Jacking Up C5
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburg Kansas
Jacking Up C5
Hey guys. Quick question. I need to lift the car to do an oil change. I see in the pics where you are supposed to use the crossmembers, but my jack is to tall to go under. Can I use the spot along the side where the cutout area is with the small hole? The lifting point on my floor jack is just smaller than the cutout area so it should work okay, just want to make sure as I've only had the car a week. Thanks for the help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,001
Likes: 2
From: Auburn Michigan
I jack up my vette one wheel at a time and place two one foot pieces of 2x12 boards under each tire.
This gives me 3 more inches of clearance to get my jack under the cross member.
Once it is up, use jack stands and you will be good to go.
Have a good one
Fireman591
This gives me 3 more inches of clearance to get my jack under the cross member.
Once it is up, use jack stands and you will be good to go.
Have a good one
Fireman591
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 15
From: Hurricane Alley
Hey guys. Quick question. I need to lift the car to do an oil change. I see in the pics where you are supposed to use the crossmembers, but my jack is to tall to go under. Can I use the spot along the side where the cutout area is with the small hole? The lifting point on my floor jack is just smaller than the cutout area so it should work okay, just want to make sure as I've only had the car a week. Thanks for the help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,188
Likes: 10
From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
If you use the spot with the cutout area and a hole (I believe you are talking about the area where the 4 point lift raises the car) you will require jacking pucks. Otherwise, you could damage you car. You canuse Rhino ramps to get the front of the car in the air and then jack up the car. I pit a 2X12 in front of the ramps to ensure I don't scrape. Once the car is on the ramp, you can use a 2X10 across the cross members and jack it up in the middle so you can place jack stands at the designated jasking points. I place a board across the ribs at the jacking points. If you place the jack stand on a rib as in the previous post picture, you risk cracking the rib, therefore damaging the suspension $$$$. In the rear, there is clearance to get a jack under the car. Most place the entire car on jacks to properly drain the oil. That is why I pay the dealer $60 for an oil change.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 676
Likes: 2
From: Amherst VA
I drive mine up on homemade ramps, double 2X10s rear with a slope cut on one end and single 2X10s front. then I put a large floor jack in the middle rear, and a small jack on the front side till I can crawl under (keep blocking up the wheel as you go!). Also, it helps alot if the car is warmed up (oil will drain alot faster) Just make sure you have it slightly higher in the back as the drain is in the front of the pan.
Be safe!
Be safe!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 5
From: Stark County Ohio
Read these two threads - you will learn a lot.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1906105
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...55&forum_id=74
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1906105
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...55&forum_id=74
Racer
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 315
Likes: 1
From: Eureka Ca
Heres my method, pretty quick for me, once i got used to it.
Drive the front tires up rhino ramps, while the rear tires drive up on 2x12's. Chock the front wheels. This is enough room for me too remove the plug and change the filter. When the oil flow slows, I jack the rear up with a board under the rear cross member, and just hold there for a while for the rest of the oil to comes out. The 2x12's under the rear tires give me enough clearance to get the jack and board (think its a 2x6) underneath the cross member. This isnt what the service manual advises though, some say it could crack the cross member.
Heres a good link to lifting a c5 per service manual recommendations:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1255851
I use these rhino ramps:
http://www.blitzusa.com/products/lift/plrr12.htm
Had to order them from amazon. Not the small black ones you can find at auto parts stores.
Drive the front tires up rhino ramps, while the rear tires drive up on 2x12's. Chock the front wheels. This is enough room for me too remove the plug and change the filter. When the oil flow slows, I jack the rear up with a board under the rear cross member, and just hold there for a while for the rest of the oil to comes out. The 2x12's under the rear tires give me enough clearance to get the jack and board (think its a 2x6) underneath the cross member. This isnt what the service manual advises though, some say it could crack the cross member.
Heres a good link to lifting a c5 per service manual recommendations:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1255851
I use these rhino ramps:
http://www.blitzusa.com/products/lift/plrr12.htm
Had to order them from amazon. Not the small black ones you can find at auto parts stores.
Last edited by Buck-I; Feb 19, 2008 at 10:39 PM. Reason: cant sepll
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