adapter with a scissors jack, the correct scissors jack won't need any type adapter as it is made to lift the vehicle from the pinch weld, after all, all you are doing is jacking the car up, taking the tire off and putting the spare on, all of which should take all of 5-10 minutes max.

 

[tinman]

Have you had good luck with this, I made one for the front and one for the back and after a couple of uses the wood started to split??

Don't use pine or cheap wood. And I also agree, a proper jack is the correct tool.

 

[Submariner409]

mdkinney, Please keep all this similar jack and spare tire discussion in one thread - for continuity and ease of reply. No sense starting threads on every facet of a question. Thanks. Several similar threads have already been merged here.

 

[dbphelps]

In regards to jack pads, I own 4 of these:

https://www.amazon.com/DEDC-Universal-Aluminum-Grooved-Magnetic/dp/B0774G18QS

They have a thicker nylon pad inside that keeps it from damaging the paint on the underside of the pinchweld. The magnets are also stronger and recessed into the nylon more.

The cheaper ones tend to have a thinner nylon (or no nylon) and the magnets are not as strong and installed flush with the nylon and end up making contact with the underside of the pinchweld (which I was afraid would chip the paint off over time as the nylon gets crushed and the magnets beomce the prominent feature touching the pinchweld).

There are tons of designs and quite honestly it all comes down to material. Some of the polyurethane ones are quite nice (I own a number of those as well as I own a set of 7000TLX quickjacks and have all the adapters they sell including the pinchweld and truck adapters) and I have no issue putting vehicles on those. I have had "jack pads" that convert jackstand tops to sit with pinchwelds and those always seem to end up breaking/splitting/crushing. I do think it is because you just need a wider span to have the pads sit and the narrow top of jackstands are a poor solution.

In the modern age of cars, they have most certainly moved more and more to a set of standards that make being a "home mechanic" more and more difficult. it is OBVIOUS they DO NOT want anyone but dealerships to work on their cars, which is sold as "cost savings", but in reality is just sad. There is no reason there isn't a few spots under the car to be able to jack on.

Even the rear crossmembers are constructed in a way that jacking the car up by them can do damage. Now that I have torn down one of these platforms for a ground up rebuild I can agree that you DO NOT want to jack up the rear of the car with the differential. It is held to the crossmember by 3 bushings (which can all be damaged) and the diff is constructed with a set of "ears" in front and the back connection point is an aluminum rear cover that is NOT meant to hold much more than the diff itself. To say the least the rear cradle is most certainly "load optimized" to have all the stresses coming from the rear suspension, not the span between those points.

 

[mdkinney]

I have looked at the idea of a full size spare for my 14 cts and here are some of the pros and cons.....A full size spare RF tire and oem wheel are expensive. It would also need a tire pressure sensor installed. Then there is the space in the trunk. I would have to find a way of securing the spare. My local tire shops do not have a spare tire for me in stock. Probably up to a few days at best. However with a full size spare, could be changed immediately. Don't know whether, at my age, I would even attempt a change. I would probably call AAA. If they attempted a change, most likely would have a rolling jack that would not be able to get under the plastic molding with damaging it. Why would they have one. I could carry a scissors jack and have them change the tire.. That might be possible. I could carry a pinch weld adapter, puck, scissors jack etc.
Would like some advise on which way to go. Very strong on full size spare though. Jacking is the problem here.

 

[John Wicz]

Why a new thread on the SAME subject!!!

IMHO if I were you, I would stick with AAA or insurance road service and just FORGET about the spare and jack. Much less opportunity to injure yourself or damage your car. After such a long life you now deserve to take it a little easier. After all, how many flat tires have you had in you entire life...............

 

[tinman]

Just keep a tire repair kit in your car. No spare tire, unless you don't care about space in your trunk.

 

[tinman]

In regards to jack pads, I own 4 of these:

https://www.amazon.com/DEDC-Universal-Aluminum-Grooved-Magnetic/dp/B0774G18QS

They have a thicker nylon pad inside that keeps it from damaging the paint on the underside of the pinchweld. The magnets are also stronger and recessed into the nylon more.

The cheaper ones tend to have a thinner nylon (or no nylon) and the magnets are not as strong and installed flush with the nylon and end up making contact with the underside of the pinchweld (which I was afraid would chip the paint off over time as the nylon gets crushed and the magnets beomce the prominent feature touching the pinchweld).

There are tons of designs and quite honestly it all comes down to material. Some of the polyurethane ones are quite nice (I own a number of those as well as I own a set of 7000TLX quickjacks and have all the adapters they sell including the pinchweld and truck adapters) and I have no issue putting vehicles on those. I have had "jack pads" that convert jackstand tops to sit with pinchwelds and those always seem to end up breaking/splitting/crushing. I do think it is because you just need a wider span to have the pads sit and the narrow top of jackstands are a poor solution.

In your same link they have "rubber puck" style jack pads, 4 ea. for $22

 

[Lifespeed]

I've found jacking these cars really requires appropriate equipment. I like these jack stand pinch-weld adapters from Forsvara Engineering.

