Jack points for the C3
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: Karup J
Jack points for the C3
I realize this is a trivial question, but I am a newbie, and at least I hope it's easy to answer.
I want to lift my 1976 Corvette with a garage jack and place it on stand jacks. I suppose the stand jacks should be placed around the door frame, but where do i lift the car with the garage jack so I don't wreck anything?
I want to lift my 1976 Corvette with a garage jack and place it on stand jacks. I suppose the stand jacks should be placed around the door frame, but where do i lift the car with the garage jack so I don't wreck anything?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Put your floor jack against the frame at any of the stock jacking points. Jacking instructions are shown on the door of the jack storage compartment and in the owner's manual.
The intent is to jack the frame, not the fiberglass. Sounds like a no brainer, but I can recall a post a few years back from a fellow who put his jack under the floor with the predictable consequences.
Be safe.
The intent is to jack the frame, not the fiberglass. Sounds like a no brainer, but I can recall a post a few years back from a fellow who put his jack under the floor with the predictable consequences.
Be safe.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 34
Likes: 1
From: Karup J
Thanks for your reply Mike.
I am still a bit puzzled about how to lift the car up there using the garage jack. My first guess was lifting at the cross member and the rear differential, but do I risk breaking something and are there better places to lift?
I am still a bit puzzled about how to lift the car up there using the garage jack. My first guess was lifting at the cross member and the rear differential, but do I risk breaking something and are there better places to lift?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Under the differential is safe. Under the front crossmember is not recommended. The crossmembers can literally dent.
Last edited by Easy Mike; Sep 30, 2010 at 10:14 AM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 4,368
Likes: 9
From: Colorado
Personally I use 12 ton stands that are like 21" high at their lowest. I jack under the front cross member to get to where I can put small stands on the frame, lower the jack a bit so I can put a 4x4 on the jack pad. I then move it up to the required height. I then repeat that sequence for the rears. Gets it up high enough and it's sturdy.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
I have used the diff and the front xmember for the last 30+ years on these. On the xmember just use a piece of 3/4 plywood or 2x4 etc so it straddles the edges. Never bent one.
No need to worry about doors or ttops.
Placing the stands as close to the front wheels simulates the driving stance and prevents the catilever effect from the weight of the engine and front end etc drooping the frame.
Use the biggest stands possible.
The jacking instructions were only for emergency use to change a tire with the jack supplied.
Always shake the car well before working on it. If you want to be really safe, lay an inflated spare tire near you when under it.
No need to worry about doors or ttops.
Placing the stands as close to the front wheels simulates the driving stance and prevents the catilever effect from the weight of the engine and front end etc drooping the frame.
Use the biggest stands possible.
The jacking instructions were only for emergency use to change a tire with the jack supplied.
Always shake the car well before working on it. If you want to be really safe, lay an inflated spare tire near you when under it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
That's what I do - place the jack under the frame on the side of the car so I lift both front and rear wheels on one side of the car at the same time. The recommended jack points in the service manual do not include places to lift the front or the rear from the middle, ie they do not recommend lifting under the diff and certainly not the oilpan. Make sure your wheels under the floorjack turn freely or you will push the car right off the jackstands when you jack up the other side.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
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From: Peekskill NY
Just my 2c.
Last edited by GD70; Sep 29, 2010 at 05:29 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Try it next time! Make your own call.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,124
Likes: 140
From: Western New York
I understand your apprehension about lifting a side at a time. I'd also be afraid of the car slipping off the jackstands when starting to lift the other side. I lift the front of the car, first, by putting a floor jack under the a-arms near the lower ball joints, about where the bottom of the shock attaches. I use 2 floor jacks that have 1" thick rubber pads on the lifting cups. Lift both sides at the same time. When high enough, slip your jackstands under the frame at the spot indicated on the jacking instructions. Next, I put one of the floor jacks under the differential and lift until the correct height is reached. Then put your other two jackstands in place under the frame also where indicated on the jacking instructions. If memory serves me well, and lately it hasn't, the front jackstands go about 12" back from the front wheel opening on the frame, and the rear jackstand should be placed about 6" forward of the rear wheel opening on the frame. But check those location measurements just to be sure and safe. Been doing it like this for the past 36 years and have never had any problems with doors or hood or fenders, etc. Good Luck!
