Jacking up a c5
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 31,626
Likes: 12
From: Sacramento California
Jacking up a c5
quick question, i have a 3 ton jack, nice one. but i was reading that you have to make some kind of adapter in order to not damage the frame of the car. something about putting a hockey puck between the frame and the jack.
does anyone have a link, or some type of guide of what exactly you have to do in order to safely jack up a c5?
does anyone have a link, or some type of guide of what exactly you have to do in order to safely jack up a c5?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,360
Likes: 4,582
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
I have 2 low profile jacks; one Larin 2-ton aluminum jack and one Harbor Freight 1.5-ton aluminum jack.
I installed these frame rails with built in pads from Elite Engineering:
See Elite Engineering frame rails here: http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/c...nd-mtg-screws/
I also have a set of 57" 2-pc Race Ramps, Trax Jax and 2-pc wheel cribs.
Here is an illustration of the C5 and C6 lifting & jacking locations:
Always use jacking pucks when lifting from the frame contact hoist locations if you don't have frame rail protection.
I installed these frame rails with built in pads from Elite Engineering:
See Elite Engineering frame rails here: http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/c...nd-mtg-screws/
I also have a set of 57" 2-pc Race Ramps, Trax Jax and 2-pc wheel cribs.
Here is an illustration of the C5 and C6 lifting & jacking locations:
Always use jacking pucks when lifting from the frame contact hoist locations if you don't have frame rail protection.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 31,626
Likes: 12
From: Sacramento California
I have 2 low profile jacks; one Larin 2-ton aluminum jack and one Harbor Freight 1.5-ton aluminum jack.
I installed these frame rails with built in pads from Elite Engineering:
See Elite Engineering frame rails here: http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/c...nd-mtg-screws/
I also have a set of 57" 2-pc Race Ramps, Trax Jax and 2-pc wheel cribs.
Here is an illustration of the C5 and C6 lifting & jacking locations:
Always use jacking pucks when lifting from the frame contact hoist locations if you don't have frame rail protection.
I installed these frame rails with built in pads from Elite Engineering:
See Elite Engineering frame rails here: http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/c...nd-mtg-screws/
I also have a set of 57" 2-pc Race Ramps, Trax Jax and 2-pc wheel cribs.
Here is an illustration of the C5 and C6 lifting & jacking locations:
Always use jacking pucks when lifting from the frame contact hoist locations if you don't have frame rail protection.
i also have a set of race ramps that i used on my c4 for changing the oil and to get underneath the front.
i was looking at doing c5 oil changes and it looks like i need to put the front on the ramps, and then jack up the back to level it out so the oil will drain. i was wondering how i will be able to do that.
i have 1 jack and 2 jack stands.
thanks for the diagram. ill have to study it and get my car on the ramps to take a look under it.
it looks like you use back ramps as well? do you ramp up all 4 wheels at once?
i only have the 2 piece style front ramps because i never needed to get the back of my c4 off the ground.
c5 are more complicated i think!!
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 31,626
Likes: 12
From: Sacramento California
on the c5, it looks like the green, preferred location is on the axle? or on the frame next to the upper/lower A arms? i dont want to damage the suspension...
are there jack points along the suspension or along the anti sway bar? my c5 is all base, 2003
are there jack points along the suspension or along the anti sway bar? my c5 is all base, 2003
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,928
Likes: 93
From: Boulder City NV
The Hockey Pucks can be bought on ebay..they are indeed a "puck" with a screw thing that fits in the frame slots. They're dirt cheap.. You don't have to leave them on..
I think all that frame protector stuff is really cool, but it is costly. My rails are well broke in I don't sweat it at this point. I keep my pucks stashed inside the car
I think all that frame protector stuff is really cool, but it is costly. My rails are well broke in I don't sweat it at this point. I keep my pucks stashed inside the car
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
Likes: 83
From: . New York
Just so you know, the cutouts in the preferred jacking points diagram are so you dont crack the wrap under rocker panels.....not because of any twisting of the frame. The C5 is plenty stiff....open a door when its on a jack and see what I mean.
Now having said that, I always used the pucks, and you do want to have a low profile jack and you do not want to put it under suspension members, the leafe springs or any of that stuff as you can damage some things by jacking under them.
But its not the stiffness of the frame if thats whats worrying you....its rigid as hell. Just dont crush anything by lifting the car on stuff not meant to take the weight.
