Re: Jack Stands and Stupidity

[paul.heneghan@bbc.co.uk (Heneghan,Paul)]

From: "Dave C." <conner@cfm.ohio-state.edu>

>I hate to admit it, but I've developed a bad habit of working on the car
>with out jack stands because I don't see any place to put them when the jack
>is already on the only spot where the jack stand should go.  

If you jack up the car using the supplied screw jack, you should find 
 that there is a separate point where an axle stand can go (strangely 
 enough, never under the axle).

I was working on replacing the rear suspension on my 80q five years ago 
 when I had a very frightening experience.  My drive was made of course 
 gravel which had been compacted over the years.  I jacked up the car 
 and put an axle stand on every corner.  I then crawled under the car 
 and tried to take the rear suspension apart.

One of the bolts was very difficult to undo (hadn't moved for 7 years) 
 so I put some effort into it.  With no warning, all the axle stands 
 leaned over and the car fell on me.  It pinned me to the ground 
 because the wishbone (A-arm) was resting on my chest.  I couldn't lift 
 the rear of the car on my own from this position.  Luckily my wife was 
 within earshot, so between the two of us, we managed to lift the car 
 enough for me to crawl out, but I figure I was very lucky.

Obviously, the gravel had a part to play in this.  However, I have seen 
 a number of hydraulic jacks gradually collapse, and I have seen cars 
 fall off screw jacks.  If you are underneath, it just isn't worth the 
 risk.  These days, I don't even trust axle stands on firm ground.  I 
 always put a wheel under the car so that if it falls, it crushes the 
 wheel and not me.

Paul
paul.heneghan@bbc.co.uk
1984 Audi 80 quattro
1983 Audi 100 Avant

p.s. It's surprising how many of my colleagues and friends can tell 
 similar stories and show impressive scars (you should see the one on 
 my friend's head made by a Landrover diff!).