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I am a new corvette owner and I feel really dumb asking this question. I pride myself in being mechanically smart and being able to diagnose and repair most things on my vehicles. However, I have been told to be cautious jacking up a C3 with a floor jack. I know these things have full frames and my frame and birdcage are just fine. That being said? Is there a "best way" to jack these up? I want to jack it up to address some minor issues under the car and I want to put it on jack stands. I figured I would ask since I have found nothing useful on YouTube. Again I feel kind of dumb asking.
I jack mine from the side, at the crossmember that runs across the middle of the vehicle.
then go to the other side and repeat.
I’ve heard jacking from the front crossmember under the engine will deform it and your alignment will probably never be great. I’ve never tried it to find out
I jack mine from the frame corners immediately in front of the rear wheels for the aft side. I jack the front from beneath the lower control arms and place the jack about below the lower shock mount.
Don't worry about asking questions. Other than a couple of wise-acre responses you will mostly get mostly good answers here.
Originally Posted by 1976PEARL
Good evening,
I am a new corvette owner and I feel really dumb asking this question. I pride myself in being mechanically smart and being able to diagnose and repair most things on my vehicles. However, I have been told to be cautious jacking up a C3 with a floor jack. I know these things have full frames and my frame and birdcage are just fine. That being said? Is there a "best way" to jack these up? I want to jack it up to address some minor issues under the car and I want to put it on jack stands. I figured I would ask since I have found nothing useful on YouTube. Again I feel kind of dumb asking.
Not at all a dumb question. The only truly dumb question is the one that doesn’t get asked.
The recommended locations are 3” in front of the rear wheel well opening and 5” in front of the bottom of the door/front fender gap.
Avoid lengthy time while jacked. There is a LOT of weight at the nose of the car, thus a very long moment arm that puts stress on the fiberglass in the cowl area.
I will soon be building “wheel cribs” for mine. If you plan for it to be in the air a bit, this may be a good idea for reasons mentioned.
There are a gazillion vids on youtube showing how to build and use them if interested.
Well..... if we're going there then I recommend getting a Quickjack.
I got mine last fall and it is about fantastic! It is so easy to use that I have gotten things done that I would otherwise just keep putting off.
Should be seeing some Holiday sales coming up between now and New Years. Also check on costco they sometimes have them on their website with great prices.
agree on quickjack.. couldn't diy a lot if i had to use jack stands. you can but ....also do not lift on that cross bar in the front..it will dent the metal..unless soft wood i guess..
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Jacking my C3
