Jack and jack stand use question
#1
Jack and jack stand use question
Although there have been a few threads on proper jacking procedure which were tremendously helpful (particularly this one: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-question.html), but as a first time Vette owner and first time jack stand user, I bailed out of a project because I was a bit surprised when I lifted the car to put it on a jack stand so I could take off the front passenger wheel (to take in for curb rash repair).
When I got it lifted high enough to get jack stand under, the rear passenger wheel was off the ground, and when I lowered the car down onto the jack stand, the rear wheel came down but now the driver's side front wheel was a couple inches off the ground. Since the jack stand was at the passenger side mounting point (on diagram in post #8 in thread linked above https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1591486414), I wasn't sure if I could leave the car in the air that way for a couple of days.
I thought about jacking up the driver's side and putting the other jack stand on that side, but my garage is a little tight (and I’m not ready to try to jack the car up from the front center yet.
Appreciate any advice/reassurance.
When I got it lifted high enough to get jack stand under, the rear passenger wheel was off the ground, and when I lowered the car down onto the jack stand, the rear wheel came down but now the driver's side front wheel was a couple inches off the ground. Since the jack stand was at the passenger side mounting point (on diagram in post #8 in thread linked above https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1591486414), I wasn't sure if I could leave the car in the air that way for a couple of days.
I thought about jacking up the driver's side and putting the other jack stand on that side, but my garage is a little tight (and I’m not ready to try to jack the car up from the front center yet.
Appreciate any advice/reassurance.
#2
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
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Location: NE South Carolina
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Although there have been a few threads on proper jacking procedure which were tremendously helpful (particularly this one: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-question.html), but as a first time Vette owner and first time jack stand user, I bailed out of a project because I was a bit surprised when I lifted the car to put it on a jack stand so I could take off the front passenger wheel (to take in for curb rash repair).
When I got it lifted high enough to get jack stand under, the rear passenger wheel was off the ground, and when I lowered the car down onto the jack stand, the rear wheel came down but now the driver's side front wheel was a couple inches off the ground. Since the jack stand was at the passenger side mounting point (on diagram in post #8 in thread linked above https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1591486414), I wasn't sure if I could leave the car in the air that way for a couple of days.
I thought about jacking up the driver's side and putting the other jack stand on that side, but my garage is a little tight (and I’m not ready to try to jack the car up from the front center yet.
Appreciate any advice/reassurance.
When I got it lifted high enough to get jack stand under, the rear passenger wheel was off the ground, and when I lowered the car down onto the jack stand, the rear wheel came down but now the driver's side front wheel was a couple inches off the ground. Since the jack stand was at the passenger side mounting point (on diagram in post #8 in thread linked above https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1591486414), I wasn't sure if I could leave the car in the air that way for a couple of days.
I thought about jacking up the driver's side and putting the other jack stand on that side, but my garage is a little tight (and I’m not ready to try to jack the car up from the front center yet.
Appreciate any advice/reassurance.
Not sure about the concern but I usually raise both sides and use two Jack stands if getting under the car.
Last edited by JerryU; 05-05-2016 at 11:37 AM.
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l.i. bruce fan (05-05-2016)
#3
Bit hard to visualize your concern, but at least with a Z51's stiff springs an rear sway bar (which the base car does not have) it's common when lifting from the side with Jack pads to have oth front and rear raise. The C7 has a very stiff chassis.
Not sure about the concern but I usually raise both sides and use two Jack stands if getting under the car.
Not sure about the concern but I usually raise both sides and use two Jack stands if getting under the car.
Wondering if it was a bad idea to leave the car jacked up with one jack stand (on the passenger side) leaving the driver's side front wheel to dangle a few inches off the ground.
#4
Melting Slicks
Jacking from the side is awkward for me just because of what you encountered. I always jack from the center (front or rear) cross-member and place jack stands on the outside (close to my floor jack) next to the lower "A" arm joints. Depending on how low your floor jack is, you may need to run the car up on a couple of 2X's before the jack will go under the cross-member.
Now if I'm changing the oil, the front two jack stands go under the front jacking pucks leaving the underside of the engine free for me to get at both drain plugs and filter. The rear stands will go under the rear cross-member keeping the car level.....just did this yesterday.
Now if I'm changing the oil, the front two jack stands go under the front jacking pucks leaving the underside of the engine free for me to get at both drain plugs and filter. The rear stands will go under the rear cross-member keeping the car level.....just did this yesterday.
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l.i. bruce fan (05-05-2016)
#5
Jacking from the side is awkward for me just because of what you encountered. I always jack from the center (front or rear) cross-member and place jack stands on the outside (close to my floor jack) next to the lower "A" arm joints. Depending on how low your floor jack is, you may need to run the car up on a couple of 2X's before the jack will go under the cross-member.
Now if I'm changing the oil, the front two jack stands go under the front jacking pucks leaving the underside of the engine free for me to get at both drain plugs and filter. The rear stands will go under the rear cross-member keeping the car level.....just did this yesterday.
