Jacking up a C5
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 142
Likes: 0
From: Twin Lakes Wisconsin
Jacking up a C5
What is the concensus on the jacking location for a C5 ? I purchased Mid America's jack insert. It fits my jack fine, and seems like a good idea, but the owners manual says to use the aluminum bulkheads instead of the frame holes.
Also, can the frame twist of a single corner jack lift induce those cracks that seem to be so popular in the lexan tops? Should I remove the top when jacking up the vehicle?
Also, can the frame twist of a single corner jack lift induce those cracks that seem to be so popular in the lexan tops? Should I remove the top when jacking up the vehicle?
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
You will find variations, but most of us jack at the lift points and support with jackstands at the cross-members.
The C5 has a solid frame that will not twist when jacking from one lift point at a time. C3's and C4's had more flexible frames, hoods and doors could not be opened when jacked at one point.
The C5 has a solid frame that will not twist when jacking from one lift point at a time. C3's and C4's had more flexible frames, hoods and doors could not be opened when jacked at one point.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 405
Likes: 0
From: Virginia Beach Virginia
Originally Posted by BigBlue
Do you have to buy those little jacking pucks I see advertised to jack up the car?
No, there is no law requiring you to buy them
I jack all the time with a street hockey puck the neighborhood boys gave me for a ride in the C5!Just position your jack at the lifting point and lift away...nothing else is needed.
Watch out for the Corvette Tax
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 559
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From: Plano TX
I just drive my car up on to 3 pieces of wood and put my jack under the car. I place a 4x4 on the jack and place it under the front/rear cross-member and just jack the car up and then put the jack stands on once it is raised all the way. Haven't had any problems and it's a pretty easy task even tho my car is slammed as much as you can. good luck with whatever way you choose.
--Marc
--Marc
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 8
From: Grosse Ile MI
Originally Posted by jrut
What is the concensus on the jacking location for a C5 ? I purchased Mid America's jack insert. It fits my jack fine, and seems like a good idea, but the owners manual says to use the aluminum bulkheads instead of the frame holes.
Also, can the frame twist of a single corner jack lift induce those cracks that seem to be so popular in the lexan tops? Should I remove the top when jacking up the vehicle?
Also, can the frame twist of a single corner jack lift induce those cracks that seem to be so popular in the lexan tops? Should I remove the top when jacking up the vehicle?
Check out the following procedure. I have used this and it is a very easy, stable method of jacking a C5.
http://www.z06vette.com/diy_lift.php
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Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 190
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Originally Posted by Lithium
I just drive my car up on to 3 pieces of wood and put my jack under the car. I place a 4x4 on the jack and place it under the front/rear cross-member and just jack the car up and then put the jack stands on once it is raised all the way. Haven't had any problems and it's a pretty easy task even tho my car is slammed as much as you can. good luck with whatever way you choose.
--Marc
--Marc
I do the exact same thing. lol I don't really care to much for raising a car one side at a time.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 8
From: Grosse Ile MI
Originally Posted by jrut
So which is the prefered point: aluminum bulkheads or steel frame holes ?
Leave the top on, no problem ?
Leave the top on, no problem ?
Either point will support the car very well. It just depends on what you are planning on doing under the car. If you want to slide under the side of the car and have a jackstand under the frame rail it may be in your way. If you support the frame jacking points, just be careful the jackstand is not touching any fiberglass.
Leaving the top on is not a problem since the C5 frame is so ridged, and using the method described in the Z06 forum, jacking under the bulkhheads should not have ANY effect on the top.
Dave
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,596
Likes: 8
From: Grosse Ile MI
Jacking/Hockey Pucks
Originally Posted by BigBlue
Do you have to buy those little jacking pucks I see advertised to jack up the car?
You can make your own jacking pucks easily. Check out http://97vette.com/
Last edited by stingrayl76; Apr 1, 2005 at 09:54 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,762
Likes: 2
From: Murphy TX
Crossmember here. Much nicer in my opinion than having one side 18" in the air and the other resting at that angle on the tires.
You do need to drive up on something though to get under the front...as said.
You do need to drive up on something though to get under the front...as said.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 1,945
Likes: 41
From: Corinth TX
Originally Posted by stingrayl76
Check out the following procedure. I have used this and it is a very easy, stable method of jacking a C5.
http://www.z06vette.com/diy_lift.php
http://www.z06vette.com/diy_lift.php