Now having said that, I always used the pucks, and you do want to have a low profile jack and you do not want to put it under suspension members, the leafe springs or any of that stuff as you can damage some things by jacking under them.
But its not the stiffness of the frame if thats whats worrying you....its rigid as hell. Just dont crush anything by lifting the car on stuff not meant to take the weight.
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,360
Likes: 4,582
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
thank you!
i also have a set of race ramps that i used on my c4 for changing the oil and to get underneath the front.
i was looking at doing c5 oil changes and it looks like i need to put the front on the ramps, and then jack up the back to level it out so the oil will drain. i was wondering how i will be able to do that.
i have 1 jack and 2 jack stands.
thanks for the diagram. ill have to study it and get my car on the ramps to take a look under it.
it looks like you use back ramps as well? do you ramp up all 4 wheels at once?
i only have the 2 piece style front ramps because i never needed to get the back of my c4 off the ground.
c5 are more complicated i think!!
i also have a set of race ramps that i used on my c4 for changing the oil and to get underneath the front.
i was looking at doing c5 oil changes and it looks like i need to put the front on the ramps, and then jack up the back to level it out so the oil will drain. i was wondering how i will be able to do that.
i have 1 jack and 2 jack stands.
thanks for the diagram. ill have to study it and get my car on the ramps to take a look under it.
it looks like you use back ramps as well? do you ramp up all 4 wheels at once?
i only have the 2 piece style front ramps because i never needed to get the back of my c4 off the ground.
c5 are more complicated i think!!
I use the rear ramps to give it some height for when I put my low profile jack under the rear cradle since I use a thick piece of wood shaped like the cradle to protect it and to evenly distribute the weight of the car across the cradle.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,360
Likes: 4,582
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
Don't touch any suspension parts when lifting. The preferred lifting contact points are on the front and rear aluminum cradles.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
I use the "leave in" pads. C5s should have come from the factory with them.
http://www.corvettemods.com/Lock-InL...FQ2UaQodWx4Clg
http://www.corvettemods.com/Lock-InL...FQ2UaQodWx4Clg
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,315
Likes: 1,585
From: Western NY
You lift the "cradle".........the big, chunky aluminum structure that the suspension bolts to. Use a floor jack, with a piece of wood (2x4) on the jack's center pad, so you don't gouge the cradle. Place the jack in the middle of the cradle.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 167
Likes: 10
I have one of these works well. You can always find a 20% off coupon, they are offering a 25% off this week
http://www.harborfreight.com/steel-f...eam-60762.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/steel-f...eam-60762.html
Last edited by gilbos440rt; Dec 17, 2015 at 10:34 AM.
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 55
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From: Ontario NY
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 31,626
Likes: 12
From: Sacramento California
You need to raise the rear higher than the front to drain the oil from the oil pan since the drain plug/bolt is in the front of the oil pan.
I use the rear ramps to give it some height for when I put my low profile jack under the rear cradle since I use a thick piece of wood shaped like the cradle to protect it and to evenly distribute the weight of the car across the cradle.
I use the rear ramps to give it some height for when I put my low profile jack under the rear cradle since I use a thick piece of wood shaped like the cradle to protect it and to evenly distribute the weight of the car across the cradle.
Hoping this will be easier. If I can get the Jacks plus ramps right.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 31,626
Likes: 12
From: Sacramento California
Pics would be great!
Thanks all for the advice! !!
Excited to start working on this one.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 31,626
Likes: 12
From: Sacramento California
I have one of these works well. You can always find a 20% off coupon, they are offering a 25% off this week
http://www.harborfreight.com/steel-f...eam-60762.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/steel-f...eam-60762.html
Looks good if it works!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
You need to raise the rear higher than the front to drain the oil from the oil pan since the drain plug/bolt is in the front of the oil pan.
I use the rear ramps to give it some height for when I put my low profile jack under the rear cradle since I use a thick piece of wood shaped like the cradle to protect it and to evenly distribute the weight of the car across the cradle.
I use the rear ramps to give it some height for when I put my low profile jack under the rear cradle since I use a thick piece of wood shaped like the cradle to protect it and to evenly distribute the weight of the car across the cradle.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 30,360
Likes: 4,582
From: Bonita Springs, Florida
That is a much simpler method but I like to check things out underneath and feel safer under the car with Race Ramps plus jack stands. I have done it your way as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 8,900
Likes: 1,074
From: Wisconsin
