Lifting one side of car with floor jack?

MT-SS1LE · 06-29-2023, 09:54 AM

Picked up a 2023 SS 1LE a few weeks ago and just did a 500 mile oil change and plan to do the rear diff today or tomorrow. After doing a lot of reading on this site I purchased a set of ZL1 Addons lift pads and their lift puck also. Worked great for lifting the car and placing the front on jack stands.

But I do have a concern/worry. I had to lift the front about a 13'' off the ground to get my jack stands underneath. I noticed the rear tire lifted also. I know these 6th Gen Camaros are super stiff, but is it really ok to lift the entire side of the car like this? I was honestly worried about tweaking or bending something as I was doing it. It must put a lot of stress on the body lifting the entire side from one point, no? Anybody ever have a problem lifting the car like this?

Christian1LE · 06-29-2023, 10:43 AM

Yes it's fine. When I use jack stands ill use the front jack point to get the entire side up, slide jacks underneath then go to the other side and do the same.

Nothing like an SS · 06-29-2023, 12:06 PM

Car is designed to lift one entire side on the jack point, it is absolutely ok! Miatas do the same thing

WhiteMale · 06-29-2023, 12:44 PM

I agree, it's fine following the jack pads and/or pucks.

MT-SS1LE · 06-29-2023, 01:43 PM

Thanks guys, I appreciate the reassurance!

I actually have two low profile jacks and could lift both sides simultaneously if their was any possibility of damage using only one. But it would be more work, glad to hear it's not necessary.

Vtor_ZL1 · 06-29-2023, 02:05 PM

I do the same all the time - use front rearward most jack point to lift front and rear tire clear off the ground, makes for quick tire change.

Shock and Steel · 06-30-2023, 11:09 AM

That "middle" lift point (closer to the center of the car) is non-existent on the convertibles, because it is used for the extra cross-brace (added to convertibles for rigidity I believe). I have a 4-ton jack with plenty of stands, and I'm still looking for a way to use the jack and stands to quickly get one side of the car up. Not having that 3rd middle lift point makes it seem more tricky to me.

ZL-Addons recommends using 2 jacks, but I don't want to buy a second jack.

Anyone have advice of where to lift first, where to add a stand, and where to lift second to pull up the whole side? I have the ZL-Addons lift pads (for convertible) installed.

Dabjbr · 07-01-2023, 01:13 AM

Let me add one cautionary note…

Do not combine ZL1 Jack pads and hockey pucks. Adding additional items between the car and jack increases the possibility of sliding off. This is especially true the higher you raise the car. Be careful and only lift as high as you need.

Uk2019 · 07-01-2023, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shock and Steel

That "middle" lift point (closer to the center of the car) is non-existent on the convertibles, because it is used for the extra cross-brace (added to convertibles for rigidity I believe). I have a 4-ton jack with plenty of stands, and I'm still looking for a way to use the jack and stands to quickly get one side of the car up. Not having that 3rd middle lift point makes it seem more tricky to me.

ZL-Addons recommends using 2 jacks, but I don't want to buy a second jack.

Anyone have advice of where to lift first, where to add a stand, and where to lift second to pull up the whole side? I have the ZL-Addons lift pads (for convertible) installed.

You can lift the car using the extra bracing. The black painted tubular bracing where it's bolted to the pinch weld is more than strong enough for this. I lift my convertible at this point and then put stands under the front and rear most points where I have the bolt on lift pads. Have been doing this for a few years now and no deformation or any other change to the chassis brace

Shock and Steel · 07-01-2023, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uk2019

You can lift the car using the extra bracing. The black painted tubular bracing where it's bolted to the pinch weld is more than strong enough for this. I lift my convertible at this point and then put stands under the front and rear most points where I have the bolt on lift pads. Have been doing this for a few years now and no deformation or any other change to the chassis brace

I understand exactly what you're describing... but I think I should get different stands if I want to use them with my ZL-Addon Lift points. I could either use those hard rubber flat-top adapters that sit on the top of traditional jack stand contact points, or just get new stands that have flat tops. What stands do you use?

Uk2019 · 07-01-2023, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shock and Steel

I understand exactly what you're describing... but I think I should get different stands if I want to use them with my ZL-Addon Lift points. I could either use those hard rubber flat-top adapters that sit on the top of traditional jack stand contact points, or just get new stands that have flat tops. What stands do you use?

I have a couple of types but for the camaro with the bolt on metal lift pads I use those with a "vee" top as they're the most secure to stop the pads slipping sideways off the top of the stands. Even if the pads don't make full contact with the jack stand top (i.e just the metal corners of the billet jack pads) I've found this to be the most stable setup.

