How to properly lift and support FBody (Camaro, Trans Am, Firebird)

After owning several of these cars and seeing panel alignment issues I decided to make a video on the proper way to lift with a floor jack. This will work on 93-02 Fbody as well as some prior years. Models include WS6, SS, Formula, Firehawk, Firebird, Trans Am, Camaro, Z28
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[@johnnyroastbeef84]

That car is beautiful.

[@TWAMotorsports]

Johnny Roastbeef thank you. Looks even better with the new top. Check out the top replacement video.

[@Joepizzurro]

Thank you. I was gonna pull the rear and wanted to find a non axle lift point. Saved me time. Thank you

[@TWAMotorsports]

👍glad it helped you. Thank you for watching.

[@KennethWayne]

Bought a Camaro with the same body and was wondering why it looked bent like that on the subframe. You just answered my question lol thanks man great vid

[@TWAMotorsports]

Thank you. Yeah unfortunately most owners have no idea how to not bend them.

[@finkle745]

Thanks for this post, I have a LS1 Camaro and had those big gaps in the fender where it meets the door on both sides of the car from incorrect jack placement. I was able to bend them back very easily to align the fenders, thanks a ton!

[@TWAMotorsports]

You're welcome. Glad I could help

[@doitrightthefirsttime8952]

@@TWAMotorsports good video.

[@TWAMotorsports]

Thank you

[@Bird-dl7xs]

Thanks for the heads up. My 99 30th anniversary Trans am has been sitting, top end of motor torn down, since 2002. Got it to a shop and finally getting it repaired and restored and running. So there will be so many things I want to do when I get it back and your channel has so much great info, especially for the Trans Am. I wondered where the best spot was to jack the car and here you go. Love your videos, commentary, and how to are all very top quality in my opinion.

[@TWAMotorsports]

Thank you amd good luck on your build

[@Bird-dl7xs]

Hey Travis, on putting the jack stands on the rear end. Is putting them on the rear stabilizer bar bushings ok? Sorry, super anal about doing everything the right way with my car. Thank you

[@TWAMotorsports]

I don't like them there.

[@Bird-dl7xs]

@@TWAMotorsports I will be putting them on the rear end then. Thank you for always replying so quickly. Hoping to go pick my car up today and your videos are so helpful for my future projects.

[@TWAMotorsports]

You're welcome

[@wrenchbreakwrench1915]

Thanks still helping us from the future I got to help a friend fix his ws6 but all I'm doing is looking up youtube videos.

[@TWAMotorsports]

Thank you. Hopefully they are helpful

[@EDBZ28]

good video...I've owned a 2000 Z28 for almost 23 years and always wondered the best spot...and yes, a garage put a jack/lift in the wrong spot on mine too, but fortunately I was able bend it back.

[@TWAMotorsports]

Thank you

[@jameswood678]

Nicely done. Thanks!

[@TWAMotorsports]

James Wood thank you

[@BadBaru]

Did that to my 2000 Camaro when i was 16, i just purchased an immaculate 2002 Camaro z28, and it looks like someone did it to the passenger side but not the driverside. Good video

[@TWAMotorsports]

Thank you. Yeah its pretty common

[@sergiopereziii]

TYC fit and look great. Just bought some for my 2006 Tahoe Z71

[@TWAMotorsports]

They do fit great

[@ondrejbures3909]

Thank you!!! First time doing something on my Camaro this Saturday.

[@TWAMotorsports]

Glad I could help

[@ondrejbures3909]

@@TWAMotorsports Car survived. I survived too. No damage done. New bump stops installed after an hour long battle with rusty bolts. Happy end:-) Thanks again!

[@TWAMotorsports]

You're welcome

[@joshua_irving93]

Thanks, subbed up, beautiful car

[@TWAMotorsports]

Michigan Rootz thank you and thanks for watching and subscribing

[@kuyayan]

Nicee work! subscribed

[@TWAMotorsports]

+kuyayan thank you

[@jakereagan5805]

I jacked mine up from the subframe where you did it at first and it dented the absolute hell out of mine.

