i have a 2x4 piece about 10in long (left overs from ramp build). i put that on the jack whereas the 10in length is running front to back, on the rear no worries, on the front just look out for the oil pan (again do it a time or too and its like butter-smooth) once it is up in the air i place a jackstand on each side of the jack with a piece of 2x4 about 6-8in long with 6-8in piece running front to back on each then slowly let it down on the stands which are under the crossmember. rear wheels are chocked and normally i have jacked it from the ramps i've already driven on. if i just lift the front, then after it is on the stands, if possible i leave the jack in place tighten but not in direct contact. i push on the fenders to make sure everything is sturdy then no worries. if i lift the rear too same process, push on front and rear fenders for sturdiness then no worries.

again to each his (or her) own and once you do it a time or two you will look back and say did i really post that, but then the sword has been passed to you to be patient and help the next first time vette jacker thru the process

 

Good advice, but I would add that if after you push on the fenders the jack comes up through the dashboard you may want to reposition and try again.

 

I don't think he meant with all his might...just enough to know it's ON the stands. Better a jack through a dashboard than a car on your chest.

 

thats exactly what i meant......if the guy is skiddish already, lets give him some reassurance before he crawls or creepers under it.

sorry i forgot the disclaimer......"if you are jacked up on juice let your significant other gently push the fenders for stability"

 

Went to HF yesterday (about 10 mi from home)... Had a blast!!

Got the alum. 1 1/2 ton Race Jack (blue/silver) for $59 with Coupon from Motor Trend... Also got 2 pair of 3-ton jack stands for $ 19.99 pair... Plus I used a 20% discount coupon on another item..

Also got a 18" long 1/2" drive breaker-bar for the lug nuts, as well as a 1/2" drive 15" torque wrench... Plus a height-adj. rolling stool, some disp. gloves...

All for $ 193 including tax!

Now all I have to do is get off my buttocks and make the wood cross-member supports...

I orignially only wanted to lift a corner to clean etc... Now I find myself talking about changing Oil, doing rotors, etc... Very interesting!

 

In lieu of driving up on wood, stepping stones, etc., would it be OK to lift the front by ONLY 1 inch with a 2nd jack placed on either front skid bar?

Again--only 1 inch or so, and only long enough to slide the low profile jack (with wood) under the front X-member... Tires stay on the ground, etc...

Just curious--seems like it would be easy and quick and eliminate the need for more stuff...

 

i feel like the original poster, ive jacked up many cars but the c5 scares me.

i bought the 2 ton low profile jack from HF for $180. the proble is that its to wide, if i jack it up by the cross member, i just barely dont have any room to put the jack stands.

i got some jacking pucks on the way now

 

i got my jack @ hf also......not sure model, etc. it is blue and silver and has the lighted jack pad.

when i jack it up i have just enough room on each side for a jackstand to the crossmembers, front and rear.

not sure what to tell you other than maybe get a different jack??

i have been under mine maybe 4or5 times now and i am getting confident that it no longer worries me.......the fender shake, which i was taught early in the 90's always makes me confident that unless we have an earthquake i'm gonna roll out just like i rolled under in 1 piece

good luck

 

i would be worried this is not a true jack point.....will it work, maybe.......test it on your baby then let me know

maybe use a puck with one jack and have the other jack ready to go under the crossmember.....the puck may get the front up enough and it is a true jacking point

good luck

 

where did you buy your pucks from

 

http://eliteengineeringusa.com/C5Products.html

called on the phone heck of a nice guy

plus they came in anodized blue to match the car.....had to get them from here

good luck

 

got mine from Elite Engineering also--red to kinda match my Mag Red

Just for fun I lifted on the psgr skid bar with my old cheap jack--only about 1 1/2 "--no creaks, groans, or other disturbing noises... And my HF jack then easily slid under and reached the front X-member...

Repeat: no lifting tires off floor via skid bar...

And now that I have my pucks & 2 jacks I can also just use the puck on one side, lift a little, then use the better jack up front... (if my old jack fits under the side with the puck in place)...

I think it's finally coming together!!

 

glad to hear it........few more times and you'll be the expert....

just remember luke, you have now been passed the torch.......it is your destiny to find others with jack questions and have the patience to walk them through what you have been through....yoda

 

Boy--am I bummed!!

I got all my jacks, pucks, jack stands and tools together...

Went to Home Depot and bought 2x6 pt lumber...

Chocked the rear wheels, car in park, park brake on...

Lifted the front using the wood--no problem (more on that later)...

Put the jacks stands under the wood in front in the correct locations...

Began raising the rear--again using the wood--got it up about 6"......

Suddenly, 'BOOM' and the front of the Vette crashes to the garage floor!

After getting my breath back I did damage inspection: Looks as if the jack stands pierced and shattered the lower section of the Fan Shroud... Fan Shroud is now loose... (many plastic pieces on floor),,,

Started car--no noise, but car was not yet warm... But I did note that the car seemed to run "rougher" after 30 sec or so (maybe I'm just upset, but it seem to idle roughly)

I've been reviewing the incident, and I think I made a couple bone-head mistakes: :o

1) since I was just "testing" this setup, I had not yet screwed the wood blocks to the front main wood cross-piece (could this have slipped?);

2) I may have had the V portion of the jack stand left to right instead of front to back (again--I am a rookie)...

These 2 things are the only things I can think of that may have contributed to the crash...

I am very happy, however, I was not under the car (I had already planned to NOT GO under until I finalized the wood pieces)...

Thanks for reading... Anyone have an idea how much $$ the shroud will cost, installed at a dealer? Ideas on what else could have/ may be damaged? (there is no fluid leaking or other obvious damage)..

Man--if you only knew how very upset I am right now... Have to get the tow on Monday...

 

sorry to hear that, know that doesn't make your wknd.

not sure without some pics or being there what may have happened.....did rear jack roll slightly forward while jacking?? maybe the jack wheels were not free causing it to pull the car backwards as it jacked instead of rolling the jack forward, if you will, as it was being jacked.

the jackstands were under the crossmember with individual pieces of 2x4's with the jackstands cradle running front to back? with my setup even if the 2x4's break the jackstand would still engage the crossmember.......sounds more like the entire car slid off the wood or the jackstands did not have all four legs seated.

not trying to add insult to injury just trying to help you find what went wrong without being there.

 

rereading your post......yes the v or u shape of the jackstands should be front to rear NOT side to side.

did you have 2 pieces of wood on top of each other that were not screwed or nailed together?

i do not use a jack block/jackstand block, in other words the piece of 2x4 i jack with is one piece and each individual jackstand has its on 2x4 piece (mine are not screwed together and i jack with a separate piece than i use the stands with).

rereading and rethinking i believe the double wood not secured to itself the sideways jackstands and possibly if the jack wasn't moving as you were jacking may be your culprit.

hopefully damage is minimal.....let us know tho

 

wkndwarrior: thanks for taking the time to evaluate.. I belive the jack wheels had free movement...

think it was the combo of the "wrong way" saddles on the stands plus the un-fastened wood-on-wood (one 2x6 with two 6" pieces at either end on top--done this way so when I place the jack in the center of the 26" piece it never touches the cross member)...

THen the stands were put under the "thick" sections of wood...

I'm gonna try to start it again tomorrow and see if there are unusual noises... but will be ready to stop in a heartbeat!

I will advise when I get an official damage report...