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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 10:28 AM
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Default Front lifting

Hi,
I need to work under the motor in order to do some jobs, I'm guessing how to raise the car, in which point (is it ok to raise it onky on the front?) and where exactly put the jacks...
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 11:22 AM
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Use the frame jacking points. You can raise the car by jacking under the front crossmember, but you can also dent the crossmember that way. It is not meant to be a jacking point.

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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 11:25 AM
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Raise it from the sides of the front frame, using the floor jack in an area roughly under the front part of each door, but leaving space to put a stand on the level part of the frame, right behind each front wheel, but before the frame arcs up and into the engine compartment.

I raise mine in increments too, from side-to-side. I go with the lowest position of the first jack and then, if it has to go higher, I'll make the second jack the higher jack and then go back to the first side and raise that up to match. I don't like to just lift up the one corner of the frame to the maximum height of a jack. I'd rather minimize that kind of unnatural twisting of the frame if at all possible.
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 11:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Easy Mike
Use the frame jacking points. You can raise the car by jacking under the front crossmember, but you can also dent the crossmember that way. It is not meant to be a jacking point.

how can I prevent from denting the crossmember?
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Iron_dog
how can I prevent from denting the crossmember?
It's not meant to be a jacking point! I can't say, I've never done it that way, but I used a piece of wood across the top of the jack. I don't do that anymore, I get it from the sides. Not as easy or convenient, but it's the right way to do it.
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 12:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Iron_dog
how can I prevent from denting the crossmember?
Don't put your jack under it.
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 01:48 PM
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Why not drive it up on ramps? Unless I need to take the wheels off I always use ramps and if I need to get at the front and back I drive it up on ramps and then jack the back and put ramps under the rear wheels as well.
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 09:20 PM
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Originally Posted by 929nitro
Why not drive it up on ramps? Unless I need to take the wheels off I always use ramps and if I need to get at the front and back I drive it up on ramps and then jack the back and put ramps under the rear wheels as well.
Not to hijack from the OP, but curious to know what ramps you use - Race Ramps?
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 09:39 PM
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Originally Posted by 929nitro
Why not drive it up on ramps? Unless I need to take the wheels off I always use ramps and if I need to get at the front and back I drive it up on ramps and then jack the back and put ramps under the rear wheels as well.

I use a set of ramps I caught on sale at autozone for $30. they are plenty sturdy for a vette, have a rubber tip to prevent sliding and fit quite nicely under a C3. they wont squash due to ribs in the underside.
who wants to pay $200 for ramps?

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ier=89618_0_0_

Last edited by jnealg; Sep 5, 2013 at 09:42 PM.
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 11:03 PM
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I have the Rhino Ramps as well, a nice cheap and strong solution. The rubber insert did not stop the ramps from sliding however; Corvette Forum taught me to put a bath mat (rubber bottom) under the ramps and now they stay put.

Always great tips here on the forum...
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Old Sep 5, 2013 | 11:59 PM
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A couple of places NOT to place your jack. Front crossmember. It will dent/ cave in. Trans crossmember, it too will dent.
I have jacked my 72 on the side frame rails almost anywhere without any detrimental effects. I try and place my jacks just fwd of the rear wheels and just aft of the front wheels, but depending on exactly what I am attempting to work on, have used stands positioned way fwd and just aft of the enginine mounts. May have to disconnect tie rods to fit in there.
The point is the frame side rails are extremely tolerant of jacking/stand placement. The crossmembers, forgetaboutit.
Yeah most stock ride height C3's can be driven up onto almost any type of automotive ramp. Start lowering the cars ride ht. maybe not.
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Old Sep 6, 2013 | 03:09 AM
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Originally Posted by 929nitro
Why not drive it up on ramps? Unless I need to take the wheels off I always use ramps and if I need to get at the front and back I drive it up on ramps and then jack the back and put ramps under the rear wheels as well.
mmm good point, I'm going in that direction! thank you

Looking for RR 10" ramps...

Last edited by Iron_dog; Sep 6, 2013 at 07:09 AM.
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Old Sep 6, 2013 | 08:35 AM
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Originally Posted by Lupigiato
Not to hijack from the OP, but curious to know what ramps you use - Race Ramps?
I use the Rhino ramps that a couple others have mentioned. Just make sure to get the heavier grade ones.

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/acc...ier=89618_0_0_

This link was posted by Jnealg and they are thee newer version of what I have been using for some 10 to 15 years now. Race Ramps are nice but to rich for my blood rather spend the money on the car.
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