Is using a Lift at the Jacking Points Bad ?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2002
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Is using a Lift at the Jacking Points Bad ?
Is Lifting a C5 at the Jacking Points Bad ? Should it be lifted only at the suspension points/tires.
Am I nitpicking, or is this something worth avoiding at any cost (aside from a mechanic screwing up and cracking the rockers) as it loosens the frame? :U
Am I nitpicking, or is this something worth avoiding at any cost (aside from a mechanic screwing up and cracking the rockers) as it loosens the frame? :U
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
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Re: Is using a Lift at the Jacking Points Bad ? (see5)
We're installing A&A rails $ rollers on both our vettes. I know they cover up the key slots for the lifting pads. When jacking, does this create a problem or solve one?
Intermediate
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 34
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From: Washington
Re: Is using a Lift at the Jacking Points Bad ? (MiamiDave)
According to the shop manual, it's okay to lift at the jacking points on the frame rails.
However (I may be off on this), but I prefer to jack at the front and rear cross members. When you jack at the side rails, it ends up torqueing the whole frame, which I think is hard on all the places that are joined with bolts. It may have been my imagination or not, but with my older C5, I thought the car felt looser after I had jacked it at the frame rails several times. Just my 2 cents.
However (I may be off on this), but I prefer to jack at the front and rear cross members. When you jack at the side rails, it ends up torqueing the whole frame, which I think is hard on all the places that are joined with bolts. It may have been my imagination or not, but with my older C5, I thought the car felt looser after I had jacked it at the frame rails several times. Just my 2 cents.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Tupelo Ms
Re: Is using a Lift at the Jacking Points Bad ? (DanC5)
We're installing A&A rails $ rollers on both our vettes. I know they cover up the key slots for the lifting pads. When jacking, does this create a problem or solve one?
With the rails, you can jack anywhere along the rocker panel. One nice feature of the rocker rails. :yesnod:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,857
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From: Gainesville VA
Re: Is using a Lift at the Jacking Points Bad ? (MiamiDave)
Depending on the lift the built-in "claws" fit right in the space at the jacking points and don't even touch the rocker panel.
:seeya
:seeya
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Richmond Ca
Re: Is using a Lift at the Jacking Points Bad ? (MiamiDave)
I was concerned about flexing the frame, and making the car "looser" which is my biggest fear.
The car may be safely raised (by jacking or by a lift) at any of the designated jacking points documented in the manual (side rails or on the cross members).
[Modified by wwashing, 8:52 AM 6/11/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Chicago
Re: Is using a Lift at the Jacking Points Bad ? (wwashing)
I only lift it from the side if I am using jacking pucks. Otherwise I lift it from the front or rear cross member...Its much easier to lift the whole car that way anyway.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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Re: Is using a Lift at the Jacking Points Bad ? (Buckmaster)
This is for a header/exhaust system swap, and it is a guy who does 'vette work on the side, and has his own lift.
I would still prefer to use the car's suspension to lift the car, since it is spread out amongst several points in the frame-as opposed to 3200lbs split over four pin-points of contact.
I would still prefer to use the car's suspension to lift the car, since it is spread out amongst several points in the frame-as opposed to 3200lbs split over four pin-points of contact.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Re: Is using a Lift at the Jacking Points Bad ? (TooManyIDs)
Service Manual lists the shipping slot locations as lift points not as jacking points. The service manual says the jacking points are on the cross members. These frame lift points are designed to be used when lifting the car on a 4 point lift. The jacking pucks are supposed to be used in the rear since there is enough space for the lift to clear the body panels in the front.
However, since I do not have the special low profile jack I always use a jacking puck and jack one side of the car at a time from the front lift points. This will damage the frame. I know from personal experience, I have damaged the frame on both sides. The Kent Moore pucks are too small in diameter to use as the only lift point and put to much force on the frame so it bends inward right where the puck is installed. Both sides of my frame are bent inwards right where the jacking pucks go. This did not happen until I bought the pucks. Before that time I used a 6 inch piece of 2 x4 and never had a problem.
