hokie04

I notice whenever I put my convertible on a lift or jack stands the gap on the door from the door handle up widens. I know convertibles are prone to this but I am always afraid the fiberglass will crack. Are there anyways to help support the rear better. The gaps are perfect when the car is sitting on the ground so I would have to think the frame supports are shimmed correctly and they are all new.

wombvette

Its normal for it to do that, but you should check the frame for rot. There is little chance for damage unless there is a major frame problem.

Vette Daddy

Even if you place your jack directly at in front of the rear tire, you'll still have some type of sag. This is normal.

What you need to inspect on any 63-82 is the area where the frame kicks up in front of the rear wheel area. This will be the corners behind each seat on each side. (inside the frame rail where the body sits). This is a high rust area. A little hard to inspect with the body on the frame but if it's rusted, you'll see signs of it easily anyway.

Blk63Vette

Hello

I heard many years ago on a convertible you should leave the doors open a crack to let the car flex...This was when I had my 1969 Firebird convertible..Anyways I always leave both doors "open" I figure it can hurt..

hokie04

It sounds like this is like I thought just a convertible thing. I did a body off a year ago and sand blasted and powdercoated the frame so I know the frame is like new with all new parts.

jdk971

i do not know if it is rumor or not, but i crack the doors open before lifting the vehicle. jim

hokie04

I would like someone to chime in on the leaving the door open thing. I think all of us convertible owners would like to know.

Also I did try the jacking up the left rear tire to see if the door gap changed and it did not.

MiguelsC2

Mine has been on and off the lift every other day for the last 2 yrs. I have no problem opening them while on the lift. And no damage from not opening them before lifting.

I don't seem to get much if any flex. I am using a 2 post 4 point lift.

wombvette

It don't make any difference really. Actually with the doors closed, the latches would tend to keep it from flexing as much, just because they are in contact with the latch points. However, sometimes it will make the door stick or be a little hard to open and close.

Godholio

I don't see why leaving the doors open would help anything. If you're getting enough flex that the doors would be damaged if left closed, then something serious is about to break. I'd rather have the couple seconds of warning to get out of the way.