Now if I'm changing the oil, the front two jack stands go under the front jacking pucks leaving the underside of the engine free for me to get at both drain plugs and filter. The rear stands will go under the rear cross-member keeping the car level.....just did this yesterday.
Last edited by l.i. bruce fan; 05-05-2016 at 11:52 AM.
#6
Drifting
I too have had this happen with my Z51, but since I was adding other jack stands it wasn't an issue. Think two rear jack stands is the only solution for a 2 day stay.
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l.i. bruce fan (05-05-2016)
#7
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
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Jacking from the side is awkward for me just because of what you encountered. I always jack from the center (front or rear) cross-member and place jack stands on the outside (close to my floor jack) next to the lower "A" arm joints. Depending on how low your floor jack is, you may need to run the car up on a couple of 2X's before the jack will go under the cross-member.
Now if I'm changing the oil, the front two jack stands go under the front jacking pucks leaving the underside of the engine free for me to get at both drain plugs and filter. The rear stands will go under the rear cross-member keeping the car level.....just did this yesterday.
Now if I'm changing the oil, the front two jack stands go under the front jacking pucks leaving the underside of the engine free for me to get at both drain plugs and filter. The rear stands will go under the rear cross-member keeping the car level.....just did this yesterday.
This is a pic from the 2014 Service Manual. Similar to what it says in the Owner's Manual but with more info. Lifting in the center, unless specified as acceptable is a risk, IMO and GM's of cracking the thin wall casting. Won't happen every time but small cracks can grow with repeated loading!
From 2014 Service Manual, Colored for Clarity.
Like You, I Raise Both Ends When Changing Oil. Made These Low Stanchions for the Rear That Fit With Just Small Jacks From The Side.
Last edited by JerryU; 05-05-2016 at 03:47 PM.
#8
Although there have been a few threads on proper jacking procedure which were tremendously helpful (particularly this one: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-question.html), but as a first time Vette owner and first time jack stand user, I bailed out of a project because I was a bit surprised when I lifted the car to put it on a jack stand so I could take off the front passenger wheel (to take in for curb rash repair).
When I got it lifted high enough to get jack stand under, the rear passenger wheel was off the ground, and when I lowered the car down onto the jack stand, the rear wheel came down but now the driver's side front wheel was a couple inches off the ground. Since the jack stand was at the passenger side mounting point (on diagram in post #8 in thread linked above https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1591486414), I wasn't sure if I could leave the car in the air that way for a couple of days.
I thought about jacking up the driver's side and putting the other jack stand on that side, but my garage is a little tight (and I’m not ready to try to jack the car up from the front center yet.
Appreciate any advice/reassurance.
When I got it lifted high enough to get jack stand under, the rear passenger wheel was off the ground, and when I lowered the car down onto the jack stand, the rear wheel came down but now the driver's side front wheel was a couple inches off the ground. Since the jack stand was at the passenger side mounting point (on diagram in post #8 in thread linked above https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1591486414), I wasn't sure if I could leave the car in the air that way for a couple of days.
I thought about jacking up the driver's side and putting the other jack stand on that side, but my garage is a little tight (and I’m not ready to try to jack the car up from the front center yet.
Appreciate any advice/reassurance.
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l.i. bruce fan (05-05-2016)
#10
I just don't want to f' this up.
Thanks!
#11
Race Director
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...2-minutes.html
Last edited by VETJAZZ; 05-05-2016 at 04:49 PM.
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l.i. bruce fan (05-05-2016)
#12
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
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I used one jack. I did right front, then left front - right rear, etc. Using 2x4's was a little precarious. I now have jack stands with rubber protectors on the ends, so I can eliminate the wood. Also, with eliminating the need for the wood protection, you can easily lift one side enough to place both stands. Check out this thread.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...2-minutes.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...2-minutes.html
Using 4 jack stands is not a recommended procedure (see warning on one of my best set of jack stands.) Since painting calipers does not require getting under the car it's not perhaps that bad BUT I would not get under a car with it raised on 4 stands.
Perhaps overly cautious but even changing oil the first time required me to switched to a 1/2 inch drive breaker bar from my planned 3/8 drive ratchet since one plug was that tight! Would not apply that amount of force with both ends of the car raised on jack stands.
To each his own.
Rubber pads for jack stands are a good idea. Using 4 jack stands to raise both ends of the car is warned against.
Last edited by JerryU; 05-05-2016 at 05:17 PM.
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l.i. bruce fan (05-05-2016)
#13
Le Mans Master
Race Ramps
#14
Melting Slicks
As in the photo posted, I set the jacks out close to the "A" arm connections.....no issues; look at it this way, if the area that is connected to the "A" arm can take all the punishment a pot-hole reddened road or high "G" loads turns at the track, it can withstand 25% of the cars weight (8 or 9 hundred lbs.)