Audi A4/S4 & A5/S5 Jack Stands Guide: Safely Lifting the B8 & B9 Chassis

Audi’s B‑platform sport sedans and coupes—A4, S4, A5, and S5 from 2009 onward—are engineering marvels with aluminum subframes, Quattro drivetrains, and, unfortunately, delicate pinch‑weld lift points. Bend those seams and you’ll invite rust under the galvanizing, compromise door alignment, and kill resale value.

If you’ve Googled “Audi jack stands” or spent time on Audizine, you already know the pain: hockey‑puck DIY solutions and sketchy saddle stands that never quite meet the weld squarely. The fix? Jackpoint Jackstands paired with our Standard Pad. One pad goes from floor jack to stand in a single motion, cupping the weld and freeing your jack for the next corner.

B8 vs. B9: What’s the Same, What’s Different

Generation	Years	Platform highlights	Lift‑point notes
B8	2009‑2016	Steel + aluminum hybrid chassis, longitudinal engine, OE scissor‑jack cutouts	Weld seam height ≈ 5.25" on stock sport suspension
B9	2017‑present	Lighter MLB‑Evo platform, updated front subframe, wider sills	Same pinch‑weld geometry, but under‑tray extends farther back—watch clearance

Bottom line: The factory jack points are identical between B8 and B9, so the same Standard Pad works across all trims (A4, S4, A5, S5, RS5*).
*RS5 owners: double‑check carbon side‑skirt clearance before lifting.

Why Conventional Stands Fall Short

1. V‑saddle crush – Narrow cradle edges bite into the seam, peeling galvanizing.
2. Off‑center force – Triangular stand legs can’t sit square when you jack from the outer sill.
3. Jack‑reposition dance – You can’t lift and support the car on the same weld with a saddle.

Jackpoint Solution in 15 Seconds

Insert Standard Pad into your low‑profile jack → Raise car → Slide Jackpoint stand under pad → Lower. Done. Weld protected, jack freed.

Tools & Prep Checklist

• 2 × Jackpoint Jackstands with Standard Pads (4 for full‑car work)
• 3‑ton low‑profile floor jack
• Wheel chocks (front or rear, depending on lift)
• 17 mm lug socket + breaker bar
• Torque wrench (34 ft‑lb initial + 89 ft‑lb final per Audi spec)
• Gloves, eye protection, flat concrete surface

Pro tip: Mark the pad channel with a silver Sharpie so it’s easier to align under dim garage lighting.

Step‑by‑Step Lift Procedures

Front‑End Service (Oil Change, Intercooler Upgrade)

1. Chock rear wheels; engage parking brake.
2. Position the Standard Pad on the pinch weld behind front wheel.
3. Jack until tire just clears ground.
4. Slide Jackpoint stand in, feet flat.
5. Lower slowly until pad locks into stand receiver.
6. Repeat on opposite front corner.

Rear‑End Service (Diff Fluid, Exhaust)

1. Chock front wheels.
2. Use rear pinch‑weld notch ahead of rear wheel.
   3‑6. Same as front procedure.

Four‑Corner Lift for Wheel/Tire Rotations

Do I need two jacks? One jack works—after each corner is set on a stand, drop the jack half an inch and roll it free for the next lift.

1. Front‑left → Rear‑left → Front‑right → Rear‑right sequence prevents chassis twist.
2. After all four stands are placed, rock each stand gently to confirm stability.

Track‑Day & DIY Tips

• Brake swaps in pits: Jackpoint’s captive pad means wheels come off in <60 seconds—no hunting for puck adapters.
• Quattro driveline service: With all four wheels free, you can spin shafts by hand for easier bolt access.

FAQ

Will this work on RS5 and RS4 Avant?
Yes—lift points are identical. Just confirm aftermarket side‑skirt gap.

Lowered on coil‑overs (‑30 mm): Still safe?
Measure weld‑to‑ground (> 5") first. A low‑profile jack plus a thin wooden spacer under front tires usually solves clearance.

Next Steps

Shop the Standard Pad Kit
Choosing the Right Floor Jack

Safety Disclaimer

Always consult the Audi factory service manual. Use wheel chocks, work on level ground, and verify stand stability before entering the work area. Jackpoint, LLC is unaffiliated with Audi AG. This guide is for educational purposes only.