Jacking Up a C5
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Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 96
Likes: 3
From: Mansfield Ohio
Jacking Up a C5
Really kind of frustrated bought some new Hankooks from Tire Rack I have been to no less then 5 shops in my area (3 recommended by Tire Rack) No one seems to want to tackle the job most say they cant get it on the rack but at least one said it would damage the underside of the car so they didnt want to try it. I guess what I have to do is take them off and take them in. My question is do I need to buy these jack pucks to get the job done?
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 248
Likes: 11
From: Hollywood Florida
St. Jude Donor '15
In my experience you can use jacking pucks, hockey pucks and I have used a properly sized wood block.
Have you tried any of the local speed/custom shops in the area?
I just had mine up on the lift without any issues at a shop I use - they helped me install C6 Z06 shocks without any issues.
Have you tried any of the local speed/custom shops in the area?
I just had mine up on the lift without any issues at a shop I use - they helped me install C6 Z06 shocks without any issues.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
You can't blame the installers. They sell tires. I called 2 shops before I bought tires from Tire Rack and they said they only install what they sell.
Tiresplus matched the Tire Rack price so I bought them there. The ground clearance was no problem with the equipment they had. Not to mention if you have a defective tire from Tirerack you may have quite a hassle to get it resolved and get a new tire.
Last edited by JR-01; Oct 13, 2014 at 03:05 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
Were these guys "official" tire rack installers? If so, call tire rack and complain bitterly. BTW, I use one of those metal adapters that replaces the standard steel pad on the jack. While it certainly works, I would not recommend it, as it is a fiddle getting the thing to go up into the hole in the frame - I always end up laying on the floor guiding the GD thing in.
Last edited by jackthelad; Oct 13, 2014 at 03:02 PM.
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A set of leave in jacking pucks would be a good idea - I have them on mine (BMW jacking pucks) and when I go to a shop and the car needs to be put on a lift, there is no problem. It does sound like they just don't want to hassle with mounting your tires since you didn't buy them there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,135
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I honestly can't remember the last time I let any place put a 'toy' on the lift. I usually toss the wheels and tires in another car and bring them there heh.
Then I don't have people trying to beat on my stuff and possibly grind a gear or wreck it, no constantly over tq'd air ratchet installed lugs/broken studs/knicked up wheels around the lug recesses...etc.
Short answer is yes buy a set of leave in pucks for lifts and bring boards to drive up onto.
Then I don't have people trying to beat on my stuff and possibly grind a gear or wreck it, no constantly over tq'd air ratchet installed lugs/broken studs/knicked up wheels around the lug recesses...etc.
Short answer is yes buy a set of leave in pucks for lifts and bring boards to drive up onto.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 120
A set of leave in jacking pucks would be a good idea - I have them on mine (BMW jacking pucks) and when I go to a shop and the car needs to be put on a lift, there is no problem. It does sound like they just don't want to hassle with mounting your tires since you didn't buy them there.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 568
Likes: 1
From: Fresno California
I bought tires from Tire Rack for my Ford Explorer 4X4 and had several tire shops tell me "they can't change tires on an Explorer". It's funny that after 15 years, 300K miles and several sets of tires that now there is a problem with Explorers. What a load of crap.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I honestly can't remember the last time I let any place put a 'toy' on the lift. I usually toss the wheels and tires in another car and bring them there heh.
Then I don't have people trying to beat on my stuff and possibly grind a gear or wreck it, no constantly over tq'd air ratchet installed lugs/broken studs/knicked up wheels around the lug recesses...etc.
Short answer is yes buy a set of leave in pucks for lifts and bring boards to drive up onto.
Then I don't have people trying to beat on my stuff and possibly grind a gear or wreck it, no constantly over tq'd air ratchet installed lugs/broken studs/knicked up wheels around the lug recesses...etc.
Short answer is yes buy a set of leave in pucks for lifts and bring boards to drive up onto.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 219
From: West Branch, MI
Hmm... I bought two Toyo Proxes for the rear of my Vette and Discount Tire installed with no hassle whatsoever. They also let me stay with them outside in the bay and watched everything like a hawk. They knew what they were doing and if I'm not mistaken, they're nationwide. Unlike some of the ones you've mentioned, they want to make $$ and it doesn't matter if they sell the tire or not. I also let them try to match the price on the tires but they couldn't but it didn't matter. They said they'd install anyway. Hope that helps. 
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,789
Likes: 894
From: Northern Illinois
Oldtimer
I had the rocker protectors installed on my car a few years ago and it was money well-spent. My car is only about 2 3/4" off the ground and getting it on a lift is really a pain in the butt. In fact, jacking it up with my old floor jack was a pain in the butt until I purchased a low-profile jack that has a minimum height of 2 1/2". I had to drive it up on blocks of wood to get it high enough for my old jack to fit underneath it. We still have to drive it up on blocks of wood when I put it on a lift, but the rocker protectors really help. 
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 248
Likes: 11
From: Hollywood Florida
St. Jude Donor '15
LOL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
It was also about some tire shops not wanting to install Tire Rack tires and using the excuse Corvettes are too low.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 422
Likes: 4
From: Cypress TX
Hmm... I bought two Toyo Proxes for the rear of my Vette and Discount Tire installed with no hassle whatsoever. They also let me stay with them outside in the bay and watched everything like a hawk. They knew what they were doing and if I'm not mistaken, they're nationwide. Unlike some of the ones you've mentioned, they want to make $$ and it doesn't matter if they sell the tire or not. I also let them try to match the price on the tires but they couldn't but it didn't matter. They said they'd install anyway. Hope that helps.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 625
Likes: 7
From: Fairfax, VA and Springfield, IL
St. Jude Donor '06
A set of leave in jacking pucks would be a good idea - I have them on mine (BMW jacking pucks) and when I go to a shop and the car needs to be put on a lift, there is no problem. It does sound like they just don't want to hassle with mounting your tires since you didn't buy them there.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 569
Likes: 19
From: South Shore, KY
I jack my car up all the time for this or that without incident. I'm sure a set of jacking pucks would be cool but in my useless opinion they are more of a sales gimmick and Corvette tax than anything else.