How do I jack up my ZR-1?

[bb62]

OK, so I have to replace the slave cylinder in my ZR-1. There are instructions in one of the recent Heart of the Beast issues. There are also instructions in the service manual. But I have no clear instructions for how to jack up the car in my garage.

I've seen instructions on that "other" site that were inadequate. I've also seen instructions online that were borderline stupid - like lifting from the side where they state that you will only damage the paint a little. I don't want to damage anything. My ZR-1 is pristine and I want to keep it that way.

1. I do not have either a 2 or 4 post lift.
2. I do have an ARCAN 3 ton lift. It will not, however, reach the front cross member without impacting the body.
3. I also have 2 jack stands.
4. If necessary, I can borrow another portable lift and additional jack stands.

The service manual shows 3 lift points:
- a, the 4 "Frame Contact hoists"
- b, the Floor jack (which no floor jack on earth could possibly reach
- c, the suspension contact hoist

Sure I can use the ARCAN to lift at the frame contact location, but then I would not be able to put the jack stands under. I want to do this safely both for the car, and especially me. Help?!?!?!?

[lfalzarano]

OK, so I have to replace the slave cylinder in my ZR-1. There are instructions in one of the recent Heart of the Beast issues. There are also instructions in the service manual. But I have no clear instructions for how to jack up the car in my garage.



I've seen instructions on that "other" site that were inadequate. I've also seen instructions online that were borderline stupid - like lifting from the side where they state that you will only damage the paint a little. I don't want to damage anything. My ZR-1 is pristine and I want to keep it that way.



1. I do not have either a 2 or 4 post lift.

2. I do have an ARCAN 3 ton lift. It will not, however, reach the front cross member without impacting the body.

3. I also have 2 jack stands.

4. If necessary, I can borrow another portable lift and additional jack stands.



The service manual shows 3 lift points:

- a, the 4 "Frame Contact hoists"

- b, the Floor jack (which no floor jack on earth could possibly reach

- c, the suspension contact hoist



Sure I can use the ARCAN to lift at the frame contact location, but then I would not be able to put the jack stands under. I want to do this safely both for the car, and especially me. Help?!?!?!?



Get a racing floor jack and then use your jack stands. Use the lift points in the manual and you will be OK.


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[TX '90 ZR1]

Do you want to lift the front or just the drivers side?
I just changed out a slave cylinder with the front raised.
Jack the front sides one at a time. Lift each side far enough to sit your tires back down on blocks about 4" thick. I use 2 2X12's stacked on each side.
With the tires sitting on the blocks you can get a low profile floor jack under the front cross member to raise high enough to get it on the stands. Be sure and use something to spread the load on the floor jack across the cross member. 2X4 or 2X6 about a foot long.
I put the stands just inboard where the frame starts turning.
Be sure & use a hockey puck or similar if you are lifting the sides with a floor jack. Also, be aware of brake & fuel lines when jacking.
Here's a pic of the area of where the slave cylinder is located. You can see about where I have the stands on the side of the pic.
Hope this helps.
7150

[bb62]

Get a racing floor jack and then use your jack stands. Use the lift points in the manual and you will be OK.


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The ARCAN that I have IS a racing floor jack - but it will not reach the center crossmember.

[TX '90 ZR1]

The ARCAN that I have IS a racing floor jack - but it will not reach the center crossmember.

See post #3

[Z51JEFF]

I’ve made several lifting pads for my jacks ranging from aluminum to ABS/thick polyethylene plastic. I’m the same way as far as using a jack to raise my car,why put a mark on something if it wasn’t there to begin with? I use the pinch welds at the front/rear and use small aluminum pads mounted on jack stands if I need to use jack stands to support the car,no metal jack contact has ever been used for as long as I’ve owned the car. I even have a round aluminum pad that fits in the recess of the floor jack. I must had made about 10+ of these jack pads over the years. Would love to posts some pictures but we all know how that goes. When I need to jack the car from the cross member I have a set of small wooden ramps I made and a small board that fits the cross member to raise the car.

