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hi all, rookie question here from someone that doesnt want to screw up anything over such a simple procedure. I need to replace all 4 tires on my 66 small block. Prefer not to have tire store pulling hubcaps and removing the nuts, so pulling the wheels off myself, two at a time. Owners Manual reflects jacking point 3 inches from rear wheel opening and 5 inches on the front. My question is, I would like to lift both tires at once on each side and then remove two tires to take to the shop doing the mounting and balancing. Is there any reason not to jack up the car from midpoint between wheels on the frame running along the doors? I assume that I should NOT do this, but thought I would ask. Should I just locate another jack and lift at the points designated for each wheel per owners manual? Any other advice on this process? Should I open doors, release hood, etc. to take away any stress on the glass?? As always, thank you for your wisdom and experience>
place a scab 2x6 on your Jack and place it between the bumper brackets in the front on the cross member. Jack it up until you can get your stands under the frame behind the front tires. Place them there at let the Jack down. At the back in front of the rear tire Jack it up on the frame then place a stand under the shock mount. Repeat on other side.
Agree with the above. I have put padded jack stands under the spring pocket of the front control arm after jacking on a padded cross member. That's a pretty hefty piece of steel in those lower control arms and the edge of the spring pocket fits nicely into those jack stand u-shaped tops.
A Quickjack is one of the most useful things I have purchased. You can find them on sale at Costco or Home Depot. Lift the whole car at once. If you feel like driving to McKinney, you can borrow mine. I have a Discount Tire and NTB close by.
Back in the day I used the vehicle jack to lift the entire side of my SWC at the intersection of the center cross member and side rail, but, remember, the SWC body is solidly mounted to the frame, which makes the structure a 3D space frame, and it's much stiffer than other C2 Coupes that have rubber body mounts and much stiffer than any year convertible.
It's okay to jack up the front from the front cross member and the rear on the strut rod bracket as long as you use a soft wood block on the jack puck.
"Should I open doors, release hood, etc. to take away any stress on the glass??"
No you should never open the doors on a convertible unless all 4 tires are on the ground with full car weight on them. It's my understanding the body structure is very flexible and is relying on the latched doors for structural integrity and to help keep from twisting it. I don't think the hood open or closed would matter one way or another, but I'd keep it closed if you could.
I do the same thing with my cars. I remove the tires myself in my shop and take them to the tire shop to be mounted and balanced. I'm the only one who installs them on the car.
If you are doing two at a time, you can pull one wheel, install the spare, then pull the other wheel and leave that corner on the jack while you go to the tire shop.
But, really, a set of jack stands is pretty cheap.
"Should I open doors, release hood, etc. to take away any stress on the glass??"
No you should never open the doors on a convertible unless all 4 tires are on the ground with full car weight on them. It's my understanding the body structure is very flexible and is relying on the latched doors for structural integrity and to help keep from twisting it. I don't think the hood open or closed would matter one way or another, but I'd keep it closed if you could.
I do the same thing with my cars. I remove the tires myself in my shop and take them to the tire shop to be mounted and balanced. I'm the only one who installs them on the car.
Thomas
I agree... I have a quik jack like in picture. I always make sure the top is down when I have it jacked JUST IN CASE I need to get in the car for some reason.. Much easier when the car is elevated..
I'm interested in clarifying a point. If you are jacking a convertible read all above.... If you are towing a convertible from the front or rear only (which is a very bad idea) the doors should be opened and tied off to avoid glass damage at the top rear of each door at the rear quarter panels.
In other words, if towing, use a Flatbed Carrier.....Just Sayin!!!
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Jacking points on 66 Roadster
