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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ ALWAYS use Jack stands
Posted by: Amphicar770 Jun 23 2019, 02:29 PM
Just a reminder to ALWAYS use Jack stands when working under your vehicles. Do NOT rely on your hydraulic Jack or tire Jack. One of my neighbors died under his mustang s few years back. Here is another local fatality. 
Posted by: Superhawk996 Jun 23 2019, 04:07 PM
But let me go a step further
Have a back up to the jack stands.
Leave a jack in place - just in case. Or, leave a tire underneath. Something else to buy an extra factor of safety. Sometimes I’ll double up jack stands
Posted by: mepstein Jun 23 2019, 04:11 PM
But let me go a step further
Have a back up to the jack stands.
Leave a jack in place - just in case. Or, leave a tire underneath. Something else to buy an extra factor of safety. Sometimes I’ll double up jack stands
I’m a scaredy-cat. I always shove something extra under the car. A couple spare tires or similar.
Posted by: 914 Ranch Jun 23 2019, 04:18 PM
Super Beetle tried to kill me, now I chalk any tires still on the ground.
Posted by: Superhawk996 Jun 23 2019, 04:21 PM
Should also add - no cinder blocks - EVER!
In case I wasn’t clear - cinder blocks are not a substitute for jack stands
Keep yourself safe
Posted by: SteveL Jun 23 2019, 05:02 PM
I don't trust the "tippyness"of jack stands.
I always block up with solid wood. I have foot long chunks of RR tie for that purpose.
Posted by: Ed_Turbo Jun 23 2019, 05:31 PM
Very unfortunate news. This is why I don’t have a drink until after the major work is done.
-Ed
Posted by: shane Jun 23 2019, 07:48 PM
Just today I went to slide under my teener that’s on blocks and thought I don’t need to spend the 5 seconds it takes to roll my floor jack 1’ and pump it up under my engine bar. But as always thought better of it and did, that’s no way to die for sure, poor guy and his family.
Posted by: barefoot Jun 23 2019, 07:56 PM
Should also add - no cinder blocks - EVER!
In case I wasn’t clear - cinder blocks are not a substitute for jack stands
Keep yourself safe
I use cinder blocks routinely but use a 2x10 or 2 on top never had a problem
Posted by: cali914 Jun 23 2019, 08:30 PM
I don't trust the "tippyness"of jack stands.
I always block up with solid wood. I have foot long chunks of RR tie for that purpose.
Agree use both if you can.
Posted by: cuddy_k Jun 23 2019, 08:47 PM
pin-type stands too. avoid ratcheting ones...
Posted by: Cairo94507 Jun 24 2019, 07:05 AM
You can never be too careful when you are about to crawl under a car. Even though the 914 is only 2,000 pounds....I can't lift it if it falls on me. I have a scissor lift and even when using it I always rest it on the steel locks and never leave it on the hydraulics. 
Posted by: jdamiano Jun 24 2019, 07:42 AM
There is a YouTube video that tests a story of a guy releasing ratchet stands accidentally while under a 914. He proves it’s possible. I ordered new ones with safety pins after watching it.
Posted by: 76-914 Jun 24 2019, 07:51 AM
Or get a lift. It's a cheap insurance policy.
Posted by: iwanta914-6 Jun 24 2019, 08:14 AM
I hate getting under cars, even to just do an oil change. My jack stands are ratchet type and I've been meaning to get some pin-type stands. I do keep the jack up and place wheels under if I'm doing brake work since the wheels are off anyway. In general though I try to avoid going under a car on stands, just freaks me out even though I do it once in a while.
Posted by: ericoneal Jun 24 2019, 08:33 AM
I've been jacking the car up, sliding ramps under the rear wheels, then also using jackstands and the jack. Still makes me uncomfortable...
Posted by: bbrock Jun 24 2019, 09:02 AM
I hate getting under cars, even to just do an oil change. My jack stands are ratchet type and I've been meaning to get some pin-type stands. I do keep the jack up and place wheels under if I'm doing brake work since the wheels are off anyway. In general though I try to avoid going under a car on stands, just freaks me out even though I do it once in a while.
After someone here on the forum recommended them, I got a set of these double locking jack stands. I really like them. Best of both worlds and very solid.
https://us.amazon.com/Torin-Big-Steel-Jack-Stands/dp/B00026Z3DQ/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_86_t_1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=1GDV5RXR6G5M5D7X6SPH
Posted by: thelogo Jun 24 2019, 09:29 AM
Guilty as charged on this one
Ranger can do a oil change with out jacking up the truck
But 07 focus needs to be lifted on 1 side for oil change
I use a 3 ton jack for a half ton job as a kind of safety measure and my jack stands are harbor freight 
But i do still use them as a saftey catch
Going to switch to low profile ramps in the future
I helped my buddy do an oil change on his huge buick
La cross and it needed to be jacked up to access the bottom . just used the 3 ton jack ( and i was a bit nervous) but i guess a 1/2 ton focus will kill you just as quick as a 3 ton buick ......
Ive jacked up and jack standed the 914 only once to
Do the door close test . it passed
And 914 gets worked on at air cooled specialist
(never me)
Posted by: buck toenges Jun 24 2019, 11:39 AM
Super Beetle tried to kill me, now I chalk any tires still on the ground.
What do you mean about chalk tires? Sorry if I am a newb.
