Warning about jack pads
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 671
Likes: 0
From: Antelope CA
Really sorry to hear of your damaged panels. It's almost impossible to be sure you have a concerned employee moving, lifting, jacking your car. And even though they or you had the pads installed, damage was done.
I rest alot better knowing I have these rail savers from Elite Engineering installed. http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/Frame_rails.html of course all their products are outstanding quality
The install was pretty easy for me, once I calmed down form having one of the jackstands kick out on me
Had it up on 4 stands going a bit higher in the front, and my block of wood on the rear stand twisted 
made a hell of a loud bang, wife heard it but didn't come out to see how bad I screwed up 
It could have flown across the garage or into my legs, luckliy it jammed up between the sway bar and cross member. The Vette dosen't make a very good tripod.
Good luck with your repair, it can be a big job if done right.
I rest alot better knowing I have these rail savers from Elite Engineering installed. http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/Frame_rails.html of course all their products are outstanding quality
The install was pretty easy for me, once I calmed down form having one of the jackstands kick out on me
Had it up on 4 stands going a bit higher in the front, and my block of wood on the rear stand twisted made a hell of a loud bang, wife heard it but didn't come out to see how bad I screwed up It could have flown across the garage or into my legs, luckliy it jammed up between the sway bar and cross member. The Vette dosen't make a very good tripod.Good luck with your repair, it can be a big job if done right.
CF Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 23,313
Likes: 25
From: Tucson Arizona
I'm sorry about the damage to your car. I'm a firm believer that jacking pucks should never be left installed 24/7. They should be put-in as needed and promptly removed thereafter. I've heard of several instances where installed jacking pucks snagged on a speed bump and damaged the car.
To you credit, you did inform the service writer (the jacking pucks were installed) and from that point the dealership bears responsibility. I realize the damage is done but it's not your fault. Hindsight is 20/20...a note taped on the dash would have been advisable but that too may not have prevented the damage.
The few times my car has been to the dealership, I've installed my jacking pucks, told the service advisor and taped written instructions and warnings on the dash. On one occasion, despite my note advising about the jacking pucks and placing the car in reverse when parking...they still managed to kill my battery by not parking the car in reverse. Sometimes even a written note doesn't prevent a problem.
The damage to your car is unfortunate but I still think you did the right thing installing the jacking pucks before servicing the car at the dealership.
To you credit, you did inform the service writer (the jacking pucks were installed) and from that point the dealership bears responsibility. I realize the damage is done but it's not your fault. Hindsight is 20/20...a note taped on the dash would have been advisable but that too may not have prevented the damage.
The few times my car has been to the dealership, I've installed my jacking pucks, told the service advisor and taped written instructions and warnings on the dash. On one occasion, despite my note advising about the jacking pucks and placing the car in reverse when parking...they still managed to kill my battery by not parking the car in reverse. Sometimes even a written note doesn't prevent a problem.
The damage to your car is unfortunate but I still think you did the right thing installing the jacking pucks before servicing the car at the dealership.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 4,289
Likes: 129
From: Providence Forge, VA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
I think we have to be careful not to confuse people over the use of pucks. I agree that having them "permanently" installed may cause a problem. However, to in anyway insinuate that there's as much risk of damage, if not more, by using pucks is bad advice, especially for new owners. Virtually all the rail damage reported has been due to mechanics not using pucks. 
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 1
From: Southlake Texas
I installed the polyurethane rocker rails with the thinner, round BMW pucks. The pucks and rails both extend exactly 5/16-inch below the rocker panels and together provide great protection.
Last edited by WHT; Oct 26, 2008 at 10:44 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,709
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '06
I had one of my rectangular pads knocked off my a large piece of road debris. My rocker was scratched a bit by the debris (not cracked) and the pad was gone.
After that I decided to go back to the thinner round pads thinking stuff was less likely to hang up on them due to their thickness and tapered edges.
After that I decided to go back to the thinner round pads thinking stuff was less likely to hang up on them due to their thickness and tapered edges.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: 35 Miles NE of Phila. Pa.
I just spent an hour putting my car up on blocks & looking under with a drop light & mirror at the lifting points both front & rear & can’t find any slot to put my eye bolt hockey pucks in & be able to turn & lock then in. Are these slots on the 08. 
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 227
Likes: 4
From: Kent WA
Lifting Pucks
I just got a set of PS-2s at Discount Tires. They asked for the key???, I said I'll drive it on for you. There was no problem with that. Later, I drove it off too. No problem, no unfortunate incidents.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 11,083
Likes: 29
From: Murfreesboro TN
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: South Carolina
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,565
Likes: 2
From: The Great Pacific Northwest...........I carry a gun cause a cops too heavy.
I rest alot better knowing I have these rail savers from Elite Engineering installed. http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/Frame_rails.html
I even gave my pucks away 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,247
Likes: 0
From: Carlisle PA
I went the frame rail way...costs a little more...but lots of piece of mind. You or your shop can't touch your rocker panels with these. I highly recommend them.
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/Frame_rails.html
http://www.eliteengineeringusa.com/Frame_rails.html
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Well, apparently, it wasn't the lifting part where it happened; it was the driving-off part
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 127
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
I think we have to be careful not to confuse people over the use of pucks. I agree that having them "permanently" installed may cause a problem. However, to in anyway insinuate that there's as much risk of damage, if not more, by using pucks is bad advice, especially for new owners. Virtually all the rail damage reported has been due to mechanics not using pucks.
I also agree that having them "permanently" installed increases the risk of damage outside the shop that otherwise would not occur. However, in this case, I don't think that had anything to do with what happened.
Anyway, I'm just relating my experience so other's might be aware of what can happen. Obviously people will do whatever they feel is best.
I got two good take-aways from this thread. First, if you don't have the pucks installed and damage is done, there is no question the shop is responsible for the damages. However, if you do have them installed, I could see the possiblity where the shop might hold the owner responsible and either refuse or make it very difficult to get them to pay for repairs. Fortunately, that wasn't the case for me, but I could see it happening. Second, I like the rail solution that some others are using. I might check into that as an alternative to using nothing.