[@TWAMotorsports]

Certain jacks will do that

[@marcbrazzers]

@@TWAMotorsports I always put a 2x4 cut to fit between the jack and the frame. My jack stands also have rubber pads to insulate and not scratch the frame underneath (mine is POR15'd all under there)

[@TWAMotorsports]

That would help

[@DoctorHemi]

Great tips! Thanks.

[@TWAMotorsports]

Thank you

[@simonriddick]

My ws6 was never jacked on the fender tabs but so many of them have been just mangled. Personally I always put a piece of wood between and never had a issue with that. I had a ta girdle and a friend jacked my car up and just gouged the hell out of it. So at the back used wood again to not make direct contact. I do the same thing on my cobalt now always use wood. I parted out my Camaro and my jack was able to lift the car from the center of the body lol. I said holy shit I have my car off the ground it looks like it's flying. Pre 99 f body also got the plastic jacking pads so 93 to 99 I think and I have lifted from there but don't think you're supposed to. Stick with the frame rail.

[@TerenceMII]

I should have looked at this before i already bent the hell out of mines

[@TWAMotorsports]

+Terence M that is exactly why I made this. I dont want to buy them with jacked up fenders anymore :)

[@ryanstevens1855]

@@TWAMotorsports What is a good, quality floorjack to use to lift these cars? My floorjack won't really even fit under it.

[@TWAMotorsports]

@@ryanstevens1855 I like my harbor freight extended reach low profile one.

[@ummaolcese2255]

Sames

[@digitalmagicAR]

Thanks for the video. Lots and lots of dealerships have lifted those cars incorrectly even new ones

[@TWAMotorsports]

You're welcome. I agree that dealers destroyed have of them lol

[@tthoy7338]

Great video 👍👍

[@TWAMotorsports]

Thank you

[@Foxfloop]

Thank you so much sir!

[@g00dl00kinb0i]

I just used your front lift point to lift my SS today for a full brake system bleed and refill, made it just before Ida rains came by, now it's pounding like crazy out there and I have a bottle of black brake fluid at home. Too bad the visibility sucks in these Fs so much when it's raining.

[@TWAMotorsports]

Sucks that you are getting rain like that

[@g00dl00kinb0i]

I'll take the rain and wind, so many here in tri-state lost all of their belongings last night, hundreds of cars under water, same with homes, dozens of people drowned even. Yeah, my problems are none, stay safe.

[@TWAMotorsports]

Yeah that would be terrible. Glad you are ok

[@rodguitarezz3482]

Nice car.

[@TWAMotorsports]

+Rod Guitarezz thank you

[@WorkPlayDrive]

Thank you!

[@TWAMotorsports]

You're welcome. Hopefully it helps

[@jmwmotorsporthobbies4498]

Thanks for the video. I just bought a 97 Firebird and they sit so low to the ground I couldn’t figure out the best way to get a jack under it.

[@TWAMotorsports]

Glad I could help

[@JillyBean860]

I bought a floor jack from Harbor Freight that's specifically for low-profile vehicles. It slides under my Camaro with plenty of clearance.

[@TWAMotorsports]

I have one too

[@MrMcCoy-vs6ss]

For the placement of the jack stands in the rear, could you please be specific about where you place the jack stand. On what component do you place the stand? Thanks

[@TWAMotorsports]

Dave McCoy place jack stands under rear axle. Just behind brakes

[@branwenwashere]

call me crazy but In the rear I prefer to put it just before the diff cap. Always worried about bending that. Just a inch difference tho haha. I see you already responded to someone asking if you ever had a issue and you did not. That's good but I think ill stick with that inch further back haha. Thank you however for this video, I bought my 91 bird and someone had jacked it up on the drivers side on the fender, not the frame lol. its got a slightly bend fender. When I saw that I knew this things needed to be jacked up a certain way lol

[@TWAMotorsports]

Less area for the jack there and it's like a tetter totter but if it works for you👍

[@murryficklestien3843]

Thanks

[@TWAMotorsports]

You are welcome

[@marylamb6063]

Good video. What do you mean by the rear end where we place the jacks in the back?

[@TWAMotorsports]

Thank you. The rear axle

[@joeyofblades]

Didn't know about the frame rail in the rear, thanks. Question though, if you need to let the rear hang for suspension related things, where do you put jack stands? The side frame rail or subframe connectors if you have them seems to be the only place that can hold weight like that and those are pretty far forward on the car.

[@TWAMotorsports]

If you have subframe connecters on those

[@ipdjbt]

I have a slotted hard rubber jack pad made for pinch welds. I have yet to use it but I assume its safe to use without deforming the pinch welds?

[@TWAMotorsports]

+Maxey im not sure I would risk it

[@RonSavage01]

I've heard jacking up on the rear diff like that can crack the seal. Is that incorrect? Also, what ramps do you use? I don't feel comfortable under the car using jack stands.

[@TWAMotorsports]

I have never had an issue with that. I center that in the Jack so no pressure is applied. I use race ramps. I put a link in the description of this video. kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3XZqKKoqamDj7s

[@johnnylambeth2439]

Omg me to. I have a 3 ton jack and stands but I do not like getting under my trans am.

[@RL-RL]

I don't know about any one else, but my '94 Z28 has a spot on the front pinch welds that says "DO NOT LIFT" and oddly has a pad as well.

[@TWAMotorsports]

That is weird. Dont lift on pinch weld for sure.

[@RL-RL]

@@TWAMotorsports Most uni-body cars (Honda) etc, the pinch weld is where you lift them at. I know F bodies aren't uni-body, but after years of habit you have to be careful.

[@robertgoudy9305]

I just had to have the rear end cover replaced from the tire shop jacking up the rear of the car from the rear end . I have been told to put the jack on the sub frame in front of the rear tire .

[@TWAMotorsports]

If you are careful jacking from the rear isn't a problem

[@robertgoudy9305]

@@TWAMotorsports i tend to agree with you but got nothing but negative comments from several firebird groups .

[@TWAMotorsports]

They(Group members) also all only but btr stage 15 camshafts and wonder why their cars don't run. Lol

[@Daniel-hy3xp]

Came here after bending that fender thing :)) But the gap didnt change since mine is soo rusted where i tried to jack it up just began to crumble

[@TWAMotorsports]

Well that sucks

[@enj408ca]

Will it do any damage if I jack up one side of the car, set it on a jackstand, then with that one side up, repeat that process on the opposite side? The front of my car is too low to get a jack under to set 2 jack stands at the same time.

[@TWAMotorsports]

EJ Nebre as long as the jack is place how I show no damage will occur.

[@murryficklestien3843]

I'm not sure that is correct. I jacked my WS6 up on one side and put a stand on the sub frame now the driver door takes a wee bit more effort to close. Remeber these cars are mostly aluminum and fiberglass. I found that my hood, both front fenders and doors were all fiber. Ran a vin check, no wrecks 1 owner car. I didn't know they were all fiber, but sure explains the light weight

[@bbaz6729]

Thanks for the info. As an asside, the term "paint correction " is as annoying as the term "baby bump". You can wax paint, polish paint, clay bar paint and touch up paint but the only cure for "incorrect " paint is to re-paint.

[@Epro95]

Best to put the jackstands closer to the front no where near the holes. I bent the shit out of my subframe putting jacks near the holes. It seems fine to use your jack there though.

[@TWAMotorsports]

Yes that would be best

[@lildonut7304]

Ok question, why in the hell when I put my jack stands on the subframe it pushes the metal up a bit

[@TWAMotorsports]

slimshady. Its soft there. I generally use a piece of rubber or towel between the stand and body.

[@lildonut7304]

TWA Motorsports Ok thanks, that happening a few times shouldn't have any structural impact on it right cause it's just a dent like spot

[@TWAMotorsports]

slimshady. No issues whatsoever just cosmetic.

