Do I really have to...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 643
Likes: 40
From: Wauregan CT
Do I really have to...
Use my pucks at the local garage when they have nice heavy rubber pads on each of the four arms of their lift? Seems like it would accomplish the same net results, but I'm asking for the voice of experience to tell me what best. I appreciate it...
Thanx
Bob
Thanx
Bob
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
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From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
Just make sure that they know about the problem with vettes and know how to properly lift it without crushing the rocker panel. If their rubber pads are not thick enough or positioned right , it will damage the lower body.
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I would still use your jacking pucks. The jacking pucks are designed to keep any lift pads from making contact with the rocker panel. If their lift pads contact the panels, then there is always the chance for some damage.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7,429
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From: Morristown New Jersey
Oldtimer
After taking a good bit of time to put mine on a lift to do the brakes, I decided to get the pucks with the eyebolt in them to take the positioning guesswork out.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Southeast, Tennessee
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26
simple rule in my opinion on this is that you are always better off safe than sorry. unless you can swear that the lift operator can be trusted 100% to be professional and have complete command of the equipment you are always taking something of a chance no matter how good he has been in the past. easier than having to go through body repair.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
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From: Oceanside California
On a side note, did you know that the coups are supposed to have the targa top unlatched before lifting? Its supposed to stop from damaging it or the glass because of flex. I lift mine all the time without doing it and so far so good.. but I learned that at a shop recently.
Le Mans Master
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From: Kelso Washington
St. Jude Donor '09, '13, '15
On a side note, did you know that the coups are supposed to have the targa top unlatched before lifting? Its supposed to stop from damaging it or the glass because of flex. I lift mine all the time without doing it and so far so good.. but I learned that at a shop recently.
Who knows.....
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Oceanside California
Pro
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: North Reading MA
The biggest advantage is that they give a nice target for the lift pads.
At my friends shop, the only lift I can fit on is the side by side, which just clears the pucks....All of his 4 post lifts are heavy duty and are too high to clear and without some serious ramping the alignment rack won't work either.
At my friends shop, the only lift I can fit on is the side by side, which just clears the pucks....All of his 4 post lifts are heavy duty and are too high to clear and without some serious ramping the alignment rack won't work either.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Anaheim CA
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Kannapolis NC
The rubber pads on the lift won't keep the weight of the car from sitting on your rocker panel molded pieces that roll under and are part of the body panels. You need the pucks to keep the weight on the frame and off the panels. Use the pucks or ignore the cracks.
Race Director
Joined: May 2012
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From: Phoenix area, AZ
What's cheaper, pucks, or rocker panels?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
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From: San Gabriel Valley California
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
Instead of asking 'do I really have to', maybe you should be just insisting that the mechanic or shop about to work on your car 'really has to' use the pucks.
And I think, you should go to a different shop, if they don't agree. Actually, if you have to make sure, or insist that a shop use lift pucks on a Corvette; you are in the wrong shop, and should leave....
I have read that repairing the rocker arm damage can be very very expensive. Who will you blame for that, if you don't insist on using the lift pucks?
And I think, you should go to a different shop, if they don't agree. Actually, if you have to make sure, or insist that a shop use lift pucks on a Corvette; you are in the wrong shop, and should leave....
I have read that repairing the rocker arm damage can be very very expensive. Who will you blame for that, if you don't insist on using the lift pucks?