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jacking up a C5 one corner at a time?

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Old Nov 13, 2004 | 03:13 PM
  #21  
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What no fiberglass thats funny because I scraped under the door and It is fiberglass.
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Old Nov 13, 2004 | 03:25 PM
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I built some ramps to drive up on because I lowered mine. Once up on the ramps I can jack up the front and raise the whole front up then place jack stands. Works great for changing oil as well.
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Old Nov 13, 2004 | 06:05 PM
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Yall be careful!
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Old Nov 13, 2004 | 06:28 PM
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What, no fiberglass? When I had a run in with a concrete light pole “OUCH” it sure looked like fiberglass. There was a big jagged hole in my R ¼ panel and it sure looked like fiberglass to me, even through the tears!
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Old Nov 13, 2004 | 07:14 PM
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Originally Posted by PaPaChoc
What, no fiberglass? When I had a run in with a concrete light pole “OUCH” it sure looked like fiberglass. There was a big jagged hole in my R ¼ panel and it sure looked like fiberglass to me, even through the tears!
No fiberglass. The illustration below identifies the materials used in the C5 body panels.

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Old Nov 13, 2004 | 07:19 PM
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I agree with Patches all around.

No fiberglass. It might look like it, it's a fiber reinforced plastic basically, but it's not fiberglass. All of the strength, none of the weaknesses.

Jacking up a corner is fine, no need to open doors or anything. That's an old wives tale that comes from previous generation vettes. Besides, you really can't jack up a corner anyway. The frame's too stiff - it'll take the opposite end's wheel with it.

Dope
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Old Nov 13, 2004 | 07:42 PM
  #27  
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Originally Posted by 00hotvette
What no fiberglass thats funny because I scraped under the door and It is fiberglass.
You right there is glass in it but not like the old glass bodies. More of a composite now with a little bit of glass in it. My .02
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Old Nov 13, 2004 | 07:43 PM
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Originally Posted by StevieB
No, I just wanted to get a cheap jack and get it up high enough to pull one wheel at a time. Since it's a one time use, I don't want to spend a lot, but I don't want to damage the car either.
That won't work.

To do a good job, you're going to have to get to the back of the calipers, particularly the rear ones. That means laying down and getting under the car and that's NOT something you should do with just a jack.

Bite the bullet, put it on a jackstand and then just do one end of the car at a time.
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Old Nov 13, 2004 | 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Patches
No fiberglass. The illustration below identifies the materials used in the C5 body panels.
OMG! It's a Saturn!
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Old Nov 13, 2004 | 08:55 PM
  #30  
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Originally Posted by Benpup
Learned a trick about jacking a Vet from an old time GM mechanic. If you jack up just one corner at a time you should open the doors, the hood, the truck or the hatch. He said it lets the body flex without stress.
That was a suggested technique prior to C5, but the C5 is way stiffer than earlier models, so it's really not necessary. Jack away!
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Old Nov 13, 2004 | 09:49 PM
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You won't have a problem lifting a car like that. The C5 has a very sturdy frame.
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Old Nov 13, 2004 | 11:29 PM
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Originally Posted by JACKAL0PE
To do a good job, you're going to have to get to the back of the calipers, particularly the rear ones. That means laying down and getting under the car and that's NOT something you should do with just a jack.

Good point, I really don't want to get my melon smashed painting the calipers. A squashed melon just aint worth it. Anyway, why paint the back side that you can't see?
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Old Nov 14, 2004 | 09:45 AM
  #33  
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Originally Posted by SamsBud
That was a suggested technique prior to C5, but the C5 is way stiffer than earlier models, so it's really not necessary. Jack away!


The C3's and C4's were flimsy compared to the C5. If you can't jack up a car one wheel at a time, it's time for the crusher and a new car. You can prove this to yourself by jacking up the left front wheel, then open and close the drivers door. There shouldn't be a problem.
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Old Nov 15, 2004 | 07:20 PM
  #34  
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Originally Posted by StevieB
Good point, I really don't want to get my melon smashed painting the calipers. A squashed melon just aint worth it. Anyway, why paint the back side that you can't see?
Because you CAN see the back of the rear ones.
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