[@HypocriticYT]

The adjuster that you are turning automatically adjusts when moving in reverse and then brake

[@TWAMotorsports]

👍

[@jasondoyle355]

What kind of jack do you have? Mine will not reach the pumpkin from the rear of the car?

[@TWAMotorsports]

The one in this video was a small aluminum racing Jack from ac delco. The new one is an extended reach low profile from harbor freight

[@jasondoyle355]

TWA Motorsports I will be making a trip to the harbor today!!!! Thank you

[@TWAMotorsports]

@@jasondoyle355 this is the one I have now just not the color. Extended reach low profile. www.harborfreight.com/automotive/jacks-jack-stands/floor-jacks/3-ton-long-reach-low-profile-professional-floor-jack-with-rapid-pump-green-64785.html

[@TheFunKing33]

1994 Firebird. Original owner. The car manuel shows the original jack point on those bolts and fender. I agree that is the wrong place.

[@TWAMotorsports]

Yeah. Terrible idea

[@HyperXprojects]

Do you still have your TA?

[@TWAMotorsports]

HyperXprojects I do. Getting some updates I will be posting videos of soon.

[@RonSavage01]

If I straighten that part back out, will it fix the fender gap?

[@TWAMotorsports]

A lot of times it does

[@RonSavage01]

@@TWAMotorsports how would you do it? Vice grips and pull? Hit it with a rubber mallet?

[@TWAMotorsports]

@@RonSavage01 warm it up. Watch my dse install video

[@g00dl00kinb0i]

@Ryan Jack it up and use a long adjustable wrench. You bend it back in place just like a bent flange on a pipe or steel plate or decking.

[@TWAMotorsports]

Or use a block of wood and a mallet

[@freddyj5845]

Is there a way to fix underbody damage? Mine has it as well.

[@TWAMotorsports]

Sometimes you can heat it and bend it back

[@freddyj5845]

TWA Motorsports thank you!

[@TWAMotorsports]

You're welcome

[@TheRealJLucas]

I know I am late to the party very late, you can straighten them by working it with vice grips to get the tab pointed down again then use a block of wood and a mini sledge to bend it flat and you will see how the fender will go back into place again I had to do this on both sides not perfect of course but the lines in my doors look so much better now and no gaps in ground fx

[@TWAMotorsports]

You can but possibly snap the bottom of the fender

[@Sporttster]

You're jacking on the differential?!? Is that safe? I wouldn't think you'd want to use that to jack the car.

[@TWAMotorsports]

It's how I do it

[@boobiebennett5952]

What about the front end of the car

[@TWAMotorsports]

I show that in the video

[@joecar7]

Should place jack under differential case in front of bolt-on cover to avoid bending the lip of the cover.

[@TWAMotorsports]

joecar my jack actually straddles that so now issue but I agree in being careful not to bend cover.

[@rileywolf8344]

Well tgia defeats my purpose. Was gonna changr my rear differential fluid and gasket but thats where you jacked up the car.

[@shadhord9502]

Jack it up and put jack stands on either side of the rear end and then you can remove the jack. Drop the diff cover and make sure you get the right gear oil and limited slip additive.

[@TWAMotorsports]

Great advice 👍

[@shadhord9502]

@@TWAMotorsports I just replaced my gasket and fluid on my 89 TTA, so I know. lol

[@jd0316]

@@shadhord9502 Just did my 99Z with a Torsen and the the additive isn't needed. I used Royal Purple that already has the additive, though. Scraping all of the gasket off was a pain. I replaced it with a Lubelocker gasket.

[@shadhord9502]

I changed the diff oil in my 89 TTA a few months and didn't even think about Royal Purple! lol

[@DaveSimkus]

Can someone point out exactly where the jacks would go on the rear end? He says rear end but doesn't point it out exactly.

[@TWAMotorsports]

Right behind the brakes on the rear end. 1 on each side

[@DaveSimkus]

@@TWAMotorsports Ah thank you very much good sir.

[@TWAMotorsports]

You're welcome