Another jack failure…

[Cheeky81]

…with happy end but still scared the bejesus out of me.

Few weeks ago I broke the plastic that goes inside front left wheel arch and had to buy new one. This weekend I decided to change it. I lifted the car with the jack that was supplied with the car to get the wheel off for more access. Because of all the stories here on GJ about jacks failing I decided to use also a jack stand. I finished the work without major fuss, put the wheel back, removed the jack stand and started to lower the car… and then… bbbzzzzzzzZZZZ and the car suddenly dropped down.

Good thing that I already finished the work and had the wheel back on. The jack I was using was a typical scissor jack and after close inspection it looks like the nut (which looks like to be made out of plastic) simply slipped on the screw and that's why the the jack let go. I am definitely not putting any more weight on that jack, because it’s not safe anymore.

Since I'm not so thrilled about buying exactly the same jack, what would you guys use as a replacement? Keep in mind that it has to fit in the spare tire compartment.

 

[Graymills - Craig]

Man, that's why I use 27 jack stands! I've seen enough stuff fall, from cars on jacks to boats on cranes, to ever be comfortable underneath something that is hoisted.

Good news you were safe.

 

[Cryptic1911]

Yep, screw that ****.. I use jack stands, and I also roll a wheel under the rocker panel too

 

[Terry454]

Gravity *****!

TErry

 

[EOC_Jason]

You should be able to find a bottle jack that should fit in the same space (approx)...

 

[Hundojoe]

Glad to hear you didn't get hurt, but if I could make a suggestion you should destroy that jack before you throw it away so the possibility of someone finding it and using it on the car or what ever is gone.

 

[Bob C]

How about a small trolley jack?

 

[Graymills - Craig]

Since I'm not so thrilled about buying exactly the same jack, what would you guys use as a replacement? Keep in mind that it has to fit in the spare tire compartment.

Not sure how big your spare tire compartment is, but I'd recommend:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikorsky_S-64_Skycrane

Works for me every time.

 

[crewchief888]

i found a couple of decent OEM scissor jacks in a pick-n-pull yard.

i'm thinking one of them was from an s10 blazer, and the other possibly from an astro van, those were the 2 vehicles i was pulling a lot of parts from.

 

[fstbusa]

Had one of those scissor jacks just crush under the weight of the car after being up on it for 5 min. It just slowly started to fold and crumble so I hurried and put the wheel back on.

 

[Bob C]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0028JQYQA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[KinzeMech]

I'm paranoid. I use jack stands, but if I'm taking the wheels off, I go one step further. I put the wheels under the car/truck, somewhere the frame will come to rest on the wheel.
Two reasons. One, it gets them out from underfoot. Two, a vehicle falling with the wheels on, will probably cause you serious injury. One falling without any attached wheels to stop it, will go all the way down, and probably cause you serious death.

 

[cyamaha2007]

I also slide the tire removed under the car. I have a nice 10 ton bottle jack that i keep in the truck. Its my go to for road side repairs. I also keep a few 10x10 oak blocks. I use these as stands in a roadside repair.

 

[Cheeky81]

.... Two, a vehicle falling with the wheels on, will probably cause you serious injury. One falling without any attached wheels to stop it, will go all the way down, and probably cause you serious death.

Almost pissed myself laughing when I read this

On a more serious note - got a used hydraulic jack for 10$ and I'm planing to restore it (clean, paint, change seals etc.)

 

[darkk]

Call triple A, Come fix my tire...

 

[RECox286]

Don't get me wrong, I was spitting hot coffee on my keyboard too, but

Almost pissed myself laughing when I read this

I also got the gist of the post. But, honestly, having a car fall off a jack

with nothing to catch it, except possibly a weekend warrior, could be

considered cause to ruin your whole day, whether you ended up

"seriously dead" or not.

(Not trying to screw with you, or your comment, but I just had to add

my two scents... I guess I consider dead a faily serious condition too.)

Uncle Bob