View Full Version : Using a floor jack on 95 Coupe
glaing
11-15-2004, 09:36 PM
I was told by what I think is an uniformed sales person that to jack up my (new to me) 95 Coupe that I should have the doors open so they don't get pinched? I've never head of this? Is there any truth to this?
Thanks from the newbie 1st time Vette owner.
George
Black396
11-15-2004, 10:06 PM
George,
You will get different opinions on this one....
There is some flex in the C4s. The later ones tend to have a little more flex than the early ones. It also depends on the suspension option. The ones with Z51 have additional support members and are more rigid than say the FE1 suspensions.
That said it is not necessary to open the doors to jack any C4. Some people do 'pop' the hood, doors and rear glass before jacking. It isn't necessary but it does relieve any stress that can be put on them.
Some people on the Corvetteforum (http://www.corvetteforum.com/) have reported that if the doors were open when they closed the hood that the hood slammed into the door panels.
I have an 86 and a 96 and have never had a problem either with jacking the cars with the doors closed or with closing the hood with the doors open.
It wouldn't hurt to check the clearances on your particular car before just dropping the hood if you have the doors open.
The bottom line is some individual cars may have more flex in them then others and it would be prudent to check the clearances on yours.
urtoslo
11-15-2004, 10:07 PM
I've had people open their doors, hood, remove the targa top, pop the rear hatch to jack up the car. I myself have never done that, and I jack up the whole side of my car in the center!
Maybe others will chime in with their horror stories, but I've never had a problem jacking it up with everything shut.
joe1968
11-17-2004, 02:31 AM
Hey George,
Congrats on the Vette and welecome to the forum.
Some people say you should have the doors open and some say you don't. I personally have lifted and jacked hundreds of c-4s and have never had problems with the doors pinching. Now it is not a good idea to be climbing in and out with a car on a jack just for safty reasons. just be shure you have the jack in the right spot and lift away.
Joe
glaing
11-17-2004, 03:01 PM
Thanks guys. I tried it the other night just to get the front up a little and to get a good look underneath. Real slow and with more than a few walks around the car as I was doing it. No problems, but I felt better getting the answers that I got here first. The car is a 95 6spd that I just picked up last week. Took me 30 years to finally get my 1st vette after years of waiting for the right one (in my price range). The build sticker says it has the Z07 RPO and has only 59K miles on it. I'm sure I'll be asking the usual newbie questions just to be safe. I don't mind screwing up working on my Saturns, but the Vette, that's a different story. Thanks for all the advice and encouragement. Next things on my todo list is flush the brakes and check on the little squeeks and stuff.
l8r
G
Hey George,
Congrats on the Vette and welecome to the forum.
Some people say you should have the doors open and some say you don't. I personally have lifted and jacked hundreds of c-4s and have never had problems with the doors pinching. Now it is not a good idea to be climbing in and out with a car on a jack just for safty reasons. just be shure you have the jack in the right spot and lift away.
Joe
urtoslo
11-17-2004, 03:15 PM
I like the Z07 option! Great mileage too! Congrats on your purchase!
Black396
11-17-2004, 04:47 PM
Z07 6speed w/ 59K = SWEET!
Congrats on your new family member. Don't feel bad if your wife catches you just sitting in the car at night before bed, it's normal. (enjoying the 'feel' of the car, not getting caught that is) [:D]
LilRedCorvette
11-17-2004, 09:45 PM
Welcome, George, and congrats on the 'vette!
You will find that there is a wealth of information here, lots of great people willing to help, so don't be shy with your questions, ask away!
Best of luck to you with your purchase; hopefully we will see you at some club events!
[:D]
the doors open thing is a Corvette wives tale - it is simply urban legend [:p]
After 15 years of C4 ownership, I have not had any issues w/ either of the 3 I own, door shut.
What Black396 mentioned about making sure the doors are closed BEFORE you drop the hood IS TRUE!!! [;)] You might chip the rounded uppers of your doors when you drop the hood - now dropping the hood -vs- shuttinging it lightly and pushing down on it - that is a whole 'nuther debate [:D]
Z07 = [B-)] My old room mate is selling a 1991 Z07, Polo Green w/ black leather - know anyone interested [:-/]
LilRedCorvette
11-18-2004, 02:31 AM
Z07 = [B-)] My old room mate is selling a 1991 Z07, Polo Green w/ black leather - know anyone interested [:-/]
*drool* This is where winning the lottery would be good. Would love to have a LARGE collection of vettes!
Black396
11-18-2004, 02:56 AM
Z07 = [B-)] My old room mate is selling a 1991 Z07, Polo Green w/ black leather - know anyone interested [:-/]
6speed or auto? miles???? asking price???
Z07 = [B-)] My old room mate is selling a 1991 Z07, Polo Green w/ black leather - know anyone interested [:-/]
6speed or auto? miles???? asking price???
I just called my friend - the car just sold (I saw it 2 weeks ago) [:(] I am sorry - the car looked good!! [B-)] 6 spd - he said about 7500 took it...
Black396
11-18-2004, 05:16 AM
[I just called my friend - the car just sold (I saw it 2 weeks ago) [:(] I am sorry - the car looked good!! [B-)] 6 spd - he said about 7500 took it...
Damn!
janderson
11-18-2004, 04:34 PM
[I just called my friend - the car just sold (I saw it 2 weeks ago) [:(] I am sorry - the car looked good!! [B-)] 6 spd - he said about 7500 took it...
Damn!
Double Damn!
LilRedCorvette
11-18-2004, 04:49 PM
[I just called my friend - the car just sold (I saw it 2 weeks ago) [:(] I am sorry - the car looked good!! [B-)] 6 spd - he said about 7500 took it...
Damn!
Double Damn!
Ditto that!
[I just called my friend - the car just sold (I saw it 2 weeks ago) [:(] I am sorry - the car looked good!! [B-)] 6 spd - he said about 7500 took it...
Damn!
Sorry guy's - That was the second Z07 he has had this year - he also let an LT4 coupe go, for 14k...
I think he currently has a 97 six speed - selling in the mid to upper teens $$
He gets cars like that ALL the time - [B-)]
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