The Maverick · 07-01-2023, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shock and Steel

I understand exactly what you're describing... but I think I should get different stands if I want to use them with my ZL-Addon Lift points. I could either use those hard rubber flat-top adapters that sit on the top of traditional jack stand contact points, or just get new stands that have flat tops. What stands do you use?

These flat-top stands have worked great with the ZL1Addons lift blocks:

https://esco.net/product/3-ton-perfo...ck-stand-pair/

MT-SS1LE · 07-01-2023, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Maverick

These flat-top stands have worked great with the ZL1Addons lift blocks:

https://esco.net/product/3-ton-perfo...ck-stand-pair/

I ordered a set of these exact jack stands a few days ago. I have the normal height Esco jack stands, and even on their lowest setting they are higher than needed for an oil change, brake work, etc. I'll feel better about not having to raise the car as high, even if it doesn't hurt anything.

302crossram · 07-02-2023, 09:24 AM

I have two jacks, one on each side.

alternately pump each jack until desired height

EZ and safe

06-29-2023, 09:54 AM	#1
MT-SS1LE Drives: 2023 SS 1LE Sharkskin Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: MAGA MT Posts: 280	Lifting one side of car with floor jack? Picked up a 2023 SS 1LE a few weeks ago and just did a 500 mile oil change and plan to do the rear diff today or tomorrow. After doing a lot of reading on this site I purchased a set of ZL1 Addons lift pads and their lift puck also. Worked great for lifting the car and placing the front on jack stands. But I do have a concern/worry. I had to lift the front about a 13'' off the ground to get my jack stands underneath. I noticed the rear tire lifted also. I know these 6th Gen Camaros are super stiff, but is it really ok to lift the entire side of the car like this? I was honestly worried about tweaking or bending something as I was doing it. It must put a lot of stress on the body lifting the entire side from one point, no? Anybody ever have a problem lifting the car like this?

06-29-2023, 12:06 PM	#3
Nothing like an SS Faster!!! Drives: 2020 Camaro 1SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Long Island NY Posts: 991	Car is designed to lift one entire side on the jack point, it is absolutely ok! Miatas do the same thing Attached Images

06-29-2023, 02:05 PM	#6
Vtor_ZL1 Who Needs to KNOW? Drives: 18 ZLE Join Date: May 2018 Location: Left Side of the Moon Posts: 1,771	I do the same all the time - use front rearward most jack point to lift front and rear tire clear off the ground, makes for quick tire change. __________________ ing for grip. Are you in the NY/NJ/PA/CT region? Join us for autox fun at MetLife Stadium. HUGE lots, tons of runs. http://www.motorsportsne.com/

06-29-2023, 10:43 AM	#2
Christian1LE Drives: 2004 BMW 330CI, 2022 1SS 1LE Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: NC Posts: 745	Yes it's fine. When I use jack stands ill use the front jack point to get the entire side up, slide jacks underneath then go to the other side and do the same.

06-29-2023, 12:44 PM	#4
WhiteMale Drives: 23 ZL1 A10 Rapid Blue Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: MO Posts: 1,988	I agree, it's fine following the jack pads and/or pucks.

06-29-2023, 01:43 PM	#5
MT-SS1LE Drives: 2023 SS 1LE Sharkskin Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: MAGA MT Posts: 280	Thanks guys, I appreciate the reassurance! I actually have two low profile jacks and could lift both sides simultaneously if their was any possibility of damage using only one. But it would be more work, glad to hear it's not necessary.

06-30-2023, 11:09 AM	#7
Shock and Steel Drives: 2023 Camaro Convertible 2LT Join Date: May 2023 Location: NJ Posts: 147	That "middle" lift point (closer to the center of the car) is non-existent on the convertibles, because it is used for the extra cross-brace (added to convertibles for rigidity I believe). I have a 4-ton jack with plenty of stands, and I'm still looking for a way to use the jack and stands to quickly get one side of the car up. Not having that 3rd middle lift point makes it seem more tricky to me. ZL-Addons recommends using 2 jacks, but I don't want to buy a second jack. Anyone have advice of where to lift first, where to add a stand, and where to lift second to pull up the whole side? I have the ZL-Addons lift pads (for convertible) installed.

07-01-2023, 01:13 AM	#8
Dabjbr Drives: 2020 SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: NorCal Posts: 658	Let me add one cautionary note… Do not combine ZL1 Jack pads and hockey pucks. Adding additional items between the car and jack increases the possibility of sliding off. This is especially true the higher you raise the car. Be careful and only lift as high as you need.

07-02-2023, 09:24 AM	#14
302crossram Drives: 2023 Sharkskin 2SS Join Date: Oct 2022 Location: NWFL Posts: 758	I have two jacks, one on each side. alternately pump each jack until desired height EZ and safe

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