Buck
Posted by: burton73 Jun 24 2019, 11:49 AM
Super Beetle tried to kill me, now I chalk any tires still on the ground.
What do you mean about chalk tires? Sorry if I am a newb.
Buck
Sure Grip Wheel and Tire Chocks Protect Against Runaway Vehicle Accidents for Trucks, Construction Equipment, Buses, Aircraft and other Heavily Loaded Vehicles.
makes it so the tires will not roll
Bob B
Posted by: drem914 Nov 29 2019, 06:31 PM
You can never be too careful when you are about to crawl under a car. Even though the 914 is only 2,000 pounds....I can't lift it if it falls on me. I have a scissor lift and even when using it I always rest it on the steel locks and never leave it on the hydraulics.
Would this be the same for a QuickJack since it already has positive locks at two different mounting heights off of the hydraulics? Or should you add jack stands as a secondary back up?
Posted by: Beach914 Nov 29 2019, 06:39 PM
But let me go a step further
Have a back up to the jack stands.
Leave a jack in place - just in case. Or, leave a tire underneath. Something else to buy an extra factor of safety. Sometimes I’ll double up jack stands
I’m a scaredy-cat. I always shove something extra under the car. A couple spare tires or similar.Me too. Big time wuss. Not a way that I want to go.
Posted by: mepstein Nov 29 2019, 06:44 PM
You can never be too careful when you are about to crawl under a car. Even though the 914 is only 2,000 pounds....I can't lift it if it falls on me. I have a scissor lift and even when using it I always rest it on the steel locks and never leave it on the hydraulics.
Would this be the same for a QuickJack since it already has positive locks at two different mounting heights off of the hydraulics? Or should you add jack stands as a secondary back up?
It never hurts to be extra cautious.
I always have something extra under the car when I’m under.
If you use a lift, you always want to lift a couple inches and bounce both ends to make sure it’s not going to slide off.
Also be aware of weight shift when you drop an engine.
Posted by: ClayPerrine Nov 29 2019, 07:05 PM
Or get a lift. It's a cheap insurance policy.
Even with a lift set on the safety locks I put a pole jack under the transmission. It may not save the car, but hopefully I will get extra time to get clear if the lift fails.
Somebody needs to let Gint know about this thread. He has intimate knowledge and experience with this subject.
Posted by: brcacti Nov 29 2019, 07:29 PM
I put mine up on the newer plastic type ramps, is this considered very safe?
Posted by: Coondog Nov 29 2019, 07:48 PM
I have a Quickjack but also stick these under the tires. There used to level RVs
Posted by: Larmo63 Nov 29 2019, 08:24 PM
Wheel chocks and Esco jack stands.
I trust my life with these things, they better be great quality.
Posted by: michael7810 Nov 29 2019, 08:32 PM
I always use jack stands except the other day I forgot and climbed under a car at work and it suddenly dropped about 2” while I was under it. The floor jack must be starting to fail. Took about 15 minutes for my heart rate to settle down before I could get back under it with jack stands installed. I was lucky.
Posted by: Coondog Nov 29 2019, 08:52 PM
Check out race ramps.
raceramps.com
Posted by: bkrantz Nov 29 2019, 09:04 PM
And not just 1 jack stand, or any type.
Besides good jack stands, I always put the removed tire/wheel(s) under the car as a back up.
Posted by: drem914 Nov 29 2019, 10:00 PM
You can never be too careful when you are about to crawl under a car. Even though the 914 is only 2,000 pounds....I can't lift it if it falls on me. I have a scissor lift and even when using it I always rest it on the steel locks and never leave it on the hydraulics.
Would this be the same for a QuickJack since it already has positive locks at two different mounting heights off of the hydraulics? Or should you add jack stands as a secondary back up?
It never hurts to be extra cautious.
I always have something extra under the car when I’m under.
If you use a lift, you always want to lift a couple inches and bounce both ends to make sure it’s not going to slide off.
Also be aware of weight shift when you drop an engine.
Nothing like that. Just for general maintenance and cleaning.
Posted by: RickS Nov 29 2019, 11:06 PM
For oil changes and clutch cable adjustments and other small stuff I use ramps. Have pin jackstands when the wheels come off and always chock the tires. Got some great chocks at Harbor Freight. Also when the wheel/s are off, they go under the car for extra insurance. Life as you know it can change in a blink of an eye, don’t force the blink.
Posted by: bdstone914 Nov 29 2019, 11:09 PM
Should also add - no cinder blocks - EVER!
In case I wasn’t clear - cinder blocks are not a substitute for jack stands
Keep yourself safe
Or milk crates
Posted by: cuddy_k Nov 29 2019, 11:18 PM
Would this be the same for a QuickJack since it already has positive locks at two different mounting heights off of the hydraulics? Or should you add jack stands as a secondary back up?
I have a QuickJack and qlways use stands as a backup. Worth it for the peace of mind and extra margin of safety.
Posted by: RickS Nov 30 2019, 12:41 AM
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2DqnL3A1g
Not a bad idea
Posted by: barefoot Nov 30 2019, 08:01 AM
Should also add - no cinder blocks - EVER!
In case I wasn’t clear - cinder blocks are not a substitute for jack stands
Keep yourself safe
Disagree, I use them regularly but always have 2x12 on top so tires rest on solid wood.
When placed under tires, always have car in gear, emergency brake on and chicks.
I'm still alive !
Barefoot
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