Jacking up

[Adetuono]

Well I've had the Z06 for a few weeks now, and with the oil-life meter sitting on 20%, thought I'd treat it to a new filter and a sump-full of Mobil 1. Got all my tools lined up, with a nice shiny bowl to catch the crud in.
The guys in the workshop unit next to mine have a 2-post hoist with extendable arms, so a quick word and in I went. Only the arms wouldn't slide under the sills.
So, back to the old ways, and out came the ramps. Nope; wouldn't fit under the nose.
Trolley jack & stands? No again. Can't get the jack under the front at all.
I ended up going to the garage where I have my MOT's carried out, who have a flush-to-the-floor drive on 4-post hoist. Job done; but a PITA. What do the rest of you do? There's got to be an easier way, or do I have to make room at home for a 4-poster?

BTW, had a good look around underneath while it was up in the air; bit unconventional, isn't it? Some nice detail touchs though. Did you know the underside of the boot has Corvette & the crossed flags moulded into it? Who the hell will ever see that, unless you've just driven over them?

[te51cle]

I made my own shallow ramps from MDF. Drive the front wheels onto them, then slide the trolley jack in and up it goes. Can just get the jack (with a hockey puck on it) under the rear suspension unaided. Haven't done an oil change like that though as the service has always occurred at the same time as the MoT or prior to that the full dealer service to keep the warranty people happy.

[GO55 USA]

Hi mate, BMW 3 series jacking pucks clip straight in to seals if it helps. email me if you want part no.

[vetteheadracer]

I have a NASCAR style low rise jack (roller at the front) which fits under my C5 Z06 just fine, look on EBay and I am sure you will find one.

[chrisx666]

I'm looking for a low min-height jack as well. Tempted by this one:

www.tooled-up.com/Product.asp?PID=123117&MAN=Sealey-Trolley-Jack-Premier-2ton-Low-Entry-Super-Rocket-Lift

[anonymous-user]

I use a set of wide low-rise ramps which were specially made in the workshops at AP Racing many years ago and also a second set I made so that using all four the car stays level for best oil drain. The ones I made are different lengths of MDF stacked, glued and nailed one above the other. This way you can tailor the height to exactly what you need and make the angle of rise as gentle as you like. For extra lift the trolley jack goes under real easy once the car's on the ramps - jacking puck is a good idea to protect your sills.

[yellowshark454]

Last year Halfords were selling an inflatable bag - ie a proper jack, for about 40 quid. I meant to buy it but never got around to it. It struck me as the perfect way to get the Vette off the floor. Anyone got one?

[Adetuono]

Got a choice of ways there then....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Draper-3-To

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dl

+ some MDF.... jobs a good 'un.

Ian, you mentioned BMW jacking pucks; do you fit them direct to the jack saddle?

Am I correct in thinking that the only safe place to lift a C5 is on the front & rear subframes?

[GO55 USA]

Adetuono said:

Got a choice of ways there then.... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Draper-3-To http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dl + some MDF.... jobs a good 'un. Ian, you mentioned BMW jacking pucks; do you fit them direct to the jack saddle? Am I correct in thinking that the only safe place to lift a C5 is on the front & rear subframes?

They clip into locating holes on sile edge. Ill post part no`s and picture tomorrow.

[GO55 USA]

GO55 USA said:

Adetuono said: Got a choice of ways there then.... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-Draper-3-To http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dl + some MDF.... jobs a good 'un. Ian, you mentioned BMW jacking pucks; do you fit them direct to the jack saddle? Am I correct in thinking that the only safe place to lift a C5 is on the front & rear subframes? They clip into locating holes on sile edge of car. Ill post part no`s and picture tomorrow.

[yellowshark454]

Adetuono said:

Got a choice of ways there then.... Am I correct in thinking that the only safe place to lift a C5 is on the front & rear subframes?

Nope. You can jack up on the side chassis rail. You will see 2 "holes" on both sides; put the jacking pucks in there (BMW ones fit). Personally not sure what the problem is on this thread(unless the C6 is deifferent to the C5). Jack it up on the side then put the axle stand under the front/rear x strut

[adetuono]

yellowshark454 said:

Personally not sure what the problem is on this thread(unless the C6 is deifferent to the C5). Jack it up on the side then put the axle stand under the front/rear x strut

Not really a problem as such; just that I had clearance problems and wondered what everyone else had done. For some reason I got it into my head that it wasn't advisable to jack-up on the side; guess I must have mis-read the book. Mind you, the owners manual takes a couple of dozen pages telling you how to wear seatbelts, so I'd probably got info-overload by the time I reached the more interesting stuff. (BTW, it's a C5 Z06, so the same as yours)

>> Edited by adetuono on Thursday 1st June 11:33

[anonymous-user]

Adetuono said:

Am I correct in thinking that the only safe place to lift a C5 is on the front & rear subframes?

...and the jacking points, as mentioned.

What you have to watch out for is some oily rag jacking the relatively delicate castings of the diff and sump. That's where the C5/C6 series cars are vulnerable.

[michaelz16]

yellowshark454 said:

Last year Halfords were selling an inflatable bag - ie a proper jack, for about 40 quid. I meant to buy it but never got around to it. It struck me as the perfect way to get the Vette off the floor. Anyone got one?

Yes I've got one and it's brilliant, but you'll need a car with a single exhaust pipe to pump it up. Initially I stuck the hosepipe funnel over one of the vette exhausts and couldn't figure out why there wasn't enough gas to fill the bag.......doh!!!