PSA: Use All Available Safety Equipment

[uncwstudent]

Unfortunately, this young man lost his life from a possible faulty jack stand. Please guys (and gals), always be sure to use redundant backups and every available safety precaution.

https://www.law.com/ctlawtribune/20...sed-car-to-crush-man/?slreturn=20190304115922

 

[Jtels85]

Even with jack stands and/or Rhino ramps, I still place wood blocks underneath the frame to catch the car in the event it falls. Not taking any chances.

 

[jsmeece]

I have always used two jack stands per side, just in case one fails. Always use wheel chocks too.

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

Even with jack stands and/or Rhino ramps, I still place wood blocks underneath the frame to catch the car in the event it falls. Not taking any chances.

Me too

I have jack stands, the actual jack still resting in place and i also throw a cinderblock with bricks stacked up somewhere “just in case”

I feel pretty comfortable when i go under vehicles that way


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[stickshift]

Unfortunately, this young man lost his life from a possible faulty jack stand. Please guys (and gals), always be sure to use redundant backups and every available safety precaution.

https://www.law.com/ctlawtribune/20...sed-car-to-crush-man/?slreturn=20190304115922

Sounds like there is a dispute as to whether the deceased was using the stands or just the floor jack.

I've never heard of jack stands failing and resulting in death. Plenty of instances of jacks failing, crushing people.

 

[outdoorspace]

Wow, I have that same jack stand! Thanks for the heads up. I've always been hesitant with it because the casting does not look so great. I won't be using them any more...

 

[BuffettFan]

I've never trusted just stands or just the jack. I use both or if the jack has to be removed, put the tires or something else under the rocker area to keep the vehicle from going all the way to the floor.
I've never had a jack stand fail, but have had them slip.
Let's all stay safe out there kids!

 

[uncwstudent]

Same thing. I use jacks (usually two) plus two jackstands and wheel chocks. Then sometimes I put the front wheels under the frame just in case.

Does anyone have any thoughts on using steel ramps vs. Rhino Ramps? I've been using Rhino Ramps for a while but they make me a little nervous.

 

[Handyandy23]

Due to the design of jack stands, I'm not sure how they would even fail. You have the flats of the steel on both sides jammed against flat surfaces opposite them. The only way to retract a jack stand is pull up on it without the weight on it and release the handle.

That said redundancy is always good. Easiest thing I've found is just sliding a wheel under the rocker area behind the jack stand. If the car is jacked and I'm going under it 99% of the time you've removed a wheel, and rather than throwing it off to the side just use it as a fail safe.

 

[pi_guy]

Lost a couple of racing people under cars.
It not only using good jackstands, it needs to be level. The positioning of the stand needs to be on a secure stable location on the cars frame. Then I have seen jack stands sink in poor footing then making the setup unstable and loading other stands unequally.
I have also seen people using much force to remove something that the car was moving on stands.
Back many years ago I ran a car that had a brace in the mid point, so quick lift the rear and 2 ton floor under mid point. Raised the car put car stands under the front and rear of car and lowered car on to them car weighed 1200lbs. I fabricated the car stands never had one fail.

Of course I have had a 900# car slip off the quick lift and pin me for a few hours I was rushing. I got the car off me about midnight finished preparing it loaded it on the trailer and left for the track. Of course when your 25 you have a habit of taking risks.
Now I am in my 60's and in California ski racing at finals, so sometimes even if your older you still take risks.

 

[lightning struck]

Best friend in college died when doing a clutch. Stabbed the transmission in, and it was enough to rock over the jackstand and crush him. It's a sober reminder that our hobbies have the ability to kill us at a moments notice.

 

[M_George]

Me too

I have jack stands, the actual jack still resting in place and i also throw a cinderblock with bricks stacked up somewhere “just in case”

I feel pretty comfortable when i go under vehicles that way


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This!!

 

[fasteddie]

Is there a model number or a pic of the jackstand? I'd rather not register with the site to read the story.

 

[M_George]

Once I have the car up where I need it. I'll give it a firm push on the side to insure it is stable. If it rocks or wobbles, reset it.

 

[Professional Tool User]

There's too much liability on the manufacturer of the jack stands for them to be designed or made poorly. I bet it's more down to the user not checking on the condition of the jack stands or misusing them. When in doubt add some blocking. A jack is not reliable enough to be used as a back up.

 

[M_George]

Realistically, your trusting your life to a small rubber cup inside the jack that holds back the hydraulic pressure. A concrete block with a piece of board on top isn't going to fail.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

Realistically, your trusting your life to a small rubber cup inside the jack that holds back the hydraulic pressure. A concrete block with a piece of board on top isn't going to fail.

and in a car, you trust your life to this small rubber ring every day:

never hurts to have a backup plan. I usually put ramps under the tires as well. never had a ramp fail.

 

[fasteddie]

I wouldn't trust a concrete block, they break easy.

 

[M_George]

I wouldn't trust a concrete block, they break easy.