[TX '90 ZR1]

Here's a pic of what I made to lift the car.
One on the left is for the rear. Right one is for the side lift points.
I use a 2X6 for the front.
7151

[bb62]

Do you want to lift the front or just the drivers side?
I just changed out a slave cylinder with the front raised.
Jack the front sides one at a time. Lift each side far enough to sit your tires back down on blocks about 4" thick. I use 2 2X12's stacked on each side.
With the tires sitting on the blocks you can get a low profile floor jack under the front cross member to raise high enough to get it on the stands. Be sure and use something to spread the load on the floor jack across the cross member. 2X4 or 2X6 about a foot long.
I put the stands just inboard where the frame starts turning.
Be sure & use a hockey puck or similar if you are lifting the sides with a floor jack. Also, be aware of brake & fuel lines when jacking.
Here's a pic of the area of where the slave cylinder is located. You can see about where I have the stands on the side of the pic.
Hope this helps.
7150

See post #3

Thanks! Great ideas! Much appreciated.

[bb62]

Here's a pic of what I made to lift the car.
One on the left is for the rear. Right one is for the side lift points.
I use a 2X6 for the front.
7151

What materials did you use? How did you attached the top and bottom to the cylinder? And what are the dimensions?

[TX '90 ZR1]

I just made do with what I found laying around. (I have access to a manufacturing facility that does metal work)
The piece I made for the rear is 4" OD mechanical tubing. I think either 1/4 or 5/16 wall. Cut it 6" long and bonded baler belt (as in hay baler) to the ends w/ E6000 adhesive. Any thick rubber material would work. I just happened to have some of the belt.
The piece for the sides is 3/4 inch plate cut in a cicle with the baler belt adhered to it. Diameter about 3 1/2".
I have heard a hockey puck will work for the side piece. Just need something to put in the floor jack saddle to contact the frame lip without putting too much stress in a small area.
The piece for the rear fits nicely just behind where the exhaust turns to the outside towards the mufflers. Might have to find someone to cut this piece for you. There is also a jack adapter for the rear available for sale that I have seen. Can't remember where I saw it. I'll look around and see if I can locate it.

[TX '90 ZR1]

Looked around for the rear jacking adapter. Believe it was available from the "Corvette Gadget Man".
Appears he may not still be around.
Do a search for him & you will find some pics of the adapter.

[Paul Workman]

I hear ya! I follow the pinch-weld forward of the "designated jacking point" (printed on the rockers) to where it curve toward the middle of the car and away from anything my floor jack is going to interfere with. Then I place a jack stand ahead of that - along that same pinch weld. NO SPECIAL ADAPTERS NEEDED (I find).

BTW, the article you referenced was mine. So, if you need clarification(s) or whatever, let me know!:cheers:

[Vette73]

I kind of wondered the same thing..? Maybe someone can post a photo with an arrow , showing where the jack should safely go...👍

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[Dynomite]

I kind of wondered the same thing..? Maybe someone can post a photo with an arrow , showing where the jack should safely go...👍

Sent from my LG-TP260 using ZR-1 Net Registry mobile app (http://r.tapatalk.com/byo?rid=90383)

Front just behind front Wheel Well between two Hash Marks
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/800x600-1/80-img_2662_41fc10eaa730f06eb8ef6ba34c19f57db2fac0af. jpg

Rear just in front of rear Wheel Well between two Hash Marks
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/800x600-1/80-img_2663_8c403a3b84b546176ec3c31534d82f7f09a56f12. jpg

The Best Jack is this 3 Ton Floor Jack from Harbor Frieght

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/600x450-1/80-3tonfloorjack_1__5c8038eb2df6a3c83bba22e552af4398b fc2a095.jpg

See Lifting the ZR-1 (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-zr-1-discussion/3005470-tech-info-lt5-modifications-rebuild-tricks-500-hp.html#post1580070574) for a specific discussion regarding lifting the ZR-1 with a floor jack, jackstands, and ramps.

[Vette73]

Front just behind front Wheel Well between two Hash Marks
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/800x600-1/80-img_2662_41fc10eaa730f06eb8ef6ba34c19f57db2fac0af. jpg

Rear just in front of rear Wheel Well between two Hash Marks
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/800x600-1/80-img_2663_8c403a3b84b546176ec3c31534d82f7f09a56f12. jpg

The Best Jack is this 3 Ton Floor Jack from Harbor Frieght

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/600x450-1/80-3tonfloorjack_1__5c8038eb2df6a3c83bba22e552af4398b fc2a095.jpg

See Lifting the ZR-1 (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-zr-1-discussion/3005470-tech-info-lt5-modifications-rebuild-tricks-500-hp.html#post1580070574) for a specific discussion regarding lifting the ZR-1 with a floor jack, jackstands, and ramps.
Hey thanks so much for the illustrations...Great job.....
Thank you.....

