I can't get my trolley jack under the side of the car (just behind the front wheel) to reach the correct jacking point (the metal apex of the jack body fouls the sill). However, I CAN get the jack to the point on the chassis where the front suspension arm is connected. I know this isn't the 'proper' jacking point, but am I pretty safe to jack from there? I know I could drive the car up onto some blocks of wood to provide clearance, but I'm working in a very tight driveway with the house on one side and a fence on the other and it would be tricky to do.

Cheers,
Ian.
:cheers:

 

I'ved used this point to jack many times. :yesnod: :thumbs:

 

Cool :)

It LOOKS like the chassis at that point is aluminium, but surely it's steel, right?! I always feel a little squeamish when I jack the car... esp. when the jack starts creaking and I have horrifying visions of a loud crack and something breaking under the strain! Even though I've jacked hundreds of times, I still get nervous!

:cheers:

 

Drive up on blocks of wood and jack at the front cross member. Since you are limited with room on the side come in from the front.

If you do this rememeber to use a piece of wood or weight plate to span the cross member. :cheers:

 

OR

Turn jack inward toward car!







[Modified by wallstAL, 9:49 AM 9/8/2003]

 

This is probably the best alternative. You can jack front or rear, using the cross members, if you get it up a little on some 2"x10"s. Place your jack stands under the ends of these cross members too. :yesnod:

 

Here's how I often jack my lowered vette. First I jack from the center of the rear crossmember and set the rear wheels on ramps. Of course, the front wheels are blocked so the car can't roll foward and the jack has a block of wood on it do protect the crossmember and distribute the load.



Next I swap the thicker piece of wood for a thinner one on the jack pad for better clearance under the rocker panel and jack just behind the front wheel on my A&A Rocker Rails. Because I have the Rocker Rails, I can jack anywhere on the rails I choose. Sometimes I jack the front from this position and let the car back down. Then I push the jack to the middle of the center crossmember, jack the car up and place ramps under both wheels. The reason I can do this is because, when I jack the front up and let it down slowly, the shocks are partially charged (filled) and keep the body from sinking back all the way down, leaving just enough room for my jack to slide under. In this case I used an extra step. Below is a pic of the pad on the rail, ready to jack.



As you can see, the C5 frame is so rigid, the entire side of the car is jacked - even from this foward position.



After the front is up, I place a ramp under the driver's wheel, let the car down, jack at the crossmember, and place the passenger wheel on a ramp. Below is a pic of the quad-rhino setup. Notice I face the ramps in opposite directions to prevent the car from rolling in either direction. Makes for a small working footprint also.



Most of the time, I use the first, shorter method. To put the car back down, I jack the car up, remove both front ramps, let the car down with a piece of wood under the driver's wheel for safety clearance, jack the car at the driver's rocker rail again to extract the wood and let the car down. Then I let the rear down (with the fronts blocked. of course) from the center of the rear crossmember after removing the ramps.

I know it sounds like a lot but it only takes me a few minutes, I've done it so many times.




[Modified by Patches, 7:32 PM 9/8/2003]

 

I'm lucky to have a lift, but if you don't, just bought new all alum racing jack at Checker Friday. I really didn't need it, but sometimes just easier to lift it up on driveway to clean wheels, etc.

Normally 200, on sale for 149, there's as good as or better deals on the internet if you shop, but did it, and I have to say, quite impressed!!!!! Very light, and pumps up quick. Not cheap compared to some of the all steel ones, but I'm getting old, so "flippin" it around by the handle, cool!!!!! :smash: :smash:

 

2X10's (stacked 2 high if you're lowered) and crossmembers.