Has Anyone Ever...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 119
Likes: 3
Has Anyone Ever...
Has anyone ever widened the opening of the body lifting hooks sold in the online Corvette stores? And if so, how did you do it?
I know from reading some previous threads that others have determined like me that the opening of the hooks sold in the Corvette body lift strap sets are not wide enough and thus do not provide the proper "fit" to lift the body. I was all ready to lift the body on my '72 Coupe this past Sunday but this derailed me. My brother and I tried to open up the gap on one a little to no avail. We were afraid to apply heat to the hook as the lifting strap is nylon and thus might be affected by the heat. Any direction on proven methods to do this would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Roger
I know from reading some previous threads that others have determined like me that the opening of the hooks sold in the Corvette body lift strap sets are not wide enough and thus do not provide the proper "fit" to lift the body. I was all ready to lift the body on my '72 Coupe this past Sunday but this derailed me. My brother and I tried to open up the gap on one a little to no avail. We were afraid to apply heat to the hook as the lifting strap is nylon and thus might be affected by the heat. Any direction on proven methods to do this would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Roger
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 12
From: Fisher, IL
I know what you're talking about.
Luckily up until now my paint/body was in poor condition so I didn't mind the hook rubbing some. I tried widening with my vice but it just flexed back like I had done nothing.
I'll be removing the doors from now on any time I want to lift the body. I believe that should eliminate the hook issue as well as maxing out my engine hoist(the ram/shock hits the door at max lift)
If you're not using an engine hoist then it might be nice not having to remove the doors so widening the hooks would be a must.
Luckily up until now my paint/body was in poor condition so I didn't mind the hook rubbing some. I tried widening with my vice but it just flexed back like I had done nothing.
I'll be removing the doors from now on any time I want to lift the body. I believe that should eliminate the hook issue as well as maxing out my engine hoist(the ram/shock hits the door at max lift)
If you're not using an engine hoist then it might be nice not having to remove the doors so widening the hooks would be a must.
Last edited by PUNISHER VETTE; Aug 28, 2013 at 06:14 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
The areas that the hooks engage are covered by the rocker panels so you probably wouldn't see any marks. If you stuff some towels between the hooks and the body there will probably be no damage. The Vette body isn't all that heavy to begin with so the hooks aren't going to gouge into the body, and the area they attach to is steel.
I haven't heard about people having this problem in the time that I've been on the forum so you may be seeing a problem that isn't really there.
Rick B.
I haven't heard about people having this problem in the time that I've been on the forum so you may be seeing a problem that isn't really there.
Rick B.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,609
Likes: 12
From: Massapequa Park NY
The areas that the hooks engage are covered by the rocker panels so you probably wouldn't see any marks. If you stuff some towels between the hooks and the body there will probably be no damage. The Vette body isn't all that heavy to begin with so the hooks aren't going to gouge into the body, and the area they attach to is steel.
I haven't heard about people having this problem in the time that I've been on the forum so you may be seeing a problem that isn't really there.
Rick B.
I haven't heard about people having this problem in the time that I've been on the forum so you may be seeing a problem that isn't really there.
Rick B.
Putting the body back on after a fresh repaint I'd probably be a little leery while the paint is soft and more susceptible to damage.
Jim
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 119
Likes: 3
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-g...ft-straps.html
Thanks for the tip. I went down to a local stell supply shop and they gave me a piece of 1" cold rolled steel stock to try exactly what you did with a press.
To lift the body, I am using a 4-post lift. We cut the 4 straps off of a online Corvette store purchased Body lifting hook set and are using the loose straps with strap ratchets hung from 2 points of the rail on each side of the lift.
Roger