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[lfalzarano]

Front just behind front Wheel Well between two Hash Marks

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/800x600-1/80-img_2662_41fc10eaa730f06eb8ef6ba34c19f57db2fac0af. jpg



Rear just in front of rear Wheel Well between two Hash Marks

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/800x600-1/80-img_2663_8c403a3b84b546176ec3c31534d82f7f09a56f12. jpg



The Best Jack is this 3 Ton Floor Jack from Harbor Frieght



https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/600x450-1/80-3tonfloorjack_1__5c8038eb2df6a3c83bba22e552af4398b fc2a095.jpg



See Lifting the ZR-1 (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-zr-1-discussion/3005470-tech-info-lt5-modifications-rebuild-tricks-500-hp.html#post1580070574) for a specific discussion regarding lifting the ZR-1 with a floor jack, jackstands, and ramps.



That’s the jack I got. If your tire goes flat, this is the only one to get you out of that bind. Plus it is light and not expensive![emoji482]


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[cruban]

Front just behind front Wheel Well between two Hash Marks
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/800x600-1/80-img_2662_41fc10eaa730f06eb8ef6ba34c19f57db2fac0af. jpg

Rear just in front of rear Wheel Well between two Hash Marks
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/800x600-1/80-img_2663_8c403a3b84b546176ec3c31534d82f7f09a56f12. jpg

The Best Jack is this 3 Ton Floor Jack from Harbor Frieght

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.corvetteforum.com-vbulletin/600x450-1/80-3tonfloorjack_1__5c8038eb2df6a3c83bba22e552af4398b fc2a095.jpg

See Lifting the ZR-1 (http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-zr-1-discussion/3005470-tech-info-lt5-modifications-rebuild-tricks-500-hp.html#post1580070574) for a specific discussion regarding lifting the ZR-1 with a floor jack, jackstands, and ramps.

Did the same thing listed above but added this under the pinch weld.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQD0YXO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Dynomite]

Did the same thing listed above but added this under the pinch weld.

Rubber Jack Pad Medium Size (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MQD0YXO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Nice addition although the ridge seems very strong and I have a rubber jack pad :thumbsup::handshak:

I think I will get a couple of those :p

[conesare2seconds]

Ordered a set and will try them out. Thanks for the recommendation.

[5ABI VT]

I use my jack on the pinch weld close to the rocker as possible but underneath the car and place the jack stands further forward along the pinch weld as they get closer to the motor. Ill see if I can dig up a photo to better explain it

[cruban]

Ordered a set and will try them out. Thanks for the recommendation.

When you use them on the rear of the car, be careful not to get them close to the lines (brake and fuel). I cut about a half an inch off of one side of them to make sure they cleared properly. Other than that, they work perfect.

[Z51JEFF]

Looked around for the rear jacking adapter. Believe it was available from the "Corvette Gadget Man".
Appears he may not still be around.
Do a search for him & you will find some pics of the adapter.

They aren’t made anymore but somebody here made one out of a big I beam,I might have to look around and see if I can make one.

[conesare2seconds]

I bought an easy lift jack adapter from the gadget man last year. In theory, it’s a great tool. It’s a short piece of I-beam with a rubber pad on top. Put the adapter on your floor jack and position the jack under the rear diff, in between the exhaust pipes. It’s a smart product.

Unless.

If you have a 3” exhaust, it may not work. And because tolerances vary, the pipes will sometimes be closer together and sometimes farther apart. The space on my car isn’t wide enough for the adapter to center under the diff. I dropped the car raising it a few months ago when the adapter rolled off the jack pad. Luckily, it wasn’t high off the ground and the damage was minor - a small dent in the RS pipe. But I won’t use the adapter on the Z again.

I bought a pair of Rennstands for the back of the car. To use them, I anticipate having that first raise the car enough to put a 2x6 under the wheel to make enough clearance for the stand to go under the rocker. Haven’t used them yet, will report how it goes. Next house I buy is getting a lift in the garage.:dancing

[Flyman 27]

What do you guys think of using a jack pad like this on the pinch weld?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073SQRYB3/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A23JNNK19ET98P&psc=1

At least it will jack without pinching the fuel & brake lines.

[cruban]

What do you guys think of using a jack pad like this on the pinch weld?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073SQRYB3/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A23JNNK19ET98P&psc=1

At least it will jack without pinching the fuel & brake lines.

I looked at those but felt the hard rubber ones were better if your concerned about potential damage to the pinch welds. The recess on those is not deep enough to reach the depth of the pinch.

[Hog]

You could just get a hockey puck and cut a slot in it.

[efnfast]

I used a hockey puck, and the car cut it in half.