LABulldog

I just got through reinstalling the vapor canister (charcoal replacement.) and had just removed the jack stand. Started lowering the car with my jack (corvette jack, came with the car) and all of a sudden the block on the jack that the threaded rod threads into stripped out and the car dropped around 4 inches. Please, everyone do not work under your car with just a jack (especially a 22 year old one at that!). It's a good way to die a painful death. Always use jack stands or something mechanically suitable for supporting a car.

PS Anyone know where I can pickup a corvette jack cheap?

Stoge

First of all, :eek: :eek: !!!
Good thing you aren't one of the people who do use the jack and only the jack!

Someone knows the contact info, but Gary Gruhala (sp?) probably has some jacks laying around for sale.

Ryan77

I always use jackstands and the support a spot close to where I'm working with the jack also as added protection if any one of them should give out.

killain

If your ever doing any work on a car, Use a floor jack and Jackstands. Most of these corvettes weight somewhere around 3300 Lbs. That's a lot to try to get off your chest if it falls. :yesnod:

Crash Dummy

Years back there was a guy in New Orleans that had his street rod completely off the ground on 4 jack stands on a Saturday cleaning underneath for a show and it fell off & crushed him to death. I never have more than one end of the car off the ground at one time. The front of my car is on drive-up ramps right now with jack stands on both sides.

BeachinVette

About a year and a half ago I knocked my donor car off the jack stands trying to break a bolt loose, I was not under the car but it came toward me scared the poopie out of me. As I sat there getting over the minor heart attack I had,, I waited for the wife or one of my older kids to come out to see what all the noise was. I really think they have bought a really large insurance policy cause nobody came out to the garage. I also ran my car into the house (posted here when it happened) I was putting it back together and was always pushing it in and out of the garage. I had it running and made the dumb decision to drive it in well I had ZERO brakes I ran it hard into 2 hoods and my beer cooler at the head of the garage. Again nobody came out.
I can see were if you drop a car on your self you will only have a short time think about how you had it in the air. I guess regret how you had it in the air.

Bob

MotorHead

Same thing happened to me with the jack that came with myVette( GM original ) I hope more people read this and just throw that jack away before it kills someone

NHvette

Lucky I guess, since I haven't ever used the original jack

:seeya

Desertdawg

this makes me want to go out and chunk the original jack.....

I sure hope that I don't have to rely on it on some day...

BB wowbagger

Please dont use the original jack when you are working on your car.Its for emergency use only.Buy a real floor jack..Its a cheap insurance.. :smash: :smash:

Monkeywrench

I'm one of those paranoid guys that sticks 4 jack stands under the car when I just have one end up in the air. I had a close call with a jack when I was younger and it scared the poopie out of me. :eek:

Now I go a bit overboard. I guess it's better safe than sorry :yesnod:

Paul L

And don't use jack stands on asphalt. Particularly when the ambient temperature is hot. They sink.

Here is a jack.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=457438

Cooter Tech

I have talked about it before on this forum, but I urge everyone who uses a ramp or jack stand to look at the quality of the stands and ramps that you are using. Pay close attention to the ramps, some are made of stamped thin metal, they are bent at 90 degrees and spot welds are all that hold them together at the bend. Some jack stands are not much better, cheap metal and spot welds. These cars are heavy and low to the ground, not a pleasant way to end your day. No matter how much you love your Corvette, it don't care squat about you. Roger L. Gibbons

SmokedTires

Another thing i NEVER use the concrete bricks as jack stands, they have broken & killed many people.

** Tip ** When I'm working under the car, I like to put one or both wheels under too just in case the cr ever does fall off the jack stand, it'll be resting on the wheels instead of me ;) .

BB wowbagger

But hey..That could mess up the rims :smash: :smash:

Seriously,thats a very good idea..

Schmucker

Probably too rusty anyway ;)

l2vette

I bought a kwik lift for working on my Vette. Check out thier web site. http://www.kwiklift.com

thejaf

I would take my car to the shop if major underbody work was required. I'd rather spend the $$$ and live to drive the car. Guy who used to own my house died in the driveway when his car fell on him :( :nono:

Ganey

The stock jack is good. While I much prefer a floor jack, I have used the stock jack some. I used it on a much heavier vehicle than the Vette. That was when it partially stripped & collapsed. We did get the job done fine. Bought a new one from the Chevy dealer. I just carry it in the car for emergency use. That was awhile back & as I recall it hasn't been used yet.

:cool:

'79ProwlerOrange

ive always had access to a 2-ton floor jack so ive never used a stock jack on my cars. i have had to change a tire on my sister's friends bravada, i will never use the crap jack for anything else. i agree stock is for emergency only!