New tire time...need your advice

[MARKSC4]

It's not about brand this time. I need trustworthy advice. I've heard too many versions. When the weather breaks I'm going for new tires...and it's got me concerned...

When they lift my car:
1. Doors open or closed?
2. Removeable top on or off?
3. Hood open or closed?
4. Anything else I need to know?

Thanks in advance, I'm sure glad to have a place to get this kind of info.
Mark

 

[tlong]

Goodyear F-1 D3. Your main concern should be the tire pressure sensors if equipped. Lifting it on a four point jack presents few hazards. My $.02

There is a boatload of posts on this subject.

 

[1995 RedVette]

I've had mine lifted in all situations except for the door open, however with the windows both up and down, and had no ill effects. I have even lifted on side of the car with only one jack and then needed to get something from inside the car and was able to open and close both doors.

 

[JEFNLSA]

I've heard it's a good idea to unlatch hood & doors when lifting a Vette so that's what I do. Not wide open...just latches released.

 

[Vettefan87]

Make sure you have the doors cracked so that they are just latched, and the hood open. Fiberglass looks nasty when it flexes. Even if it is a four point lift, still crack your doors, and hood.

 

[JEFNLSA]

Make sure you have the doors cracked so that they are just latched, and the hood open. Fiberglass looks nasty when it flexes. Even if it is a four point lift, still crack your doors, and hood.

That's actually what I meant...Thx

 

[CLABORN1960]

When I take my car in for tires, they crack both doors, lift the hood and open the hatch... they say they don't want to take any chances...

 

[RonJ]

My 85 sits on a hoist a fair bit, like now, I am doing the main seal and timing chain. The hood is up, I'll open and close doors, never had a problem, never seen a sign that the car is flexing.

I have never worried about cracking doors or hoods or rear hatches on either car before hoisting it. I sure wouldn't take the roof out while on a hoist though!!!!!

Ron ...

 

[Fick]

Looks like I'm in the minority. I think there is less chance of body flex when the car is buttoned up. I always jack it up with everything closed, seems to be no twisting that way.

 

[Dean Barker]

I keep mine completely buttoned up also. I have opened both doors to get something from the inside, while on the jacks. They open and close just fine. I've noticed that the 06 Z06 has a non-removeable top to keep it stiffer.

 

[WhalePirot]

The hood is up, I'll open and close doors, never had a problem, never seen a sign that the car is flexing. I have never worried about cracking doors or hoods or rear hatches on either car before hoisting it.

Me neither, and have done a LOT of the same. My glass top is rarely ON!

 

[ZRXMAX]

I work part time at a Corvette shop... we lift C4s all the time... mine included... never had a problem with anything yet... with mine I even have to get in and out of it sometimes... the doors open and close with no noticeable difference in tolerances... the hood is always open and the roof is always on when on the lift...
my 2 cents...

 

[MARKSC4]

Ok, if I counted correctly, so far the tally is:

1. Doors - Open or ajar winning 4-2
2. Top - On winning 4-1
3. Hood - Open winning 8-2

(not counting the posts that say either way)

We know how much stiffness the top adds because we can feel the car flexing with the top off correct? Then wouldn't you think that if you induce too much twist the top could crack? OR does the top on keep it from twisting? :confused

I appreciate everyone's input

 

[tyrel]

A lot of these responses are quite humorous. Crack the doors, the hood, the windows, take off the top. People: this isn't a delicate car. The frame flexes a little, it's going to flex even when you're out driving or going over railroad tracks, why not keep your doors, windows, and hood cracked open all the time? If going topless were inherently bad for the entire car, then GM would have simply permanently bolted the top into place and not had a removeable roof at all. The car flexes, so what, all cars flex to one degree or another. The engineers knew this car would flex when they designed it. Park the c4 on an odd slope some time and try to open the hood or install the top, it's difficult if not impossible. Parking like this doesn't hurt the car.

 

[G Winter]

A lot of these responses are quite humorous. Crack the doors, the hood, the windows, take off the top. People: this isn't a delicate car. The frame flexes a little, it's going to flex even when you're out driving or going over railroad tracks, why not keep your doors, windows, and hood cracked open all the time? If going topless were inherently bad for the entire car, then GM would have simply permanently bolted the top into place and not had a removeable roof at all. The car flexes, so what, all cars flex to one degree or another. The engineers knew this car would flex when they designed it. Park the c4 on an odd slope some time and try to open the hood or install the top, it's difficult if not impossible. Parking like this doesn't hurt the car.

I have to admit my convertible don't flex a lot. sure can't jack the front tire off the ground much without the back tire also being off the ground. This vette has to have the stiffest frame of any car I have ever own. I just pop the hood when I jack it up. Mostly for the reason that I ususally want it open after it is up anyhow and it opens easier before I lift it .

 

[EttevroC]

Per the 101 Projects for C4 book, you can place the jack under the frame rail right in between the wheels and jack up the whole side of your vette like they do in NASCAR.

I used to own a Pontiac Fiero and used to jack the whole side of that car all the time, it was so quick and convenient that I'm planning on doing the same with my vette.

 

[Moonunit 451]

A lot of these responses are quite humorous. Crack the doors, the hood, the windows, take off the top. People: this isn't a delicate car. The frame flexes a little, it's going to flex even when you're out driving or going over railroad tracks, why not keep your doors, windows, and hood cracked open all the time? If going topless were inherently bad for the entire car, then GM would have simply permanently bolted the top into place and not had a removeable roof at all. The car flexes, so what, all cars flex to one degree or another. The engineers knew this car would flex when they designed it. Park the c4 on an odd slope some time and try to open the hood or install the top, it's difficult if not impossible. Parking like this doesn't hurt the car.

Just do it, and don't worry about it

 

[NevadaJim]

Just do it, and don't worry about it

I agree. I've had mine on the lift at least a dozen times, some with the top on, some with it off. Doors and hood closed -- hasn't damaged a thing

 

[Achilles]

This is all new to me. I've always jacked the car up like any other car I've owned without any problems. It seems logical that if the rear tire raises while jacking from the front jack location, that the frame must be stiff enough to prevent body flex to the degree to crack the body. Besides, doesn't "plastic" flex?

Now if somebody says they run around their car 3 times while patting their head and rubbing their tummy before they jack up the car, I'm going back to steel bodied cars.

 

[Mart]

Now if somebody says they run around their car 3 times while patting their head and rubbing their tummy before they jack up the car, I'm going back to steel bodied cars.

Do'nt be silly, everybody knows you have to run around 4 times, and be yelling "I love corvettes".

Is far as jacking this stiff ride, I have never seen any flex either way.

Mart