Never never never trust your jack stands, alternate title - Gint's fun filled day in the emergency room Options

[URY914]

I built those wooden blocks from 2 x 4's and with 2 x12's . You could use 4 x 4's also. I used pressure treated lumber because I had left over from a project.

They are pretty low tech. I bet anyone here could build them. OK, maybe not everyone..

[r_towle]

Real curious about these failures. Was this a case of the car wiggling and the stand slipping / falling over? Or is this a case of metal failure. Please show us when you are able.

I remember one incident where something was lifting on the release for the stand ratchet release. It didn't slip because I saw what was happening before it released. I think I will pin all my stands.

I think that's exactly what happened. No more un-pinned jackstands for me.

Standard jackstands. Not broken, bent spindled or mutilated in any way. The jackstand was securely positioned under the rear control arms (one of my favorite and most sturdy points for jackstands IMHO). No jiggling or wiggling, I'm very catious abuot that. I can only think of one possible conclusion for this stand releasing. If you pull the handle upward, even with weight on the jackstand, it can release. It's possible that I pushed it upwards with my arm while loosening the engine mount bar bolt.

This is the "after" shot. Still positioned under the control arm.

Where you possibly turning the wheel during these repairs?
It looks to me like the wheel may have been very close to the handle of the jack stand and could have rubbed it enough during the axle removal pahse that it was on the hairy edge of letting go.

Rich

[Gint]

I got ones that resemble something manufactured from an alien city....

60 bucks!

Theyre aluminum

What a blue ball...

Pics, links, details. Come on Britt!

[Gint]

Where you possibly turning the wheel during these repairs?
It looks to me like the wheel may have been very close to the handle of the jack stand and could have rubbed it enough during the axle removal pahse that it was on the hairy edge of letting go.

Rich

Nope, no wheel turning.

After the post mortem, I do believe that the jackstands have poor tooth engagement. Couple that with the fact that I've convinced myself that my arm pushed the handle upward while I was wrenching the motor mount bar nut/bolt off and you have a recipe for disaster. Pinned jackstands would have eliminated this.

[Mrs. K]

GINT!!!!!

I'm sorry to hear about your accident!

But I would like to see your x-rays .........can ya post those?

*I am a trained professional you know*

Hi Lisa!

Like to, but they're huge. Cat scans... If you're going to the AR I'll bring them.

Saw the Otlolarygologist again yesaterday and we reviewed all of the film. Nasal fracture, 4 little fractures in my right cheek, a maxillary fracture about the top of and middle of my moustache on the right side, and two busted upper front teeth. The maxillary and the tooth nerves are what's really casuing the most pain at this point, but by last Friday I had quit the vicodin and/or darvocet and by this last Monday I quit taking everything including ibuprofin.

Eating and talking can be tedious. I get tired of trying to chew stuff very carefully so I don't eat very much at any one time. The good new is that I've lost a good solid 6 pounds so far.

Hi Mike!
I am not going to be able to make it to the AR, but the nerve thing sounds the worst....hope you can get that taken care of soon!

You can always scan your CT and just pic a few good cuts to send me you know

Take care and don't be afraid to at least take the Ibuprofin to help with the inflammation dude!
You don't have to be so *tough*......your face has already proved you are! (Sharon was right when she said you are "hard headed" )

Lisa

[ClayPerrine]

(Sharon was right when she said you are "hard headed" )

I propose a new nickname.. Mike "Mr Jackstand" Ginter.

[PinetreePorsche]

The tooth nerve thing is an everyday event. I had my most recent root canal this afternoon--must have had them done in half my teeth (if you count the ones that had to be pulled a number of years on). At 62, I'm lucky to have the front 6 or 8 there, both upper and lower, so I don't look like a Hatfield or McCoy elder. 3 or 4 gaps further back. Yours will be fine after the dentist gets your $.
Sorry to hear of your trauma. Yeah, lots of us will learn from your mistake. Treasure your mate--a good sport like that is hard to find. Esp. one with her own posting handle on this site! Consider yourself blessed enough that the lumps can be shrugged off.

[ematulac]

Haven't been on much lately, and I just read through this whole thread. Glad you are alive and well, Gint!

I've had some close calls before, so I'm going to go get myself some good jack stands before I go under the 914 again. I've shared this thread with all my 'toolhead' friends, so we can all avoid this kind of misfortune.

Glad you are alright!

[Gint]

Sorry to hear of your trauma. Yeah, lots of us will learn from your mistake.

Thanks. Thanks to everyone who took the time to post well wishes in this thread. Great bunch a nuts...

Treasure your mate--a good sport like that is hard to find. Esp. one with her own posting handle on this site! Consider yourself blessed enough that the lumps can be shrugged off.

I do indeed! My wife is the best thing that ever happened to me.

[Gint]

Still not quite ready to use jackstands again...

Picked these up today for tomorrow's oil change and valve adjustment. Well worth $33 bucks.

Here's a link to the 8,000 pound Blitz ramps on Amazon, although they're quite a bit more than my FLAPS for some odd reason.

Blitz 8k pound Rhino Ramps

Blitz's site link

[McMark]

Ramps are VERY nice and actually much easier to work with for a running driving car. I've even jacked a non-op car up and put it on the ramps.

[Gint]

I had this thought this afternoon after getting the car all set up on the ramps for the morning valve adjustment.

If I were to put the car on these ramps on my lift, I may even be able to do a valve adjustment that way since the car would be higher off of the ramps. The rails of my list are too close together and aren't adjustable making a valve adjustment something a contortionist can't even do.

[JPB]

Sorry about the injuries and glad your still with the living. Get well soon

[Jon Fernandes]

bought 2 sets of 3 ton jackstands yesterday....

didnt buy it from here, but here is what they look like...

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/sto...5225?xsell=true

[sean_v8_914]

glad your alive ...
now show us your modified mug shot
show me that racoon baby

[Gint]

glad your alive ...
now show us your modified mug shot
show me that racoon baby

HA!

Thanks Sean, but I don't look any different. Even have two temp crowns on my front teeth now.

Come to the AR next weekend!

Those ramps rule!

[seanery]

I've been using the ramps for years! I gotta say, much easier and I feel a lot safer than under stands....just remember to chock the front wheels.

[Gint]

I've been using the ramps for years! I gotta say, much easier and I feel a lot safer than under stands....just remember to choch the front wheels.

The last time I tried out ramps the angle was too steep for your average euro sports car. The valances would hit long before you could get the tire on the ramp. These days they are longer with a much better approach angle.

I'm sold...

Happy B-Day Sean!

[pete-stevers]

gud to hear you are doing better mike....
say hi to sharon from sher and me
all the best

[SharonG]

gud to hear you are doing better mike....
say hi to sharon from sher and me
all the best

Hey Steve! Tell Sher HI! back from me! (Mike told me you'd posted! )