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I noticed anytime I bring in my car in for service, before they hoist it up they open the doors and hood. Is that so the body doesn't form any cracks or spyder cracks? should I do that if I use a floor jack to lift it?
Thanks
Ray Z
No need to do that. Since the Frame of a C5 is 4 time stronger than its predecessor the C4 ( 400% stronger ). The Hydroformed frame design was revolutionary. That practice was common at one time but this isn't the 80's.
Bill
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; Oct 31, 2018 at 11:09 PM.
This is an old thing that was done on older vehicles like the Corvette that would potentially sag on a lift and prevent the doors from opening or closing. Uni-body convertibles are typically the most at risk because of how heavy they can be. Uni-body cars themselves are cars that have some part of the body that is structural. Typically this is the rear quarter and rocker assemblies which account for major structural rigidity at the rear of the car.
While the C5 Corvette's chassis is effectively a convertible -style chassis (all C5s are built this way) the C5 is not uni-body construction. It's more of a body-on-frame type construction but it's not close enough to warrant being called a "space frame" like say a Pontiac Fiero. When a C5 is on a lift the panels are not being stressed because none of them are structural. It's chassis is extremely rigid and even very high mileage C5s do not see flex.
I do not see a reason to open any panels when lifting the car, even with a floor jack, and I personally just leave everything closed.
This is an old thing that was done on older vehicles like the Corvette that would potentially sag on a lift and prevent the doors from opening or closing. Uni-body convertibles are typically the most at risk because of how heavy they can be. Uni-body cars themselves are cars that have some part of the body that is structural. Typically this is the rear quarter and rocker assemblies which account for major structural rigidity at the rear of the car.
While the C5 Corvette's chassis is effectively a convertible -style chassis (all C5s are built this way) the C5 is not uni-body construction. It's more of a body-on-frame type construction but it's not close enough to warrant being called a "space frame" like say a Pontiac Fiero. When a C5 is on a lift the panels are not being stressed because none of them are structural. It's chassis is extremely rigid and even very high mileage C5s do not see flex.
I do not see a reason to open any panels when lifting the car, even with a floor jack, and I personally just leave everything closed.
Earlier Corvettes- like C3s- had a fair amount of frame/body flex but that's no longer the case- accordingly, no reason to open the doors. Some shops will do it because customers who think they know Corvettes will expect it.