Place it with the openings facing up and a piece of 2X6 on top. Never had one break. Still fell safer with that than a jack or wobbly jack stand. Especially if you have it up more than a few inches.

 

[RedneckWelder]

I lift and block heavy equipment on stands frequently. It’s not an enjoyable task and it’s always nerve wracking working under lifted equipment

 

[M_George]

and in a car, you trust your life to this small rubber ring every day:

never hurts to have a backup plan. I usually put ramps under the tires as well. never had a ramp fail.

Been there done that. Quick reflexes and the emergency brake saved the day Which seen to many people that don't care much about the emergency brake.

 

[bushmechanic]

I've had a jack stand break before, and nearly take my hand off in the process.

We all need to stop buying cheap jack stands. That $200 ratchet is a pointless purchase if you're not willing to fork up a good amount for jack stands. It's idiotic.

Buy from someone who makes them properly in a nation that's respectable; a place that is willing to prove their stands can take the weight, and a place that welds them well.

Don't get them from Autozone, NAPA, Sam's, Tractor Supply, or anything of the like. Buy good ones, because their purpose is not only convenience; it's to save your life.

You should certainly place a tire or blocks down there if possible to catch the car if something breaks, but that's not always reasonable. You need to have quality jacks and stands before breaking the bank on all that cool chrome in the tool box.

It's just like photography. Don't buy an expensive camera until you have a very good tripod. The cheap ones may work, but they don't cut the mustard when it counts, and they're an irritation anyway.

 

[M_George]

I've had a jack stand break before, and nearly take my hand off in the process.

We all need to stop buying cheap jack stands. That $200 ratchet is a pointless purchase if you're not willing to fork up a good amount for jack stands. It's idiotic.

Buy from someone who makes them properly in a nation that's respectable; a place that is willing to prove their stands can take the weight, and a place that welds them well.

Don't get them from Autozone, NAPA, Sam's, Tractor Supply, or anything of the like. Buy good ones, because their purpose is not only convenience; it's to save your life.

You should certainly place a tire or blocks down there if possible to catch the car if something breaks, but that's not always reasonable. You need to have quality jacks and stands before breaking the bank on all that cool chrome in the tool box.

It's just like photography. Don't buy an expensive camera until you have a very good tripod. The cheap ones may work, but they don't cut the mustard when it counts, and they're an irritation anyway.

Well, with that said do you have a recommendation?

 

[M_George]

I found this article on jack stands I found interesting. I have the Torin double locking ones described.

https://www.garagetooladvisor.com/auto/best-jack-stands/

 

[bushmechanic]

Well, with that said do you have a recommendation?

Not specifically, as there are several good manufacturers out there. I've no reason to pick one over another, and the prices as well as design vary wildly.

A lot of preference will be involved in such a decision.

 

[Skin]

Is there a model number or a pic of the jackstand? I'd rather not register with the site to read the story.

I don't think it matters too much. Author interchanges jack stand and jack so they don't know what they're talking about and if its a cheap jack then no surprise. A jack stand would be a bit more odd as by design they rarely fail unless you do something like knock the vehicle off or side load the stand causing the frame to crumple. As much as I despise cheap safety equipment this is probably just a lawyer trying to earn a big pay day and taking a grieving family in tow.

and in a car, you trust your life to this small rubber ring every day:

Not really true since brake systems by design are split. If a line or caliper lets go suddenly you don't lose all braking, 2 wheels (1 front and the opposite rear) will maintain pressure.

 

[BajaScout]

I found this article on jack stands I found interesting. I have the Torin double locking ones described.

https://www.garagetooladvisor.com/auto/best-jack-stands/

Number one is aluminum. Interesting.

 

[Tallpilot]

Due to the design of jack stands, I'm not sure how they would even fail. You have the flats of the steel on both sides jammed against flat surfaces opposite them. The only way to retract a jack stand is pull up on it without the weight on it and release the handle.

That said redundancy is always good. Easiest thing I've found is just sliding a wheel under the rocker area behind the jack stand. If the car is jacked and I'm going under it 99% of the time you've removed a wheel, and rather than throwing it off to the side just use it as a fail safe.

Before I got my QuickJack that's what I always did.

 

[Spacey_G]

I don't think it matters too much. Author interchanges jack stand and jack so they don't know what they're talking about and if its a cheap jack then no surprise. A jack stand would be a bit more odd as by design they rarely fail unless you do something like knock the vehicle off or side load the stand causing the frame to crumple. As much as I despise cheap safety equipment this is probably just a lawyer trying to earn a big pay day and taking a grieving family in tow.

These questions are all answered in the article. The jack stand in question is a Sears model 50163. The author uses the terms "jack" and "jack stand" because there's a dispute over whether the victim was using just a jack or jack stands too. The plaintiffs claim that he was using stands that didn't engage properly and the defendant claims he was only using a jack.

