Jacking a C5 Z06 using billet rocker protector?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 111
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From: Orlando Florida
Jacking a C5 Z06 using billet rocker protector?
Can I do it? This whole "puck" thing has confounded me because no one posts any pictures, so here are my photos (below). Now I have billet rocker protectors, so I'm curious if i can put the jack on that?
If I understand correctly, I can jack this car up using a puck or board at the jack point along the rocker panel either about a foot ahead/behind of the front/rear wheel well. So just to be very clear, if I put my jack on the jack point above my key in the first picture below, and place it on the billet rocker protector in the 2nd picture below, will the car be ok? This is just to change the brakes on that corner, not to get under the car.
Also I've looked everywhere for one of those crossmember support bars with the little pads on the top and can't find them. The link to the one from Northern Tool in the FAQs thread about jacking says they are no longer available. Anyone know of another place to get them?
If I understand correctly, I can jack this car up using a puck or board at the jack point along the rocker panel either about a foot ahead/behind of the front/rear wheel well. So just to be very clear, if I put my jack on the jack point above my key in the first picture below, and place it on the billet rocker protector in the 2nd picture below, will the car be ok? This is just to change the brakes on that corner, not to get under the car.
Also I've looked everywhere for one of those crossmember support bars with the little pads on the top and can't find them. The link to the one from Northern Tool in the FAQs thread about jacking says they are no longer available. Anyone know of another place to get them?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
My rocker protector has pads welded on that cover the hole in your second photo providing a nice large area to distribute the load. In your case, I would make something from wood that distributes the load over several inches of the rocker protector and drops into the location where the pad normally would go. If you reduce the pad size to fit the remaining area left in your second photo, you may dent the frame. That is a lot of weight on a small area.
Will a hockey puck fit in that area (where the hole is)?
Will a hockey puck fit in that area (where the hole is)?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
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From: Belleville Mich.
It doesn't appear to have enough room to twist a puck in there, the rocker saver's design doesn't allow enough room. Could possibly trim 2 sides off the puck & be able to twist on & off?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 111
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From: Orlando Florida
My rocker protector has pads welded on that cover the hole in your second photo providing a nice large area to distribute the load. In your case, I would make something from wood that distributes the load over several inches of the rocker protector and drops into the location where the pad normally would go. If you reduce the pad size to fit the remaining area left in your second photo, you may dent the frame. That is a lot of weight on a small area.
Will a hockey puck fit in that area (where the hole is)?
Will a hockey puck fit in that area (where the hole is)?
Last edited by Yorad; Jun 19, 2010 at 09:13 AM.
Team Owner
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From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I have the same aluminum protectors on my 02 coupe and I use my floor jack to lift the car at that point. The pad on my floor jack is wide and has a rubber insert. I place the jack pad under the hole for the puck and try to center the jack pad on the bar.
Using these locations, I only lift the car high enough to allow a wheel to be be removed. If I want the entire car off the ground, I'll lift just high enough so that I can get small jack stands under the crossmembers so that I can get the floor jack under the car and lift from the crossmembers.
Because my car is lowered, I can't use hockey pucks, but from the second pic, it looks like you could use homemade pucks with a smaller eyebolt that would fit in the frame slot and still be turned 90 degrees.
Using these locations, I only lift the car high enough to allow a wheel to be be removed. If I want the entire car off the ground, I'll lift just high enough so that I can get small jack stands under the crossmembers so that I can get the floor jack under the car and lift from the crossmembers.
Because my car is lowered, I can't use hockey pucks, but from the second pic, it looks like you could use homemade pucks with a smaller eyebolt that would fit in the frame slot and still be turned 90 degrees.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Orlando Florida
My car is lowered too, so thanks for reminding me I need to go buy some boards to drive on to to get a jack under it as well.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: South Western Ontario
Geeze, just jack on that aluminum strip. That thick a piece of aluminum will spread the load out over as much area as a hockey puck would. The concern should be the jack slipping off.
Peter
Peter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Longview Texas
That is why the pucks have the post that locks into the hole in the frame. You could always modify the post on the puck so that it just goes straight up into the frame hole without having to twist it.
At the factory they have 4 arm lifts and each has a puck and straight pin made into the end of the arm.
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From: Fremont CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I have the same rails on my car and have jacked the car up directly on the rails at every autocross for the last 6 years (over 100 events of swapping tires before and after racing). With over 200 full tire swaps, I can confidently say that jacking on the rails is JUST FINE. 
Pro
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Baxter MN
Yep - place your jack directly on that aluminum strip. I've done it to two of my vettes now without a problem. The contact points on your jack will spread the weight a bit, and the aluminum rails will spread it more. I've had GM mechanics who have worked on my C5 express appreciation for this add-on, as it allows them to place their car lift arms where they have the best access to whatever part they need to work on.
Glen
Glen
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From: Zephyrhills, Florida
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
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From: Fremont CA
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20
NCM Sinkhole Donor
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tempting
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From: Pasco WA
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