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Last week I started to jack up the car to change the front shocks.
I have had a set of plastic jack pucks, the ones with four prongs that snap into the jack point, for about four years, using them as garage pucks. I keep a set of aluminum pucks in the car, but have been using the plastic ones to jack the car four or five times a year.
Using the right front jack point, I jacked the front of the car up to put a jack stand under the right front cross member, but when I checked the height, pushing the jack stand under the car, the car was slightly too low. So I started to jack the car a little more to get it up another half inch when suddenly the prongs on the plastic puck sheared and the puck shot out from between the jack and the car, skittering across the garage floor. The car dropped slightly, catching the under side of the front fender between the jack and the frame, bulging the fender out slightly.
In a panic, I lowered the car rapidly.
Forgetting that the jack stand was under the car and not under the cross member.
Fortunately the only damage was to the Wheel well panel that covers the PCM.
A replacement should arrive in a day or so.
No more plastic jack pucks for me.
Last edited by jim993; 03-21-2016 at 10:14 PM.
Reason: Posted before finishing.
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-
'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Wow, sure glad you were not injured and the car was not damaged that much. I use a set of BMW jacking pucks that I think are made from some sort of composite material, but I'm not sure. Never had any problems with them, but the aluminum ones would most likely offer a higher level of safety.
Hockey pucks work great and don't break. You can drill a hole and put a bolt through the center to keep aligned and in place. Total investment under $10.
Wow thanks for that info. I've had mine in for a while now too. I think it's time for a change before something like that happens to me. Glad your car and yourself wasn't hurt to bad.
Hockey pucks work great and don't break. You can drill a hole and put a bolt through the center to keep aligned and in place. Total investment under $10.
The only problem is if you do not live in the cold area of the country where ice hockey is played, the pucks are not available at the sport shops. Need to order them on line. Minimal shipping cost from 'Dicks'.
What system is this and where can I get it? I have been working towards a 32 X 40 shop with 2 post lift, but that may be delayed indefinitely at this point. I don't like the way most portable lifts swing forward or backward and/or limit access to the center.
I installed a set of the Elite Engineering Rocker Rails on my car years ago. I drove up my Race Ramps and raised up the rear which provided enough space to work with my power drill. By using a couple of hydraulic jacks to hold the rocker rail flush to the frame, the installation was easy for one person to accomplish alone. I put a dab of blue locktite on each SS screw to hold them tightly in place.
What system is this and where can I get it? I have been working towards a 32 X 40 shop with 2 post lift, but that may be delayed indefinitely at this point. I don't like the way most portable lifts swing forward or backward and/or limit access to the center.
So?
I made it !!!! and the centers come out !!!!! I have the plans !!!I was going to get a Kwik-Lift but didn't like no access to the middle (as you also) car sits 21 inches off the ground and installed my headers with ease !!!!
No. The jacking point is recessed in (above) the rocker panel cover. You have to put something in there to space the jacking surface down below the rocker panel or it will crush.
I installed a set of the Elite Engineering Rocker Rails on my car years ago. I drove up my Race Ramps and raised up the rear which provided enough space to work with my power drill. By using a couple of hydraulic jacks to hold the rocker rail flush to the frame, the installation was easy for one person to accomplish alone. I put a dab of blue locktite on each SS screw to hold them tightly in place.
I have these as well and they are one of my favorite mod investments over the years. They also help with those pesky speed bumps.
However, due to the pan-style contact point on the jack I use, I still need to place a hockey puck in between the jack contact point and the frame rail. The good news is that the pan-style contact point is recessed so the puck fits in nicely and won't slip.
I made it !!!! and the centers come out !!!!! I have the plans !!!I was going to get a Kwik-Lift but didn't like no access to the middle (as you also) car sits 21 inches off the ground and installed my headers with ease !!!!
No. The jacking point is recessed in (above) the rocker panel cover. You have to put something in there to space the jacking surface down below the rocker panel or it will crush.
Are jackpoints recessed on all C5s? My 2000 FRC worked just fine when I jacked it last weekend. I just made sure I cleared the body panel. Mind you, i didn't use a floor jack, just a generic jack like the one below.
Are jackpoints recessed on all C5s? My 2000 FRC worked just fine when I jacked it last weekend. I just made sure I cleared the body panel. Mind you, i didn't use a floor jack, just a generic jack like the one below.
I've jacked my car up many times without any pucks/spacers. As long as you're careful not to pinch any body panels there's no problem. But these days I have the Elite Engineering rails which are very nice and do make jacking completely idiot proof.
03-21-2016, 10:03 PM
No more plastic jack pucks!
