Jacking Do's And Don'ts???
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 21
From: Denville NJ
Jacking Do's And Don'ts???
I have heard so many different opinions on this topic but I am still confused? When jacking up each corner to place on stands:
1.) Hood up or down?
2.) Doors open or closed?
3.) Windows up or down?
4.) Roof in or out?
I don't want to cause any cracks with all the body flex. I'm leaning towards leaving everthing closed and tighly in place until the car is on four stands and then open the hood etc. Thanks for any help.
1.) Hood up or down?
2.) Doors open or closed?
3.) Windows up or down?
4.) Roof in or out?
I don't want to cause any cracks with all the body flex. I'm leaning towards leaving everthing closed and tighly in place until the car is on four stands and then open the hood etc. Thanks for any help.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Camp Pendleton CA
Re: Jacking Do's And Don'ts??? (CG77VETTE)
I've never noticed body flex was that bad...maybe I do it wrong, but I just jack it up at the back corners to lift one side at a time....if my methods haven't broken anything I don't think anything will break.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 5,297
Likes: 0
From: Stamford VT
Re: Jacking Do's And Don'ts??? (urtoslo)
all that crap plays into the strength of the entire chassis, so I'd keep it all installed and closed during jacking. I noticed last night that with my car on jack stands, my hood didn't want to open. Even though I *thought* I had all 4 jack stands at the same height, apparently I didn't, and the car was tweaked just enough that the hood put up a protest.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 1
From: Lockport, IL Let's get em ALL home soon!
Re: Jacking Do's And Don'ts??? (CG77VETTE)
Although I have done mine both ways, it would prolly makes more sense to do it your way.....and it sure WON'T hurt anything.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,187
Likes: 309
From: SIMSBURY CT
St. Jude Donor '07 thru '25
Re: Jacking Do's And Don'ts??? (CG77VETTE)
If you place the jack at the Jacking point, where are you placing the jack stand since the Jacking point is occupied with the jack?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,187
Likes: 309
From: SIMSBURY CT
St. Jude Donor '07 thru '25
Re: Jacking Do's And Don'ts??? (Steel Blue 91)
How far away from the Jacking point is safe? I'm not sure my jack and jack stand will sit close enough next to each other to for the stand to be placed in that spot. I'm using one of those 4 wheel 2.5 or 3 ton jacks that is probably 6 inches wide.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,490
Likes: 2
From: Oviedo FL
Re: Jacking Do's And Don'ts??? (bizaro1234)
I keep everything closed and do one side at a time. I put the jack in the middle of the door, press in on the side skirt and press on the jack lift until it makes contact with the car. I then swivel the top of the jack to make sure it doesn't come into contact with the side skirt and put it up in the air. Throw 2 jackstands underneath and then do the same on the other side. Takes me about 5 minutes to get the car up on 4 jackstands...
Mike
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
Re: Jacking Do's And Don'ts??? (CG77VETTE)
I used a floor jack in front then, went rear-left/rear-right/front . (repeat). . . until I got it to a height I liked, then put it up on blocks under the wheels.
I think as long as you use common sense you'll be fine. :smash:
I think as long as you use common sense you'll be fine. :smash:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 1
From: Portsmouth VA
Re: Jacking Do's And Don'ts??? (luvmy92)
I keep everything closed and do one side at a time. I put the jack in the middle of the door, press in on the side skirt and press on the jack lift until it makes contact with the car. I then swivel the top of the jack to make sure it doesn't come into contact with the side skirt and put it up in the air. Throw 2 jackstands underneath and then do the same on the other side. Takes me about 5 minutes to get the car up on 4 jackstands...
Mike
Mike
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 797
Likes: 2
From: Westminster MD
Re: Jacking Do's And Don'ts???
I keep everything closed and do one side at a time. I put the jack in the middle of the door, press in on the side skirt and press on the jack lift until it makes contact with the car. I then swivel the top of the jack to make sure it doesn't come into contact with the side skirt and put it up in the air. Throw 2 jackstands underneath and then do the same on the other side. Takes me about 5 minutes to get the car up on 4 jackstands...
Mike
Mike
Same thing. Jack goes at or just behind the side-view mirrors. If you feel more comfortable, start with the stands at their lowest, and them come back up and raise to the final height in two stages.
I change tires twice a day about 10 - 12 times a year for autocross and so far no problem. I don't think I've ever done it with the roof out though.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 24,337
Likes: 25
From: San Diego , CA Double Yellow DirtBags 1985..Z51..6-speed
Re: Jacking Do's And Don'ts??? (TravisD)
I usually have the doors shut, (because they're in the way!)
Your car experiences that sort of chassis flex everytime you hit a driveway at an angle. The jacking points are there because they support the car. I end up opening the doors and hood anyways when I have it up on jackstands.
Hell, I don't even use the jacking points. The fiberglass is too close, and it'll get F'd up if I use the jackstands there. I typically only jack the front or rear as a whole, and then set the jackstands just inboard of the jacking points, on the nearby ridges. No problems yet, and my vette spends more time on jackstands than on its wheels. :eek:
Want some real jacking tips? Don't sideload the jack. If jacking on any sort of incline, the floor jack should point up or down the incline, not sideways.
Your car experiences that sort of chassis flex everytime you hit a driveway at an angle. The jacking points are there because they support the car. I end up opening the doors and hood anyways when I have it up on jackstands.
Hell, I don't even use the jacking points. The fiberglass is too close, and it'll get F'd up if I use the jackstands there. I typically only jack the front or rear as a whole, and then set the jackstands just inboard of the jacking points, on the nearby ridges. No problems yet, and my vette spends more time on jackstands than on its wheels. :eek:
Want some real jacking tips? Don't sideload the jack. If jacking on any sort of incline, the floor jack should point up or down the incline, not sideways.