 

[FigureItOut]

I have never felt comfortable under jack stands. Like others said, I use wheel chocks and keep the jack in place for backup, but I'm still very ill at ease under a vehicle. If at all possible, I'll get it done with the car on the ground. I've installed dozens of trailer hitches on smaller SUVs this way, and it *****.

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[thugline]

Just my luck, I have the same model of jack stands.

 

[Robbie B]

I had a friend that died several years ago from this ****. He had a habit of just using the jacks and crawling under the car. He’d done it who knows how many times. Week after Christmas 2017, he was doing some exhaust work on his car. Jacks gave out and he was crushed. Left behind a wife, 2 kids and a brand new baby granddaughter. It was hard to lose a friend like that but he knew the danger. He took the chance and paid with his life.


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[M_George]

My first choice is driving up on the ramps before crawling under the car. I have a home set made from 1/8 steel that I have been using for many years. The jack stands I mostly use as backup for brakes ball joints etc. Still, push on the side of the car to insure it is positioned solidly.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

I don't think it matters too much. Author interchanges jack stand and jack so they don't know what they're talking about and if its a cheap jack then no surprise. A jack stand would be a bit more odd as by design they rarely fail unless you do something like knock the vehicle off or side load the stand causing the frame to crumple. As much as I despise cheap safety equipment this is probably just a lawyer trying to earn a big pay day and taking a grieving family in tow.



Not really true since brake systems by design are split. If a line or caliper lets go suddenly you don't lose all braking, 2 wheels (1 front and the opposite rear) will maintain pressure.

I'm not sure how many of them are cross split like that.
in fact, many cars didn't bother with dual rear lines, even with ABS. the front got brake lines to each side, and the rear got a single line T'd off in the back to make the system simpler and cheaper. all of those had to be F/R split.

some cars (volvo?) had redundant front circuits, and a rear circuit as well. nowadays with ABS the car can proportion it as it wants. I've driven some older, poorly maintained vehicles that had line failures, and the braking force is reduced substantially below 50% when one circuit fails.

 

[Bills Tools]

I'm not sure how many of them are cross split like that.

in fact, many cars didn't bother with dual rear lines, even with ABS. the front got brake lines to each side, and the rear got a single line T'd off in the back to make the system simpler and cheaper. all of those had to be F/R split.



some cars (volvo?) had redundant front circuits, and a rear circuit as well. nowadays with ABS the car can proportion it as it wants. I've driven some older, poorly maintained vehicles that had line failures, and the braking force is reduced substantially below 50% when one circuit fails.

I just replaced all the brake lines on my Astro van and they are split front and back the back line was one line ran to the back off the abs and t’s into two break lines for the wheels behind the gas tank


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[KillNThrill24]

I always push against whatever I have on jack stands to see if theres any movement, then wait a few minutes and do it again. I really don't like even using jack stands, but you have to make damn sure they're level on the ground, and that they aren't going to tip over. Even when I had my lift (ali certified bendpak), I still bought stands to place under the longer trucks and suv's I worked on.

I've never heard of a jack stand failing, but I guess anything can happen. Sad to hear that stuff happen, regardless of why.

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[chipjumper]

I’ve pulled a few corpses out from under cars in my past. I have never forgotten the details of them as they were all preventable mishaps. Each one of them still scares the sh*t out of me when my memory flashes back what I saw.

Just because you use two, four, six, eight or more jack stands NEVER guarantees your safety. The dang vehicle can still move to the side and knock over all of the stands thus crushing you (I remember this particular scene well). A lot of physics is involved here that are best avoided (i.e. lateral torquing of a stick bolt).

When you have your ride jacked up and on stands (even QuickJacks or a real two-post lift), do the “rocking” test and see if it’s stable. ANY movement should be a serious warning sign. Do a lateral (side-to-side) push test too.

ALWAYS chock the tires if working on an uneven surface or if you’re making the car uneven (jacking up one end). I can tell you sad stories about that (and show you photos).

Source: I’m in my 20th year of being a Firefighter/Paramedic/Police Officer


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[Indexmill]

Regarding vehicle braking systems, ALL cars and trucks have had dual redundant braking systems for decades. The probability of loosing brakes entirely is so small as to be inconceivable.

 

[JulianMorrow]

These questions are all answered in the article. The jack stand in question is a Sears model 50163.

I think the Sears 50163 = Craftsman 4 ton jack stands (see first link below). Ye Gods, I own little bro--the Craftsman 2 1/4 Ton jackstands. Fortunately I picked them up cheap at $19.95 for the pair when my local Sears was closing down. I'm now thinking of trashing them. To be fair: they've worked fine over the last 6 months since I bought them.

My next jack stands will at the very least have a locking pin. I've been looking at the 3T Chicago Pneumatic pair (second link).

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M5G90F6/?tag=atomicindus08-20

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9HNPIJ/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[KSB]

Co-worker found this earlier this year as he was taking the vehicle off the jack stands.

As he raised the vehicle off the stands the top fell off.

I’m especially vigilant checking the stands before I use them now.




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