OldPoop55

How do I safely put my C4 on Jack Stands and where do I place them?

antfarmer2

Jack it up from under the mirror and put the jackstands where the jacking pionts are they are well marked. Just look at the bottom of the rocker. I never do this I always use solid blocks. I found a good friend under a car using jackstands dead. He did this for over thirty years.

WVZR-1

Stands at same as "lift points" see this thread:


https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1592166129

Tom400CFI

This info is right in the owners manual.

Bendeco

I don't trust jack stands if you are really pulling hard on a seized bolt you can pull it of the stands I did that when installing a lift kit on a pickup.

cv67

get a set of plastic ramps from Walmart for 40 a pr just picked up 2 last week they will accomdate wide tires. Had jackstand pins go on me also over the years.

OldPoop55

So, the car is on four 3 ton jack stands placed at the points to lift the car as shown in the manual. But from reading this, I guess I should get some ramps instead? You guys are making me paranoid.

Tom400CFI

I think you're fine w/4, properly situated, 3 ton stands. With those stand, you have a rated capacity of 24,000 lbs, to hold up a 3000 lb car. I don't think those stands will fail.

antfarmer2

Not trying to make you paranoid just trying save one of your family members from finding what I did. Use solid wood blocks. My friend had 4 6 ton jackstands that flipped out.

Bendeco

That's right wood cribbing is best use Douglas fir super strong.

OldPoop55

To keep the wife from collecting the insurance money too soon, I am going to leave the jack stands but will add a wood pile in a few places as well..

Thanks all..

antfarmer2

383vett

I'll trust my 4 jackstands over stacks of 2x4s anytime.

antfarmer2

never use 2×4s I have four oak stumps that I cut just for this.

Bendeco

Use big blocks of would like 10x10. Or go 8x10 and no chance of rolling. Not sure how jack stands made it past safety inspection. I could push hush about and vehicle off those lame little stands. Jack stands are unsafe never crawl under there but if you do put backup blocks no sense dying over changing a O2 sensor.

whalepirot

Having many sets of jackstands, some are more stable than others. I place them under the frame flanges or other solid frame sections, depending on where I need to be for the task. Obviously they are more stable when not at their upper limit and any potential 'wobble' can be assessed before crawling under.

There are many chores that ramps of any sort impede access and few that allow my low car to climb.

Chinese ratings seem to be inflated.

OldPoop55

The stands are placed at the jack points as shown in the shop manual. The front stands are only showing two teeth in height with the rears only showing one. I have grabbed the 'vette and shook it a few times. Certainly seems stable. I definitely did not go up real high on the stands.

cv67

Ramps I mentioned may not be high enoguh for "real" work ie pulling trans under the C4....if youre stuck on stands at least put your jack under it with some tension on it if youre a little shaky. cant be too safe
hate working under low cars avoid it when possible lol

OldPoop55

Ya, I considered using a floor jack with some tension on it when I actually had to crawl up under the car.

Thanks for the input everyone.

Purple92

While solid material like wood under the wheels is quite safe - there are going to be times when you need the suspension unloaded or the wheels off (like say to do suspension work or brakes). In those cases - you don't have much of a choice but to use jack stands or something else under the car's frame or other load bearing areas.

Two suggestions, after jacking the car up and putting it on strands or blocks or whatever suits your fancy - let the jack down and then give the car a good sideways push - the car should be solid - you shouldn't be able to budge it. Then before you go under - if at all possible slide the jack back under the lift point - so that it's either taking just a touch of the load - or just about to touch the area that you just jacked on and make sure that the release valve is closed - that way if the unthinkable happens - the jack will be there to take the load - and you can get out from under the car...