Disaster in Garage
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 3,903
Likes: 1
From: You know your drunk when you swerve to miss the tree then you realize its your air freshener! Covington Ga
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 925
Likes: 4
From: EXTON PA
A thread on the Forum shows the use of a piece of equipment called a cross beam adapter that is a stable steel bar that has adapters that slide out to adjust to the support brace and jacks. Looks like the best way to jack up a car with a stable result.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Oceanside CA
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
Wow, in one sense you were lucky. Glad it turned out for the best and kudo's to the forum member for their help.
Just a couple observation points I didn't see specifically mention. When reading the section in the FSM, the point they make regardless of the method of lifting, the contact point must span at least two ribs.
It is most apparent and easy to see this by examining the front cross member. From underneath, you'll notice at the lift point there is a circle of rib material with ribs radiating outward into other channels of rib material. You want your pad to span two of those ribs. Never let the jack to physically touch the lift point, use a pad of some sort, be it wood or metal.
Some people like to use a 2x6x18 piece of wood which for the rear section spans all ribs and extends about an inch on each end. As you jack the rear end you will place jack stands at each of the preferred lift points. Then let the hydraulic jack down just a little to allow the weight of the vehicle rest of the jack stands.
You might consider using car ramps with the pre-ramps to put the front up, then secure the wheels with chocks. Then raise the rear as described above and place the jack stands in place. I would think that would be a much preferred and safer method for using a combination of devices.
Sure everyone would luv a real lift.
Perhaps what happened was as the rear was being lifting, it also moves forward because when the front was lifted it put the rear at an angle that had to move slightly forward as it lifted, thus causing movement and jack collapse.
To do your own oil changes you need to get the vehicle up on all fours, so that the oil pan is level.
Just a couple observation points I didn't see specifically mention. When reading the section in the FSM, the point they make regardless of the method of lifting, the contact point must span at least two ribs.
It is most apparent and easy to see this by examining the front cross member. From underneath, you'll notice at the lift point there is a circle of rib material with ribs radiating outward into other channels of rib material. You want your pad to span two of those ribs. Never let the jack to physically touch the lift point, use a pad of some sort, be it wood or metal.
Some people like to use a 2x6x18 piece of wood which for the rear section spans all ribs and extends about an inch on each end. As you jack the rear end you will place jack stands at each of the preferred lift points. Then let the hydraulic jack down just a little to allow the weight of the vehicle rest of the jack stands.
You might consider using car ramps with the pre-ramps to put the front up, then secure the wheels with chocks. Then raise the rear as described above and place the jack stands in place. I would think that would be a much preferred and safer method for using a combination of devices.
Sure everyone would luv a real lift.
Perhaps what happened was as the rear was being lifting, it also moves forward because when the front was lifted it put the rear at an angle that had to move slightly forward as it lifted, thus causing movement and jack collapse.
To do your own oil changes you need to get the vehicle up on all fours, so that the oil pan is level.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,960
Likes: 21
From: West Norriton PA
St. Jude Donor '08
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Oceanside CA
I believe that is exactly what happened... Thanks!
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Oceanside CA
Fan Motors, 1 Fan
I just could not toss these in the trash before asking: anyone interested in my 2 fan motors and the remaining good fan blade? My Vette has 24k miles and the fan motors work just fine...
No charge--I'll even pay for the shipping! (maybe I should have posted on the "pay it forward" thread, but it's directly related to my "disaster")
GM Parts Direct says the following:
Fan motor, corvette 97-04 $115.82 $60.23
Fan blade, corvette 97-04 $73.48 $38.22
PM me if you think you might put these to use...
No charge--I'll even pay for the shipping! (maybe I should have posted on the "pay it forward" thread, but it's directly related to my "disaster")
GM Parts Direct says the following:
Fan motor, corvette 97-04 $115.82 $60.23
Fan blade, corvette 97-04 $73.48 $38.22
PM me if you think you might put these to use...
Last edited by Sargechris; Feb 11, 2010 at 05:09 PM. Reason: sp
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,977
Likes: 256
From: St. Louis Missouri
If you ever have to lift the front and the rear, I recommend having 2 jacks and making sure that each jack is able to freely roll (no little pebbles/rocks in the way of the wheels). I typically raise and set the front of the car on a set of jackstands on their lowest setting. Then jack the rear. Then jack the front again.
Kudos to the Marine that came to the rescue.
Kudos to the Marine that came to the rescue.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 629
Likes: 0
From: Oceanside CA
Did about 60 miles today... A-OK!! No noise, squeaks, rattles.. And temp stayed around 180-194*....
Very, Very Happy!!
Thanks again to all for the info & to my new "best friend" Chris!!
Very, Very Happy!!
Thanks again to all for the info & to my new "best friend" Chris!!
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 15
From: Ga
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 25
From: If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door. South West Florida / Livin' The Dream
St. Jude Donor '12
Wow, what a story! Thanks for sharing it!
It seems we are inundated with all the bad stuff on the news and just don't hear many stories like this one. 0331MARINE, Chris is obviously an outstanding person and will be rewarded for his willingness to help others. If I was in the military I'd be honored to serve at his side and / or under his leadership!
Thanks for sharing it!It seems we are inundated with all the bad stuff on the news and just don't hear many stories like this one. 0331MARINE, Chris is obviously an outstanding person and will be rewarded for his willingness to help others. If I was in the military I'd be honored to serve at his side and / or under his leadership!
