new owner with jack question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 43
From: Longview Texas
new owner with jack question
Just bought my first ever Corvette Saturday. Picked up a silver '04 auto coupe with 42,000 miles. I've always admired them for afar but finally took the plunge. Should have done it a long time ago ...
What type of jack can I pick up to fit under it in the garage to change oil? I have a nice floor jack but it's way too high. Also, where do I position the jack and put the jackstands in order to change oil? My gf has an '06 Chrsyler 300C SRT8 and I can use the jack on it as well since mine won't go under it either. Boy, it kind of doesn't make sense that I bought a C5 and still don't have the most HP in the garage.
Also, is it ok when people ask me about the car and a cringe goes up my back when they refer to it as a "vet"? Ugh! Please say the whole word ... I don't drive something that keeps my cat healthy. Don't know why that is rubbing me wrong already.
What type of jack can I pick up to fit under it in the garage to change oil? I have a nice floor jack but it's way too high. Also, where do I position the jack and put the jackstands in order to change oil? My gf has an '06 Chrsyler 300C SRT8 and I can use the jack on it as well since mine won't go under it either. Boy, it kind of doesn't make sense that I bought a C5 and still don't have the most HP in the garage.
Also, is it ok when people ask me about the car and a cringe goes up my back when they refer to it as a "vet"? Ugh! Please say the whole word ... I don't drive something that keeps my cat healthy. Don't know why that is rubbing me wrong already.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,549
Likes: 30
From: Shenandoah Valley Virginia
There are several types of "Low Profile" jacks available inexpensively that will work fine with the Corvette. Check out Harbor Freight or Northern Tool on line for their Aluminum low profile jacks. Usually cost < $100 or less if you have a local store and don't have to ship.
Do a forum search for "Jacking Puck". You will need a set or at least one for the car. You can make them yourself out of hocky pucks and eyebolts for about $3.00. Don't spend the bucks for the high priced aluminum ones - a waste.
Look at the frame on each side of the car about 6" behind the front wheel and 6" infront of the rear wheel and you will see a slot. That is where you should jack from on the side. If you want to pick up from the front or rear, just center jack on crossmember.
Do a forum search for "Jacking Puck". You will need a set or at least one for the car. You can make them yourself out of hocky pucks and eyebolts for about $3.00. Don't spend the bucks for the high priced aluminum ones - a waste.
Look at the frame on each side of the car about 6" behind the front wheel and 6" infront of the rear wheel and you will see a slot. That is where you should jack from on the side. If you want to pick up from the front or rear, just center jack on crossmember.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,182
Likes: 4,178
From: Kannapolis NC
Maybe they're referring to it as a "Vette" and you think "vet" for some deep rooted psychological reason. You probably won't care much for "vert" either. You might as well get used to it.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 145
Likes: 2
From: Macon NC
Welcome Tar Heel
From a WolfPacker. Is your vette Carolina Blue? 
Here are the jacking pucks that are not recommended to buy http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductD...L2-SR&CTitle=& I bought them anyway and use them with a floor jack to barely get under my 98. Notice the oblong top as that is the same hole (slightly larger) that you will find in the frame to place the pucks. I also changed my oil and found it necessary to place the jack under the rear cross member to get all the oil to flow out of the pan.
You might want to consider getting an analysis of your oil too. Blackstone www.blackstone-labs.com will do it and you get an idea of the condition of the wear on the engine.
Here are the jacking pucks that are not recommended to buy http://www.zip-corvette.com/ProductD...L2-SR&CTitle=& I bought them anyway and use them with a floor jack to barely get under my 98. Notice the oblong top as that is the same hole (slightly larger) that you will find in the frame to place the pucks. I also changed my oil and found it necessary to place the jack under the rear cross member to get all the oil to flow out of the pan.You might want to consider getting an analysis of your oil too. Blackstone www.blackstone-labs.com will do it and you get an idea of the condition of the wear on the engine.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,757
Likes: 1,215
From: Wisconsin
This thread will have answers to most of your new vette owner questions including jacking and jacking pucks
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...l-in-here.html
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...l-in-here.html
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 16
Congratulations on your purchase. I've enjoyed my C5 now for almost 8 years, Can't believe it has really been that long. What kind of jack you get really depends on how much you want to work on the car and how much room you have in your garage. I like to do as much of my own work as possible and found that the floor jack just was not cutting it. I bought a bendix sissor jack that can lift the car up to 56 in. It makes swapping tires, changing oil and other fluids, break jobs much easier. One person on this forum actually built his into the floor so he can park on top of it and drive it on to lift. I'm not so lucky, I have a set of 4 2X8 that I use to ramp the car up on so I can lift it.
It all depends on both budget and how much time you want to be under the car.
It all depends on both budget and how much time you want to be under the car.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 195
Likes: 7
From: Sneads Ferry NC
A good inexpensive floor jack, like a Pittsburg with 2 3/4" or 3 1/4" inch starting point will work, I got mine at the local Harbor Freight store. As far as the jacking points vs jack stand points, I went with the pucks incase I have it on the 4pt lift, but in the garage it goes on jack stands. Either way all works. You will find plenty of information on the forum to help you decide, I learn new information daily
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