Changing oil?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
Changing oil?
i am due for my first oil change, and i dont have a hoist or access to one. I do have a set of rubber ramps, and wonder how to get it up there without ripping the front spoiler off the car?
I was going to lift the front drivers corner enough to get the tire off and then change oil like that with out the ramps? any ideas, i know this sounds dumb, but i am serious here?
I was going to lift the front drivers corner enough to get the tire off and then change oil like that with out the ramps? any ideas, i know this sounds dumb, but i am serious here?
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Streator Illinois
How about a couple of 4 ft. long 2x8's set up on the ramp inlines to make the approach less steep? I use 2x6's but worry about their strength so place a wooden block under the middle of each one.
Terry
Terry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
When I change the oil on my DD Sunfire I jack up the car on the drivers side (0nly 4 1/2" clearance) enough to get under it with the drain pan and a wrench.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 99
From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
i would suggest lifting the front corners and supporting the car with quality jack stands. it saves the chin and is easier than trying to concoct something just to make it work.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 54,059
Likes: 9,393
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
jack car up, place jack stand. use 9/16 wrench, remove drain plug. let drain. remove filter. install new filter filled with new oil. put drain plug back in car. remove jack stand and jack. fill with oil
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
LOL i know how to change oil.lolol This is just a bit tricky with a car so low to the ground
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 332
Likes: 1
From: Watkins Glen New York
This came up in another post earlier this week, and works for me.
I made stepped ramp "cheaters" out of 5 (I think) layers of 3/4" plywood that are tacked together like stair steps and allow a more gradual lift onto the ramps.
The lower most layer is about 2 feet long. The next one about 6 inches shorter and so on.
They get shorter as they get higher and nearer to the ramp and provide a good extension so that your spoiler or whatever doesn't hit the ramps.
Cost: Zippo
I made stepped ramp "cheaters" out of 5 (I think) layers of 3/4" plywood that are tacked together like stair steps and allow a more gradual lift onto the ramps.
The lower most layer is about 2 feet long. The next one about 6 inches shorter and so on.
They get shorter as they get higher and nearer to the ramp and provide a good extension so that your spoiler or whatever doesn't hit the ramps.
Cost: Zippo
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
Use one floor jack under the crossmember to lift the front. Put a jackstand under the frame behind each front wheel. Lower the floorjack and roll it out. That leaves plenty of room to work. Reverse the procedure when you're done.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 2,154
Likes: 69
From: Regina Sk Canada
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
I'm fairly new to C3s but have heard from many owners not to jack up the front under the crossmember. Comments?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,223
Likes: 174
From: Fort Wayne IN
You can bend the center of the crossmember in if you use a jack with a fairly small head on it. Mine was already bent when I bought it, so it's kind of a moot point, but I have a piece of 2x6 sitting with my jack to span the crossmember for this purpose.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 969
Likes: 1
From: NJ
I would also imagine its a PITA to get the jack under there and have enough clearance for the handle to move up and down....