C5
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 74
Likes: 14
From: Houston tx
I'm not frustrated, yet. I've only had my Vetter for a month, but I plan on keeping this car along time so I plan on purchasing certain equipment considering it an investment i.e. low profile floor jack. Granted I'm only a shade-tree mechanic - not like many of the masters that contribute on this Forum - but I've learned what I can do and what I can't. I don't mind paying a bit for what I can't do. As far as getting the lug nuts off, get a longer handle - leverage. Stay away from frustration, pursue the fun 
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Sep 10, 2018 at 07:50 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,496
Likes: 353
From: Little Rock Arkansas
A good harbor freight jack that can get the car up is ~$50-$60. Set of four decent jack stands will run you ~$30-$40. A four way tire iron (I actually recommend having a proper torque wrench even for lugs as lugs are supposed to be torqued, but "tight" will work) can be had most everywhere for ~$15. Can make jacking pucks for $15 with locally sourced stuff (look online for guides).
Jack car up in rear with new jack, put rear on stands, get at the front with your freshly made pucks, put on stands, get the wheels off, clean calipers, loosen them off, mask off everything not to be painted (including car obviously) paint caliper faces and bodies, while calipers off remove rotors (don't have to mask your rotors since the first few times you apply the brakes it'll knock the paint off the braking surfaces), paint, let dry, install rotors, install calipers, install wheels, lower car, let all sit overnight.
Can do all of that competently in an afternoon.
Jack car up in rear with new jack, put rear on stands, get at the front with your freshly made pucks, put on stands, get the wheels off, clean calipers, loosen them off, mask off everything not to be painted (including car obviously) paint caliper faces and bodies, while calipers off remove rotors (don't have to mask your rotors since the first few times you apply the brakes it'll knock the paint off the braking surfaces), paint, let dry, install rotors, install calipers, install wheels, lower car, let all sit overnight.
Can do all of that competently in an afternoon.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 39
Likes: 17
From: Bastrop Texas
Is it just me or are there any other owners frustrated that they can’t perform some of the work on their vettes due to lack of tools and mechanics????? I want new wheels but want to paint brake calipers and rotor hubs first. Makes sense right....except I can’t take the wheels off the car cuz I don’t have a jack and not sure I have the strength to get lug nuts off either! Just WTFFFFFFFFFFFFF
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,502
Likes: 471
From: Douglas County WI
A good harbor freight jack that can get the car up is ~$50-$60. Set of four decent jack stands will run you ~$30-$40. A four way tire iron (I actually recommend having a proper torque wrench even for lugs as lugs are supposed to be torqued, but "tight" will work) can be had most everywhere for ~$15. Can make jacking pucks for $15 with locally sourced stuff (look online for guides).
Jack car up in rear with new jack, put rear on stands, get at the front with your freshly made pucks, put on stands, get the wheels off, clean calipers, loosen them off, mask off everything not to be painted (including car obviously) paint caliper faces and bodies, while calipers off remove rotors (don't have to mask your rotors since the first few times you apply the brakes it'll knock the paint off the braking surfaces), paint, let dry, install rotors, install calipers, install wheels, lower car, let all sit overnight.
Can do all of that competently in an afternoon.
Jack car up in rear with new jack, put rear on stands, get at the front with your freshly made pucks, put on stands, get the wheels off, clean calipers, loosen them off, mask off everything not to be painted (including car obviously) paint caliper faces and bodies, while calipers off remove rotors (don't have to mask your rotors since the first few times you apply the brakes it'll knock the paint off the braking surfaces), paint, let dry, install rotors, install calipers, install wheels, lower car, let all sit overnight.
Can do all of that competently in an afternoon.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 2,215
Likes: 782
From: Fort Myers Beach Florida
So buy the tools and get over it. If strength is a problem with the lug nuts buy an impact tool or put a pipe on the end of your breaker bar for leverage. As far a needing painted calipers …….. your car will continue to function if you forget this idea. Mine is 16 years only without that "bling" feature.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
Learning to remove tire should be a basic for every driver. I was taught to change a tire by my dad and I was required to do so before I was allowed to drive. Having the strength to remove the lung nuts, could be a problem, however there are easy solutions, such as an extension bar. I'm sure there are other Vette owners in your areas that would be very happy to help you learn the processes. Learning to change a wheel/ tire is a great place to get started 'turning a wrench'. Next is an oil change,,,,,,,,
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 55
Likes: 6
From: Connecticut
I'm not frustrated, yet. I've only had my Vetter for a month, but I plan on keeping this car along time so I plan on purchasing certain equipment considering it an investment i.e. low profile floor jack. Granted I'm only a shade-tree mechanic - not like many of the masters that contribute on this Forum - but I've learned what I can do and what I can't. I don't mind paying a bit for what I can't do. As far as getting the lug nuts off, get a longer handle - leverage. Stay away from frustration, pursue the fun
of the car! Love this forum. Tons of good solid advice and um yeah... lots of opinions!😎
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,090
Likes: 3,462
From: Oswego IL
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 111
Likes: 19
From: Peoria AZ
If you're planning on doing any work on any car, tools are an investment. Also, if you are not confident in your abilities, don't put you or others at risk. Last thing you want is a wheel falling off going down the road.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6,090
Likes: 3,462
From: Oswego IL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
If you don't have the strength to take lug nuts off, maybe someone overtightened them. Get a breaker bar, with a piece of pipe to extend it if you have to. Then torque them properly.
This is no different than any car. You'll need tools to work on a car, or build a doghouse, or...
I got my first (small) tool set before I got my first car.
This is no different than any car. You'll need tools to work on a car, or build a doghouse, or...
I got my first (small) tool set before I got my first car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,473
Likes: 691
From: West Virginia
If you are going to have to pay someone to carry out every maintenance and repair task on what is at best a 14 year old car (and a 21 year old car at worst), you are going to go broke very quickly. Best to buy new and get the extended warranty.
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 76
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
Not not frustrated. I have a 2000 and I did 4 things when I bought here in 2003. (1). Ensures I had the basic tools to do “basic” work. (2) Ide tidies a good mechanic so I wasn’t dependent on the Stealership when out of warranty. (3). Read and became knowledgeable about the C5 and (4). Joined the Forum, which I have been tapping into members knowledge and experience for 15 years. The Corvette, and especially the C5 is a special car and fun to work on. Sure there are issues but the benefits far outweigh the issues I’ve dealt with. Take a deep breath and enjoy the ride! Don’t forget to wave!
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 55
Likes: 6
From: Connecticut
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 55
Likes: 6
From: Connecticut
Time to invest in necessities! Wish they taught me mechanics
back when I was in school😌