Oops - another jack failure
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 28
From: Escondido CA
Oops - another jack failure
So I don't post much but my own stupidity has brought me out of hiding. I was doing my first oil change today (after my 5 free ones) and to cut to the chase, the car fell off the jack while lifting. I destroyed my passenger fender, rocker panel and door. Its not the first time I lifted my corvette and certainly not the first oil change I have done in my life.
So now I have to swallow my pride and brace myself for my self inflicted repair costs.
Can anyone throw out some estimates for how much this is going to run me and any body shop recommendations in San Diego/Southern California?
On to the main event, brace yourself for some gruesome content:
So now I have to swallow my pride and brace myself for my self inflicted repair costs.
Can anyone throw out some estimates for how much this is going to run me and any body shop recommendations in San Diego/Southern California?
On to the main event, brace yourself for some gruesome content:
Popular Reply
Feb 12, 2018, 09:38 PM
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 28
From: Escondido CA
Wow I can’t beli what a lively discussion I have started. Certainly some strong opinions and advice here. I think some of y’all are more upset than me!
Anyways here my update: I filed a claim online where I didn’t have to talk to anyone. I filed it under “other” for what cause the damage and put in that it fell on a jack. Simple 5 minute process and I even got to pick a body shop that USAA endorsed AND a user here personally recommended near my house.
A few few hours later the body shop called to say they got the work order from my insurance company and asked that I bring it it. They said it should be pretty straightforward replacement job and I should have it back in 10-15 days. All in, it’s the best to come out of the situation I could hope for.
Anyways here my update: I filed a claim online where I didn’t have to talk to anyone. I filed it under “other” for what cause the damage and put in that it fell on a jack. Simple 5 minute process and I even got to pick a body shop that USAA endorsed AND a user here personally recommended near my house.
A few few hours later the body shop called to say they got the work order from my insurance company and asked that I bring it it. They said it should be pretty straightforward replacement job and I should have it back in 10-15 days. All in, it’s the best to come out of the situation I could hope for.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,694
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From: Rock Hill SC (Charlotte NC Area)
2022 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 982
Likes: 151
My guess $3,100 in parts, 10 hours labor, $500 then paint and blend $2,000. =$5,600. If it was my car. It would cost me $1,000 for a door, $350 for a fender. Do the work myself, then pay to paint and blend $1,500 = $2,850. You are a brave man for posting that mistake. But I can understand the regret you feel from the misfortune. S#,, happens sometimes and we just need to focus on moving forward and getting repaired. I’ll check eBay now to see if you can find matching doors. I saw a car being parted out that matches your color.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 6,140
Likes: 2,745
From: Northeast
I hope that nobody was injured. I surmised that the jack didn’t properly roll while lifting causing it to lean, which resulted in the car falling.
I suspect that damage estimates will be in the 5K range... particular the lower rocker as it’s glued to the frame resulting in higher labor costs.
If you plan to continue to change your own oil, then I suggest purchasing a set of Race Ramps. A little pricey, but worth it... and safer.
I suspect that damage estimates will be in the 5K range... particular the lower rocker as it’s glued to the frame resulting in higher labor costs.
If you plan to continue to change your own oil, then I suggest purchasing a set of Race Ramps. A little pricey, but worth it... and safer.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 982
Likes: 151
Yes race ramps are a must have. No need to get under a car if you feel their is the slightest chance of the jack giving out. Glad that you are alright. I just checked eBay. No doors your color. But they are selling for $1,000 shipped.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 28
From: Escondido CA
I cheaped out on not getting the jack pucks, I used some wood blocks that I used before when removing all 4 wheels to plasti-dip them. I must not have had the jack and wood blocks far enough underneath the frame and fully on the jack point. There is a bit of a curve towards the edge of the frame and I think that got the best of me. I made my own ramps before but they are too steep for the corvette, so for next time I am going to rebuild them so I don't have to use the jack. I am also going to buy the jack pucks.
Its a hard lesson learned and really emphasizes the point to not skimp on safety gear. One mistake erased a lifetime of savings doing my own oil changes. I am curious if anyone has attempted to repair such extensive damage themselves with fiberglass repair kits. Either way I am going to have to do as much as the repairs myself as possible. I bought the car while still in the Navy and I took a big pay cut getting out, so I don't really have $6k laying around. I may have to bench the vette for a while to save up and only drive the bar car and bike to work.
Enough of the sob story, lets hear what ideas and recommendations you have.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 28
From: Escondido CA
Thanks John, much appreciated. Hopefully some good karma comes my way.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,004
Likes: 392
From: Long Island New York
Good point, so that others may learn:
I cheaped out on not getting the jack pucks, I used some wood blocks that I used before when removing all 4 wheels to plasti-dip them. I must not have had the jack and wood blocks far enough underneath the frame and fully on the jack point. There is a bit of a curve towards the edge of the frame and I think that got the best of me. I made my own ramps before but they are too steep for the corvette, so for next time I am going to rebuild them so I don't have to use the jack. I am also going to buy the jack pucks.
Its a hard lesson learned and really emphasizes the point to not skimp on safety gear. One mistake erased a lifetime of savings doing my own oil changes. I am curious if anyone has attempted to repair such extensive damage themselves with fiberglass repair kits. Either way I am going to have to do as much as the repairs myself as possible. I bought the car while still in the Navy and I took a big pay cut getting out, so I don't really have $6k laying around. I may have to bench the vette for a while to save up and only drive the bar car and bike to work.
Enough of the sob story, lets hear what ideas and recommendations you have.
I cheaped out on not getting the jack pucks, I used some wood blocks that I used before when removing all 4 wheels to plasti-dip them. I must not have had the jack and wood blocks far enough underneath the frame and fully on the jack point. There is a bit of a curve towards the edge of the frame and I think that got the best of me. I made my own ramps before but they are too steep for the corvette, so for next time I am going to rebuild them so I don't have to use the jack. I am also going to buy the jack pucks.
Its a hard lesson learned and really emphasizes the point to not skimp on safety gear. One mistake erased a lifetime of savings doing my own oil changes. I am curious if anyone has attempted to repair such extensive damage themselves with fiberglass repair kits. Either way I am going to have to do as much as the repairs myself as possible. I bought the car while still in the Navy and I took a big pay cut getting out, so I don't really have $6k laying around. I may have to bench the vette for a while to save up and only drive the bar car and bike to work.
Enough of the sob story, lets hear what ideas and recommendations you have.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,602
Likes: 12,865
From: Virginia
Thanks for sharing the incident with us. By driving home what "can" happen may help save someone else's C7 or even more important life or limb.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...bo-skirts.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...bo-skirts.html
Last edited by Kevin A Jones; Feb 10, 2018 at 11:44 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 982
Likes: 151
To save money. Wait until you can buy these parts in your color. Check eBay constantly. Read joe mosfets diy widebody body conversion thread here on Corvette forums. It will show you how to remove the rocker panel and reinstall. This way maybe someone you know that likes working on cars can do this for you. Go to eBay and look up seller okautoparts or google and call them. Ask them if the doors and fender from the 2014 corvette they just got in is for sale. It matches your color.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 25,583
Likes: 16,942
Yes, indeed thanks for swallowing your pride and providing an important reminder to many.
Along those lines, and not intended for you, just general info, the leave-in hard plastic jacking pucks are less than $50, and coupled with a proper floor jack with rubber lifting pad, make it virtually impossible for a vehicle to fall off the jack.
Along those lines, and not intended for you, just general info, the leave-in hard plastic jacking pucks are less than $50, and coupled with a proper floor jack with rubber lifting pad, make it virtually impossible for a vehicle to fall off the jack.
