jacking up my car
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Peterborough Ontario
jacking up my car
can you guys help me out i was told that there are different ways to jack up my car. i need to put it on stands so that i can do brake work. should i open my doors or keep them colsed and should the T- roofs stay on or should i take them off??
any help would be appreciated
any help would be appreciated
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 832
Likes: 1
From: Breckenridge Colorado
I am glad you asked this because I need to know real bad too. I have heard horror stories of cracked T-Tops and have yet to jack up the car because of that. Granted I have only had the car 2 months, I still need to get it off the ground for some underbody cleaning and some work. Thanks for asking SHAT77 and I eagerly await a response. I have improperly jacked up a car in the past and did some damage so I am hesitant to jack up the vette until I know exactly how to.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
I have a 68 coupe and for the last 33 years have been jacking it up with the t-tops off and the t-tops on. Right now it is on 4 jack stands. I have jacked it up by the rear end diff housing and front frame under the engine as well as by the sides.
When I want to put it on jack stands I grab it on the sides on the frame right near the frame crosspiece that runs from one side of the frame to the other (under the door area) and then I lift the enitre side and put in 2 jack stands. Then do the same on the other side and put in the last 2 jack stands. I have always jacked with the doors closed but I think the main thing is that if your frmae is OK , you won't get flexing. I have never had a problem in the last 33 years . Just my 2 cents
When I want to put it on jack stands I grab it on the sides on the frame right near the frame crosspiece that runs from one side of the frame to the other (under the door area) and then I lift the enitre side and put in 2 jack stands. Then do the same on the other side and put in the last 2 jack stands. I have always jacked with the doors closed but I think the main thing is that if your frmae is OK , you won't get flexing. I have never had a problem in the last 33 years . Just my 2 cents
Pro
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 610
Likes: 1
From: Wickliffe Ohio
I just put a '69 coupe on stands for the winter. The tops were on and doors closed. As long as you lift up each side (front and rear together) you'll be fine. Jack up one side, put the stands under it, and then jack up the other side.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 122
Likes: 0
From: Rochester MN
I've heard horror stories of glass tops shattering so I simply unlatch mine and leave them on the car. It takes 10 seconds and I don't worry at all. I suppose there's very litttle chance they'll break if you think about the twisting the car takes angling on or off a steep driveway without ever breaking. I vote it's an urban legend... Does anybody have proof they can break when jacking up a vette? 
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,084
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Originally Posted by ksbunting
I have a 68 coupe and for the last 33 years have been jacking it up with the t-tops off and the t-tops on. Right now it is on 4 jack stands. I have jacked it up by the rear end diff housing and front frame under the engine as well as by the sides.
When I want to put it on jack stands I grab it on the sides on the frame right near the frame crosspiece that runs from one side of the frame to the other (under the door area) and then I lift the enitre side and put in 2 jack stands. Then do the same on the other side and put in the last 2 jack stands. I have always jacked with the doors closed but I think the main thing is that if your frmae is OK , you won't get flexing. I have never had a problem in the last 33 years . Just my 2 cents
When I want to put it on jack stands I grab it on the sides on the frame right near the frame crosspiece that runs from one side of the frame to the other (under the door area) and then I lift the enitre side and put in 2 jack stands. Then do the same on the other side and put in the last 2 jack stands. I have always jacked with the doors closed but I think the main thing is that if your frmae is OK , you won't get flexing. I have never had a problem in the last 33 years . Just my 2 cents
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 3
From: Burlington WI
The T-tops and doors are not structural parts of the car.
Honest the car isnt going to fold in half if you open the door or remove the T-top.
T-tops shattering if you jack it up?? Get a grip!! Or at least a frame that isnt rusted through.
Honest the car isnt going to fold in half if you open the door or remove the T-top.
T-tops shattering if you jack it up?? Get a grip!! Or at least a frame that isnt rusted through.
Last edited by fl_rider; Dec 18, 2005 at 07:50 PM.
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Illinois, USA
Originally Posted by ksbunting
I have a 68 coupe and for the last 33 years have been jacking it up with the t-tops off and the t-tops on. Right now it is on 4 jack stands. I have jacked it up by the rear end diff housing and front frame under the engine as well as by the sides.
When I want to put it on jack stands I grab it on the sides on the frame right near the frame crosspiece that runs from one side of the frame to the other (under the door area) and then I lift the enitre side and put in 2 jack stands. Then do the same on the other side and put in the last 2 jack stands. I have always jacked with the doors closed but I think the main thing is that if your frmae is OK , you won't get flexing. I have never had a problem in the last 33 years . Just my 2 cents
When I want to put it on jack stands I grab it on the sides on the frame right near the frame crosspiece that runs from one side of the frame to the other (under the door area) and then I lift the enitre side and put in 2 jack stands. Then do the same on the other side and put in the last 2 jack stands. I have always jacked with the doors closed but I think the main thing is that if your frmae is OK , you won't get flexing. I have never had a problem in the last 33 years . Just my 2 cents
The balance on the car is fun, though. I can push down on the nose of the car and lift the rear wheels off the jacks
Brian.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: Sherrard Illinois
Thought mine was supported equally on all 4 stands had them in the recommended locations on the frame and one day while under the car I kicked the left rear stand and it slid out. The car was still suported on the other 3, slid it back under and took a hammer and drove it under the frame sideways until it was tight. The car has been sitting on stands for five years now and no sign of sag or flexing. T-tops are on but loose just in case.
