Just posting this as a reminder to keep safety in mind.


Story

 

that's why i never work under my car. my life is too valuable for that.

but if i were to work under it, i'd used homemade ramps made of stacked 2x10 wood

 

Very scary..

I keep 2 jack stands and the floor jack under the car.

A guy that was working on his car outside a shopping center doing his front brakes with NO jackstands and using only a factory jack was trying to pull the rotor off when the car fell on his legs. About 10 guys ran over to lift the car, not sure what the final injury to him but it didn't look to good.

Be safe guys.

 

Jack stands are supposed to be used in coordination WITH a jack. Not to mention on a flat, level surface; and the wheels that are on the ground chocked. A little extra safety never hurts anyone. Feel sorry for the kid. Hope he recovers from his injuries.

 

Jack stands are often run out as "price leaders" designed to attract store traffic, particularly by "discount" automotive and box stores. These are often flimsy stamped metal with a welded saddle. Often sold for $7.99, they are next to worthless, particularly if you are jerking or hauling on a recalcitrant rotor or exhaust downpipe. You are trusting your life to that bargain jackstand - buy a good one for a few bucks more.

Placement of stands is critical. The usually recommended placement is on your car's jacking points, but a second option is on a frame rail, or lacking that, a suspension mounting point. Obviously, on unit-body cars, placing the stand randomly under the floor pan can lead to punching through the pan, particularly on older cars. If you have to crawl completely under your car, a set of four foot-long 6"X 8" (or larger, depending on your car) sections of timber placed alongside each stand will serve as a good backup, just in case a stand or your jack fails.

Read and follow the directions in your car's service manual. Be careful and don't take chances, particularly when working alone. A friend who spends a lot of time under his car always carries his cell phone. Just in case.

 

Not only do I have jackstands and a floor jack supporting the car, I leave my wheels under there too.

 

Same here. I do this even when I have to only use a jack.

 

This is why i use 3.5ton capacity plate steel jack stands with a ratcheting cast iron saddle, and STILL leave the jack locked just below the lift point. The stands were $30 per pair (I have 4)--that's cheap insurance.

Which reminds me, I have to get a second jack at some point. But the good ones are so damn expensive...

 

Certainly a good reminder for all.

 

good tip...........

 

I'm always paranoid about my car falling. I don't do much under my vehicles these days but even when I change the oil I jack up my car and place at least 2 of my 4 jack stands under the car just in case. I just need to buy a lift

 

This is why I used ramps whenever I work under the car.

 

I used ramps, jack, wheels, and 6 jackstands. It is more difficult to move around but I am sure that I am safe.

 

I have 6 ton jackstands. I put the car on all four. Never a worry once I have it supported properly.

 

i use The Force to raise my car