We have threads on safe jack points, safe stands and jacks, backups, and this story. I can consolidate into one thread and sticky with an appropriate title. Thanks for input.
HTC DNA ON TT4 BETA, WILLIAMSBURG, VA
We have threads on safe jack points, safe stands and jacks, backups, and this story. I can consolidate into one thread and sticky with an appropriate title. Thanks for input.
HTC DNA ON TT4 BETA, WILLIAMSBURG, VA
Wow, that was a sobering read. Thanks for sharing.
Bump...
Wow, this was very sobering. This speaks really deeply to me. I actually had a whole thread on E46fanatics about how scared I am about the car falling from me. I went from computers to cars as a hobby in a third of a year. That's a hobby with very little risk to a hobby with life threatening risk. My jack has slipped three times on me. I always use jack stands if I go underneath or do any work for that matter. I've NEVER trusted my jack (gifted to me upon purchase of E46), but assumed this fear and stress was just part of DIY's. I always thought this normal until I did maintenance with a buddy 40 miles away who had a proper jack. Makes me enjoy doing DIY's. One of these days I'll get a nice jack, but until then, I'm doing all my under the car/suspension work with my buddy and his trusty jack.
Insanely sad stuff. Sobering when I consider all the times I've been under my car.
I use wheel chocks, jackstands, and a jack but you still just never know. Thankfully, my jack stands are always on their lowest setting. This way I don't have to rely on the safety pin holding the raising mechanism up. When I change my oil, I usually use ramps and wheel chocks. This way if anything happens, the car will roll backwards away from me. Also, the car is much more solid. I would recommend this to everyone!
Every time I work underneath my car I ALWAYS think of this thread.
My 330ci, doing some rear suspension work. Note:
- Wheel chocks in front of front tires (barely seen)
- Floor jack not holding any weight (lift, don't hold)
- Jack stand(s). There is another out of frame
- Removed wheel placed under car to lend support if both jack stands give away.
http://i485.photobucket.com/albums/r...pstjjdz7ru.jpg
Cars are a great hobby, but they can kill you in so many ways. No time to be cavelier when you and your friends are even close to being under it.
Good thread. You can never know too much about safety.
If you can keep the wheels on, I prefer jacking the car up and then lowering it onto ramps. Anybody else use those?