Corvette Body Lift Hooks Too Narrow

[Roger D.]

Has anyone ever widened the opening of the body lifting hooks sold in the online Corvette stores? And if so, how did you do it?

Others must have determined like me that the opening of the hooks sold in the Corvette body lift strap sets are not wide enough and thus do not provide the proper "fit" to lift the body. I was all ready to lift the body on my '72 Coupe this past Sunday but this derailed me. My brother and I tried to open up the gap on one a little to no avail. We were afraid to apply heat to the hook as the lifting strap is nylon and thus might be affected by the heat. Any direction on "proven" methods to do this would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Roger

[Bill W.]

Re: Corvette Body Lift Hooks Too Narrow

Buy a set of used camper jacks . that is what I use on C2 & C3s They work great I have used straps & do not like or trust them . I have also used an H beam with chains that go to the cowl and door striker . I bought it in the late 80s from a guy in Oregon . Both can be one man operation .

[Paul J.]

Re: Corvette Body Lift Hooks Too Narrow

Roger, drive an axe head striaght into the hook or a maul from each side to open up. You could also use a crowbar, or anything else that is wider. I have a press that I can press these things in. Obviously, once it's in there you've got to beat it out. But if you open the hook wide enough you will overcome the memory and it will widen.

Paul

[Roger D.]

Re: Corvette Body Lift Hooks Too Narrow

Buy a set of used camper jacks . that is what I use on C2 & C3s They work great I have used straps & do not like or trust them . I have also used an H beam with chains that go to the cowl and door striker . I bought it in the late 80s from a guy in Oregon . Both can be one man operation .

Thanks for the thought Bill. To lift the body, I am using a 4-post lift. We cut the 4 straps off of a online Corvette store purchased Body lifting hook set and are using the loose straps with strap ratchets hung from 2 points of the rail on each side of the lift. Hopefully I can widen the hooks so I can use the 4-post lift.

Roger

[Roger D.]

Re: Corvette Body Lift Hooks Too Narrow

Roger, drive an axe head striaght into the hook or a maul from each side to open up. You could also use a crowbar, or anything else that is wider. I have a press that I can press these things in. Obviously, once it's in there you've got to beat it out. But if you open the hook wide enough you will overcome the memory and it will widen.

Paul

Paul. I went down to a local steel supply shop a couple of days ago and they gave me a piece of 1" cold rolled steel stock to try exactly what you did with a press (Haven't tried it yet). The other day, we bolted one of the hooks to a 2 x 6 board and tried widening it with a fairly hefty pry bar. It didn't give much and when you let up on the pry bar, it just returns back to its original shape.

I'm surprised that more folks haven't run into this issue. Come on guys, I know you're out there

Regards,
Roger

[Roger D.]

Re: Corvette Body Lift Hooks Too Narrow

Folks,

I thought I'd post a few pics of the solution. I posted 4 pics:

1. Hook too narrow - won't fit.
2. Tool made from 1" OD CR steel bar. Tool is shown chucked into a 20 ton press and forced into the hook - Courtesy my brother Phil (also NCRS member here).
3. Hook now fits.
4. Comparison of the hooks. Left: Before as purchased, Right: After widening.

I know I couldn't be the only one who has run into this problem. Hopefully this will help someone else.

Hook_No_Fit.jpgPress_Cmplt.jpgHook_Fit.jpgHook_Compare_reduced.jpg

[Steve M.]

Re: Corvette Body Lift Hooks Too Narrow

Can you tell me what company you purchased the straps from ? I did what you suggested and all the hooks cracked but still looks ok. The hooks were golden color and apparently hardened. Thought about welding over the cracks but not worth the risk if there a set that is more easily bent. Any thoughts appreciated. Steve

[Phil D.]

Re: Corvette Body Lift Hooks Too Narrow

We got them from a fellow NCRS member who'd bought them years before and never used them. I don't know the original manufacturer.

[Steve M.]

Re: Corvette Body Lift Hooks Too Narrow

Thanks for getting back to me.Steve