For the floor jack I use both of these pinch weld adapters stacked one on top of the other to provide clearance between the jack pad and surrounding rocker panel trim:

Amazon.com: DEDC Universal Jack Stand Pad Adapter Pinch Weld Side Frame Rail Protector 2 Pack : Automotive

Buy DEDC Universal Jack Stand Pad Adapter Pinch Weld Side Frame Rail Protector 2 Pack: Jack Stands - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com

I also use a jack stand with a circular rubber pad to put under the front crossmember in the center, depending on what part of the car I'm working on.

 

[John Wicz]

Thanks, both of these look nice, it's always good to get feedback from someone who's actually used something rather than the sometimes sketchy reviews.

For the floor jack I use both of these pinch weld adapters to provide clearance between the jack pad and surrounding rocker panel trim:

Amazon.com: DEDC Universal Jack Stand Pad Adapter Pinch Weld Side Frame Rail Protector 2 Pack : Automotive

Buy DEDC Universal Jack Stand Pad Adapter Pinch Weld Side Frame Rail Protector 2 Pack: Jack Stands - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Amazon.com

 

[mdkinney]

See my post with pictures in one of your other threads (Spare tire vs AWD), a "temporary" spare fits and will work just fine. If you have a specific question I will be happy to answer it if I can. For most people, you can tell their car year, type by their avatar............

Looks like I found someone with the same type car as mine. Have a few questions for you about jack points on the car. Any chance of getting a few pix or a detailed description.
MDK

 

[mdkinney]

The selection of jack really isn't that critical. Get one with a slot or use a block of wood. If the welded flange bends a little it won't hurt anything. To be specific, I have a 2015 and bought the modern spare kit which includes tire, jack, tools. It's a little pricey but what can you do. I paid $310 plus shipping in 2018, it's $410 now. Find it for your car at

Fits All 2015-2019 Cadillac CTS Models- Spare Tire And Complete Accessory Kit Options

2015-2019 Cadillac CTS and CTS-V Complete spare tire kits. Engineered for your CTS and CTS-V. Light alloy, long range, space-saver tire. Search Model/Year

modernspare.com

I removed that foam piece from under the trunk floor and the tire mostly fits after letting half the air out. I carry a 12V air compressor which brings it back to 50 psi in 5 minutes. The floor sticks up 1-2 inches which is hardly noticeable so I get use of the trunk and have a full kit. I have used the spare and it worked fine. See photo, the jack is wrapped in foam and sits next to the tire.
View attachment 652596

How does the jack work?? Are you able to fully access the jack points in front and rear pinch weld point without damaging the car?
mk

 

[MikeGreen9]

tinman: Cut a slot in a 4x4.

As I stated above in post #4, I prefer using a 3/4" piece of plywood to fit between the pinch weld and jack support. I would worry about using a 4X4 as it may split or crack.
M.....

 

[mdkinney]

tinman: Cut a slot in a 4x4.

As I stated above in post #4, I prefer using a 3/4" piece of plywood to fit between the pinch weld and jack support. I would worry about using a 4X4 as it may split or crack.
M.....

Do you use a scissors jack on the road? If so can you describe what the head of the jack looks like. Will be using RFs and will be carrying a full size spare. Hope to be able to use a jack that I can handle. In an extreme case, I would carry a low profile floor jack.
mk

 

[Submariner409]

Post #3.

 

[MikeGreen9]

Do you use a scissors jack on the road? If so can you describe what the head of the jack looks like. Will be using RFs and will be carrying a full size spare. Hope to be able to use a jack that I can handle. In an extreme case, I would carry a low profile floor jack.
mk

No I do not carry a scissors jack or any jack. Just that solid tow hook that Caddy wisely supplies.

As I said in post #4, if I ever got a flat, I would use my phone and let the tow truck carry me home. At my age (75), I wouldn't attempt any tire change on the road.

Just my 2 Cents.
M....

 

[John Wicz]

tinman: Cut a slot in a 4x4.

As I stated above in post #4, I prefer using a 3/4" piece of plywood to fit between the pinch weld and jack support. I would worry about using a 4X4 as it may split or crack.
M.....

I had that happen.......

 

[mdkinney]

Thanks, both of these look nice, it's always good to get feedback from someone who's actually used something rather than the sometimes sketchy reviews.

Thanks for the information and the video. Here is what i have done so far. Many might consider these 'overkill"
I have purchased a brand new oem wheel ($ ouch) and a spare new RF all season. Practically new RFs on car so will stay for the time being. I did get the red pinch weld adapter with the allen screws. This is for the front. These will not work on the back. Neither with several hockey puck adapters that I have tried. Might have to use the 3/4 inch plywood that you suggested. Contemplating getting a low profile jack and keeping in trunk. At 82, I probably should not be doing all of this since I dont drive at night and when I do, its a short distance. I have not had a flat in 66 years and that includes 7 foreign countries. Even drove a tractor trailer with a large fuel tank behind me on the autobahn. Maybe just keep the spare without bothering the rest.
Thanks to everyone