First time jacking up my 'vette
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 168
Likes: 0
From: Cherryville North Carolina
First time jacking up my 'vette
I'm getting my rims powder coated on Monday so I called up my friend to help me jack my car up tomorrow. This will be my first time doing this on one of my cars, so I'm somewhat worried to be honest..lol. He's bringing his stuff to do it and doesn't think it'll be that bad. It's going to have to sit there for at least 3 days and I just don't want anything to go wrong. Does anyone have any tips for me before I do this? I've searched but just wanted to see what I could get here.
Thanks for anything.
Thanks for anything.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,654
Likes: 5
From: Silver Spring MD
Get some jacking pucks (www.eliteengineeringusa.com) and a low profile jack!
I drive the car up on some 2x4's, then jack up the side of the car first (car is lowered so front and back are not at option), then get under the front until I can put it on Rhino ramps. After that, I lower the front so the wheels are on the Rhino ramps and then take another low profile jack to the rear crossmember and get that off the ground enough to get some jack stands underneath. Then back to the front to get it off the Rhino Ramps and onto jack stands. It's a major PITA but only takes me about 15 minutes now since I have it down to a science!
Hope this helps!
I drive the car up on some 2x4's, then jack up the side of the car first (car is lowered so front and back are not at option), then get under the front until I can put it on Rhino ramps. After that, I lower the front so the wheels are on the Rhino ramps and then take another low profile jack to the rear crossmember and get that off the ground enough to get some jack stands underneath. Then back to the front to get it off the Rhino Ramps and onto jack stands. It's a major PITA but only takes me about 15 minutes now since I have it down to a science!
Hope this helps!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
There's no great mystery to jacking up the C5 providing you take care. The stuff you hear about doors open or closed when jacking don't apply to the C5. Its frame is rigid enough to take the strain.
The main point has already been made by CULookin. The rocker panels are glued to the frame and any direct contact between the jack and the panels will crack them. Its vital to use a jacking puck if you jack from the side. You can buy them from some Forum vendors or make a DIY version with a hockey puck and an eye bolt. I have the Elite pucks which are linked above. Awesome engineering BTW.
There are other points on the frame which you can see from the pic. I use some wood on the jack to make sure I get a good lift.
And the obvious - make sure its well supported when its up in the air.
Here's the diagram of the jacking points
Best of luck
The main point has already been made by CULookin. The rocker panels are glued to the frame and any direct contact between the jack and the panels will crack them. Its vital to use a jacking puck if you jack from the side. You can buy them from some Forum vendors or make a DIY version with a hockey puck and an eye bolt. I have the Elite pucks which are linked above. Awesome engineering BTW.
There are other points on the frame which you can see from the pic. I use some wood on the jack to make sure I get a good lift.
And the obvious - make sure its well supported when its up in the air.
Here's the diagram of the jacking points
Best of luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 4
From: Concord California
I went out and purchased a hydrolic jack at PEP BOYs with the lowest arm, $59.00. Went to Harbor Frieght and purchased clear wheel castings, then I removed the housing from the semi-hard clear wheel and used them as pucks for lifting the vette, $3.99. You don't need to purchase those expensive lifting pucks, the McGiver way works fine...
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 1
From: LEBANON PA.
Hi There:
Expensive black hockey pucks are $1.00 a piece. lol You could cut a set out a 2x4, 2x6, 2x10,2x12 scraps, with a 3" keyhole saw with a mandrel that fits in a drill. The eyebolt size is 5/8" Pre- drill the wood or you,ll crack it.You will want to drive the car onto 2x12s to raise the car to allow for clearance of a low profile & standard floor jacks to fit under the h/pucks.I like the h/pucks better,but both will work.
robsc501
Expensive black hockey pucks are $1.00 a piece. lol You could cut a set out a 2x4, 2x6, 2x10,2x12 scraps, with a 3" keyhole saw with a mandrel that fits in a drill. The eyebolt size is 5/8" Pre- drill the wood or you,ll crack it.You will want to drive the car onto 2x12s to raise the car to allow for clearance of a low profile & standard floor jacks to fit under the h/pucks.I like the h/pucks better,but both will work.
robsc501
Last edited by robsc501; Jun 23, 2009 at 11:04 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 17,769
Likes: 3,698
From: The Sunshine State
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
Finalist 2020 C7 of the Year -- Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
2018 C5 of Year Finalist
I installed these frame savers as one of my first mods. IMO some of the best money I've spent on the car. A few techs at the dealership as well as a local mod shop liked them as well.
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...e%20protectors
http://www.mamotorworks.com/corvette...e%20protectors
Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 512
Likes: 0
The puck locations are NOT intended for service . 
They are intended for emergency jacking only.
Use the lifting locations described in the service manuals.
There are many posts here that will guide you through building ramps and jacking pads for both of the front ( there are two ) and the rear service lifting points.
Cost is about $20 , Lowes will even cut the pieces to length for FREE.
Assembly time about 2 hours.
You will have safe easy to use ramps.
The only other thing you will need is a floor jack.
Thanks
Mike
Portland Or
They are intended for emergency jacking only.
Use the lifting locations described in the service manuals.
