Because several people have been injured in the process of jacking the car up when the lift arm *snaps* and the car falls immediately. This is not a typical hydraulic failure, and only applies to craftsman aluminum racing jacks pre 2010. Yes, they should be scrapped.
Ian
Very sobering to read. For the last few years, I have had to work out in the garage alone.
Car is always supported by two 3t and/or two 3.5t craftsman/craftsman pro jack stands. I use chocks when front or rears are off the ground. I use the 3t hydraulic floor jack as a secondary safety. I don't always put the wheels back under the car, but may start.
I also haven't changed the oil in my jack. May be my next project.
Will be considering additional safeties.
Hankook Ventus V4's 205/55/16 | 16" BMW OE Style 45's | ECSTuning 15mm Spacers | Thule 45050 Crossroad Rack | Thule 870XT Fairing | LLumar 35%/20% Tint
Custom Vienna Austria Euro Plate | GoMiniGo "No-Holes" License Plate Bracket | Smoked License Plate Cover | Black License Plate Frame | Khoalty LED License Plate Lights
This is relevant from the perspective that we all take a moment to:
1. Think about his family and send good vibes their way (however you do this)
2. Closely evaluate, assess, and address, how we do maintenance on our cars.
3. Take a moment to think the maintenance evolution through, prior to climbing under your car. He had it jacked up, and had the tire under the rotor, but the tire width was ~3.5" narrower than the breadth of his chest (i.e. the tires would do nothing until his chest was compressed 3.5 inches).
Last edited by danewilson77; 03-30-2011 at 08:23 AM.
Call Me Dane l 2/2004 330i ZHP l 18x8 ET45 BBS CK's wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport AS3+ @ 245-40-18 l KW V1 Coilovers in front l KW V1 springs w/ Bilstein B8 dampeners in rear l BMW Performance Rotors l UUC StrutBarbarian l Racing Dynamics Rear Strut Bar l Jim Conforti Shark Injector l Light Birch Interior Trim l Bimmian Celly Mount l M3 Trunk Mat l l e90 Performance E-Brake & Shift Knob l M3 Tri-Stitched Boots l AL Headlight Retrofit with ZKW Lenses l CobyWheel Wrap w/M3 Stitching l LCM sw 4.5 triple blink and rear fogs l Maple Interior Trim
Thanks to his father for the original post...to the OP for posting this for the familia...
I didn't say it before... but thoughts go out to the family...
Thanks for the perspectives DW...
Hankook Ventus V4's 205/55/16 | 16" BMW OE Style 45's | ECSTuning 15mm Spacers | Thule 45050 Crossroad Rack | Thule 870XT Fairing | LLumar 35%/20% Tint
Custom Vienna Austria Euro Plate | GoMiniGo "No-Holes" License Plate Bracket | Smoked License Plate Cover | Black License Plate Frame | Khoalty LED License Plate Lights
Just wanted to add to everyone that as a father this saddened me greatly and it was another fathers wish to spread the link.Please forward it to all you may know that could benefit from it.Also I left the email contact at the end of link in case anyone wanted to personally contact Christians father directly. This is such a great board with such good karma thanks for allowing me to be a part of it . Johnny
RIP Christian and Best Wishes to those he left behind.
Getting the car up the is the most nerve racking part of any of my DIYs. And I Hate getting under the car, I'm nervous the whole time. But now I don't feel so dorky for my over-the-top jack stand usage. This setup was used for my recent brake job, I take even more precautions when I'm under the car.
Please visit my build page here, on CarDomain.
Ryan, I'd rather be safe than sorry. I like your strategy.
Ryan thats a lot of stands, I like your saftey strategy! Just an FYI, don't trust those bottle jacks too too much...they can be dangerous if used the slightest bit wrong.
My garage: 08' Alpine White 135i Coupe putting out 405 wHP to BOTH rear wheels. 05' LeMans Blue X5 4.8is that I like to call Truckmeat. Socketheads 05' Dinan tuned ZHP, and a few Hondas to keep it real.
Hankook Ventus V4's 205/55/16 | 16" BMW OE Style 45's | ECSTuning 15mm Spacers | Thule 45050 Crossroad Rack | Thule 870XT Fairing | LLumar 35%/20% Tint
Custom Vienna Austria Euro Plate | GoMiniGo "No-Holes" License Plate Bracket | Smoked License Plate Cover | Black License Plate Frame | Khoalty LED License Plate Lights