Are car jack pucks really necessary?
 

Hey guys I've seen the advertisements for car jack pucks for underneath your car to prevent damage when jacking your car up and I know some members here use them but do you really need these things? I mean is it that easy to damage the undercarriage? Just curious how useful they are...thanks.

nope not necessary

I always jack mine from the front and rear cross members, but I use the jacking pucks for the jack stands. I have had mine at a Corvette specialty shop and they always put the pucks in before the lift the car.

If you have the right jack. You cant jack on the fiberglass rockers, if you're only on the steal frame, no problems.

:iagree: I bought some hockey pucks for a couple dollars, used them a few times when I first had the car, and now they sit in a box. I take the crown off the jack and it fits fine. There may be a chance it slides, but I try to take it slow. I put the jack stands under the frame directly back from the wheels. There is a picture some where around here that shows the proper jacking/stand points.

I can see where they would be useful if you frequent shops that dont know how to lift a Vette (like "cheap" oil change places *cough* jiffy lube).

I bought the snap in place ones. Cheap insurance.

Not needed.

Yes you need them if you want to use a lift. The rockers wrap under the frame and the lift will crack them.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/y...816_153931.jpg

I can't believe all of you that say not necessary on the sides.... If you don't use them you will eventually get damage, whether its the first time jacking or the 100th. It may be minor or it may be major but it's bound to happen. Why take a chance when you can make your own for under $10?

Ok seems like this is a more complex issue then I realized...I will be installing new wheels and tires soon in my garage (because I dont want some idiot to over torque the wheels) so is there a thread link that illustrates exactly where to jack the car? Is a 2 ton low profile jack from harbor freight a decent jack? Thanks for the help.

Your owner's manual has instructions and diagrams of how/where to jack the car and where to put it on jack stands.

:iagree: Well spent $$ whether they are jacking pucks or hockey pucks just a little extra piece of mind. I have the permanent type and never have to wonder where the right spot is the jack up the car.

Not if the lifter knows what he is doing. It is protection against incompetence.

I jack mine on the frame between the two jack points. Whole side of car off the ground then lower onto jack stands at the jack points. I use the leave in place pucks just to help secure the car on the stands.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y50/ericrose/Jack3.jpg

Exactly.

If you take your car to a shop and it leaves your sight, you're at the mercy of whoever is assigned to lift the car. The mechanic may be qualified to work on it, but the person getting the car in the air might not be so "competent".

If doing your own work - not needed - but I consider them cheap insurance.

:iagree:

:iagree: ain't that the truth

Damn I had know idea jack placement was this critical, then again its fiberglass so I'm glad I asked...thanks for all the responses I will be breaking out my owners manual for jack placement and spending $10 very shortly.:thumbs::cheers:

For home? No. When someone else is working on it? Depends on how competent the person is. I lift the car at home using a piece of wood (block) between the jack saddle and the frame. I cut the block to fit where the bodywork is notched - that it works just fine. Hockey puck would do the same thing. But when I take it to the dealer I pop the pucks in.

Here is the color coded picture for ease of use.

http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/c6images...kdiagramlg.jpg

http://www.bugmanweb.com/c6/c6index.html