A topic for MYTH BUSTERS: Opening doors, hood, etc "to prevent damage when lifting?

[Paul Workman]

I first ran into this practice a couple years or so ago at a local Discount Tire store.

The short of it was that a corporate directive was at play, and the directive (according to the manager) required they open the hood, doors, etc before jacking or lifting the car. I was required to sign a waiver before they'd lift the car if I didn't allow them to open the panels. I signed it: of course the car didn't disintegrate before our very eyes as result

As a suggestion, and maybe an article for our Club's HOTB magazine, would there be anyone who'd like to research and get to the bottom of this "precautionary procedure"?

It might be fun!

.

[secondchance]

Doors on my 79 Trans Am would get wedged and wouldn’t open after the car being lifted.

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by secondchance

Doors on my 79 Trans Am would get wedged and wouldn’t open after the car being lifted.

On two occations I accidently drove my 95 LT1 car over the end of a pair of wheel ramps. The car crashes down onto the ramps, landimg on the frame just behind the front tires. If somthing was going to "pop" I'd say those were the times when it might happen...BUT DIDN'T! (After the 2nd time I left those ramps on the curb. In an hour they were someone else's problem, and good riddance!

[efnfast]

Originally Posted by Paul Workman

On two occations I accidently drove my 95 LT1 car over the end of a pair of wheel ramps. The car crashes down onto the ramps, landimg on the frame just behind the front tires. If somthing was going to "pop" I'd say those were the times when it might happen...BUT DIDN'T! (After the 2nd time I left those ramps on the curb. In an hour they were someone else's problem, and good riddance!

Um, twice Paul?

[32valvZ]

Well, I just dismount my wheels/tires and bring them to the shop for new skins, then bring them home and mount them myself. That said, I never open the doors, hood or anything else.... Ive not had a problem with any of the 5 C4's I've owned.

[FU]

Originally Posted by efnfast

Um, twice Paul?

Paul likes doing things twice

[Paul Workman]

Originally Posted by efnfast

Um, twice Paul?

Yeah.... I enjoyed the heart-stopping panic that ensued so much that I had to try it one more time for the thrill of it!

Once: be careful next time...

Twice!??: F'k these pieces of crap!

I went to Harbor Freight and bought a pair of floor jacks and sturdy stands - like I saw Mark Haibeck using and never looked back! (Thinking now maybe a LIFT might be the way (especially for old bones) to go. BUT! I STILL AIN'T GONNA OPEN NO DOORS, HOOD, HATCH, TOP, ASHTRAY AND CONSOLE LID to prevent cracking something! (Sheesh...)

[DRM500RUBYZR-1]

Originally Posted by Paul Workman

Yeah.... I enjoyed the heart-stopping panic that ensued so much that I had to try it one more time for the thrill of it!

Once: be careful next time...

Twice!??: F'k these pieces of crap!

I went to Harbor Freight and bought a pair of floor jacks and sturdy stands - like I saw Mark Haibeck using and never looked back! (Thinking now maybe a LIFT might be the way (especially for old bones) to go. BUT! I STILL AIN'T GONNA OPEN NO DOORS, HOOD, HATCH, TOP, ASHTRAY AND CONSOLE LID to prevent cracking something! (Sheesh...)

Now that's funny!
Marty

[Ccmano]

Yes! Probably the #1 C4 myth.... I have lifted many C4’s without an issue. Can’t say I have ever even heard of a problem as a result of lifting. You would think it would be in the owners manual, FSM(not in my 90’ anyway) or in a TSB, I’m not aware of any.

The only thing I have seen is damage to the hood and doors when closing the hood with the doors open.
H

[efnfast]

I would think the car would be stronger and stiffer with all the doors and windows closed?????