There are many posts here that will guide you through building ramps and jacking pads for both of the front ( there are two ) and the rear service lifting points.
Cost is about $20 , Lowes will even cut the pieces to length for FREE.
Assembly time about 2 hours.
You will have safe easy to use ramps.
The only other thing you will need is a floor jack.
Thanks
Mike
Portland Or
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Hi There:
Expensive black hockey pucks are $1.00 a piece. lol You could cut a set out a 2x4, 2x6, 2x10,2x12 scraps, with a 3" keyhole saw with a mandrel that fits in a drill. The eyebolt size is 5/8" Pre- drill the wood or you,ll crack it.You will want to drive the car onto 2x12s to raise the car to allow for clearance of a low profile & standard floor jacks to fit under the h/pucks.I like the h/pucks better,but both will work.
robsc501
Expensive black hockey pucks are $1.00 a piece. lol You could cut a set out a 2x4, 2x6, 2x10,2x12 scraps, with a 3" keyhole saw with a mandrel that fits in a drill. The eyebolt size is 5/8" Pre- drill the wood or you,ll crack it.You will want to drive the car onto 2x12s to raise the car to allow for clearance of a low profile & standard floor jacks to fit under the h/pucks.I like the h/pucks better,but both will work.
robsc501
Wood works just fine too. You actually don't even need pucks if your jack's pad is small enough, and you're very careful not to pinch the body panels. I like the pucks though. They give me a nice easy target.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 880
Likes: 0
From: Detroit Area Michigan
There's no great mystery to jacking up the C5 providing you take care. The stuff you hear about doors open or closed when jacking don't apply to the C5. Its frame is rigid enough to take the strain.
The main point has already been made by CULookin. The rocker panels are glued to the frame and any direct contact between the jack and the panels will crack them. Its vital to use a jacking puck if you jack from the side. You can buy them from some Forum vendors or make a DIY version with a hockey puck and an eye bolt. I have the Elite pucks which are linked above. Awesome engineering BTW.
There are other points on the frame which you can see from the pic. I use some wood on the jack to make sure I get a good lift.
And the obvious - make sure its well supported when its up in the air.
Here's the diagram of the jacking points
Best of luck
The main point has already been made by CULookin. The rocker panels are glued to the frame and any direct contact between the jack and the panels will crack them. Its vital to use a jacking puck if you jack from the side. You can buy them from some Forum vendors or make a DIY version with a hockey puck and an eye bolt. I have the Elite pucks which are linked above. Awesome engineering BTW.
There are other points on the frame which you can see from the pic. I use some wood on the jack to make sure I get a good lift.
And the obvious - make sure its well supported when its up in the air.
Here's the diagram of the jacking points
Best of luck
You are always helping somebody and that's great. I remember when you helped me when I was trying to reprogram my TPS sensors, got them done thanks for the tip about a LARGE magnet, the little ones don't work. But, back to the subject, I spent my money on the BMW hockey type pucks that snap in the holes provided in your frame, then forget about them until you need to jack the car up. I also bought 2 aluminum low profile jacks from Sears, one on each side of course, pull the car up on ramps, jack up each side a little at a time until the desired height, and use my jack stands. I'm always doing something under there, naps, etc. keeps the wife from giving me projects around the house. You can save money by buying one jack and going back and forth, but it was money well spent and I guess, if one quits working, I have one left. Sears was discontinuing selling this model, normally $150, I bought each one for $85, so I almost got 2 for 1 anyway. Also. you can save money by the hockey puck method but it is a Vette, so it deserved the BMW pucks, would have bought Vette pucks if they made them
good luck .......
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,163
Likes: 4
From: Concord California
So true the ends where the pucks go were, per factory, not really intended for primary jacking of the vehicle. But with that said, I'd rather have my jacks as far apart from the center when working under a vette wrenching hard; I can just see the vehicle tipping over to one side or the other, so I rather have my jacks on the far side than directly under that close per vehicle spec. PS I rather never be under the vette at all, since it is so low, I can just imagine the damage to my body... Put something under the wheels and be done with it, that is the best place to jack up a vette.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
So true the ends where the pucks go were, per factory, not really intended for primary jacking of the vehicle. But with that said, I'd rather have my jacks as far apart from the center when working under a vette wrenching hard; I can just see the vehicle tipping over to one side or the other, so I rather have my jacks on the far side than directly under that close per vehicle spec. PS I rather never be under the vette at all, since it is so low, I can just imagine the damage to my body... Put something under the wheels and be done with it, that is the best place to jack up a vette.
on all countsI actually keep a pair of old beat up steel rims that I slide under cars I'm working on. They won't squish as easily as me.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 17,336
Likes: 8
From: Maker of Sharp Objects, AL - Roll Tide
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
St. Jude Knife Maker
You never know though, and like you say, this thing is so low to the ground that you would certainly be hurt badly if it were to fall on you. The wheels would prevent it from coming down all the way.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 202
Likes: 9
From: Coventry, Warwickshire,
Car Jacks
Hi, i had a similar problem when I first got my vette. Like others I made some ramps which when driven onto gives just enough height to get my trolley jack under. I also cut some timber that fits in between the chassis rails. I then use this to position the jack and ultimately the axle stands. Hope the pic helps.