Bill
However, since I do not have the special low profile jack I always use a jacking puck and jack one side of the car at a time from the front lift points. This will damage the frame. I know from personal experience, I have damaged the frame on both sides. The Kent Moore pucks are too small in diameter to use as the only lift point and put to much force on the frame so it bends inward right where the puck is installed. Both sides of my frame are bent inwards right where the jacking pucks go. This did not happen until I bought the pucks. Before that time I used a 6 inch piece of 2 x4 and never had a problem.
Bill
Drifting
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: San Diego CA
Re: Is using a Lift at the Jacking Points Bad ? (MiamiDave)
Well... yes and no. The "lift points" are also jacking points for changing a tire. The manual says not to use them with jack stands, but many (including myself) do it anyway. It will not damage the frame and it leaves much more room to work under the car.
Mike :flag
Mike :flag
Tech Contributor
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Re: Is using a Lift at the Jacking Points Bad ? (Mike Schriber)
Mike,
You should look at my frame before you say it doesn't damage the frame. The frame is dimpled in about a half inch on both sides from using the lift points to change tires or to jack the car for service. It even looks like the tie down reinforcement that is riveted to these points is about to break loose from the curvature of the frame.
Bill
[Modified by Bill Dearborn, 10:18 PM 6/12/2002]
You should look at my frame before you say it doesn't damage the frame. The frame is dimpled in about a half inch on both sides from using the lift points to change tires or to jack the car for service. It even looks like the tie down reinforcement that is riveted to these points is about to break loose from the curvature of the frame.
Bill
[Modified by Bill Dearborn, 10:18 PM 6/12/2002]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Los Angeles CA
Re: Is using a Lift at the Jacking Points Bad ? (Bill Dearborn)
Service Manual lists the shipping slot locations as lift points not as jacking points
"Position the floor jack pad as follows:
Under the frame rail shipping slot reinforcements."
Of course, the front and rear crossmembers are also listed as possible floor jacking locations.
The frame rail shipping slot reinforcements are also listed as possible locations for jack stands.
If you use the lifting pucks with the floor jack you will avoid deforming the slot reinforcements.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,481
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From: San Diego CA
Re: Is using a Lift at the Jacking Points Bad ? (Bill Dearborn)
Wow, that sounds like major damage! What kind of lifting puck do you use?
I've been jacking at the lift points and suspending the entire car on jackstands there as well for years, sometimes for weeks at a time. I have zero damage and I've never heard of anyone else experience problems when using pads either.
I can't imagine that your frame would be defective but I can't think of any reason for that kind of damage to occur.
Mike :flag
I've been jacking at the lift points and suspending the entire car on jackstands there as well for years, sometimes for weeks at a time. I have zero damage and I've never heard of anyone else experience problems when using pads either.
I can't imagine that your frame would be defective but I can't think of any reason for that kind of damage to occur.
Mike :flag
Thread Starter
Safety Car
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Re: Is using a Lift at the Jacking Points Bad ? (Mike Schriber)
Wow, I'm glad I started this thread. I'm also glad the one oil change I've had I insisted they use a rollup ramp lift.
What sucks is now I don't know what to tell this guy who was going to do my exhaust on his home four point lift. He is a backyard mech, and I would have little or no recourse (he claims the pucks are no good, and uses blocks of wood with great success)
Is it necessary to have the C-5's rear suspension dangling like flippers in the breeze to fit uncut cat-back mufflers and pipes...?
He was going to do the whole job from new headers/cats/xpipe mufflers for $450, and now I don't know what to do... :rolleyes:
What sucks is now I don't know what to tell this guy who was going to do my exhaust on his home four point lift. He is a backyard mech, and I would have little or no recourse (he claims the pucks are no good, and uses blocks of wood with great success)
Is it necessary to have the C-5's rear suspension dangling like flippers in the breeze to fit uncut cat-back mufflers and pipes...?
He was going to do the whole job from new headers/cats/xpipe mufflers for $450, and now I don't know what to do... :rolleyes: