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Working under a jacked vehicle
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical
jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink i |
Working under a jacked vehicle
"Ignoramus23641" wrote in message ... Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink i I wouldn't. The base is too narrow and even bolting it down to a piece of steel still leaves one side in tension, if you bump the vehicle at all. That's not for me. If it has a rack and a positive lock for the rack, and I mean POSITIVE, I would accept that, but not the narrow base. If you're going to work under cars and trucks, you really want some broad-base, really solid standing jacks. They're a lifetime investment. Mine are 45 years old. -- Ed Huntress |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Jul 13, 5:04*pm, Ignoramus23641 ignoramus23...@NOSPAM.
23641.invalid wrote: Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7... Those are only approved for liberal Democrats. |
Working under a jacked vehicle
In article , Ignoramus23641 wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...AhN7B42H-ddOjx hE?feat=directlink It's never safe to work under a vehicle that is asymmetrically supported. Supports should always be used in pairs if you're going to be underneath it. |
Working under a jacked vehicle
Ignoramus23641 wrote: Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink i Those are great jacks, but not a substitute for a pair of proper jack stands. A pair of proper 6T jack stands is $50 generally if you shop around. A real vehicle lift can be had for around $2k used for us normal folks, or $200 for Iggy... |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Jul 13, 4:04*pm, Ignoramus23641 ignoramus23...@NOSPAM.
23641.invalid wrote: Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7... i The old advice is correct, NEVER work under a vehicle supported just by a jack. Seals fail on hydraulics, mechaincal ones can twist or tip. HF has jackstands so cheap, it's foolish not to have a pair or two. I've personally had a car roll on me supported just by a jack, I rolled out just before it came down or I would have been squished. Jack it up, stick the jackstand under it and set it down on that. Either that or get some heavy duty ramps. Have a set of those, too. If you're working on the rear and want to jack that up, block the fronts with wheel chocks. All this stuff costs peanuts compared with what COULD happen if the thing rolls while you're under there. Stan |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Jul 13, 6:04*pm, Ignoramus23641 ignoramus23...@NOSPAM.
23641.invalid wrote: Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7... i NO WAY would I trust my precious self to that. My personal standard is two ramps, two wide-based jack stands with feet added to protect the asphalt, and try real hard to shake the vehicle off the stands before crawling under. If at all possible I leave the tires on, otherwise (hubs, ball joints etc) I add another stand or large wooden blocks. jsw |
Working under a jacked vehicle
Ignoramus23641 wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink i I'd be happier if a nice chunk of firewood was backing that jack up. I tend to use ramps, wood or metal but even with those, a blowout of a tire could ruin my day. Use the jacks if you want to but have something else to save you from a crushing injury if the jack slips or fails. I can't bench press my vehicle, I doubt you can either. Wes |
Working under a jacked vehicle
Rex wrote:
On Jul 13, 5:04 pm, Ignoramus23641ignoramus23...@NOSPAM. 23641.invalid wrote: Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7... Those are only approved for liberal Democrats. Or Red Army enlisted soldiers. |
Working under a jacked vehicle
Ignoramus23641 wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink Something that's kept me alive and with all my limbs is the philosophy of always being at least 2 and ideally 3 mistakes away from an accident. Jack up your car, one mistake away. Stick a jack stand under it, two mistakes. Roll the wheel under it as well, three mistakes. |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On 7/13/2011 6:11 PM, Ed Huntress wrote:
id wrote in message ... Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink i I wouldn't. The base is too narrow and even bolting it down to a piece of steel still leaves one side in tension, if you bump the vehicle at all. That's not for me. If it has a rack and a positive lock for the rack, and I mean POSITIVE, I would accept that, but not the narrow base. If you're going to work under cars and trucks, you really want some broad-base, really solid standing jacks. They're a lifetime investment. Mine are 45 years old. I second that, as you only get one chance. I use a hydraulic jack backed up by 2 jackstands & wheel chock plus if I have to take a tire off, that goes under the frame as well. I had a friend mangle his hand due to a jack slipping, so I am very paranoid. Torquing on bolts rock a car around... MikeB -- Email is valid but not checked often |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Jul 13, 6:04*pm, Ignoramus23641 ignoramus23...@NOSPAM.
23641.invalid wrote: Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7... i I think it is safe 29 times out of 30. Not a high enough number to risk the results when it is not safe. Dan |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:04:00 -0500, Ignoramus23641
wrote: Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink Yes, if you use a jack stand with it (with any jack.) If I'd had a jack stand on the tow truck 27 years ago, I wouldn't have hurt my back by trying to life something at extension. sigh -- Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace. -- Robert J. Sawyer |
Working under a jacked vehicle
"Jon Anderson" wrote in message ... On 7/13/2011 2:11 PM, Ed Huntress wrote: If you're going to work under cars and trucks, you really want some broad-base, really solid standing jacks. They're a lifetime investment. Mine are 45 years old. Some 25 years ago, I was out riding my motorcycle, and decided to stop by a friend's house that I was passing by. He was sitting on the ground next to his car, which had the right front wheel off, and the body just behind the wheel well was resting directly on the wheel. My first impression was that he was using that as a stand. Heh, nice and stable! But then I saw the look in his eyes and noticed some minor cuts and scratches on his face. He'd been under the car while it was supported solely by a jack. What type I don't recall. Anyway, wrenching a bolt loose, the jack shifted and the car fell on him. The only reason I came by to hear the tale, and not find him dead under his car, was the tire, and he freely admitted it just happened to get shoved under the body, that wasn't a safety backup. I'm always very very cautious about working under any vehicle that's on supports/stands. I've got a pair my grandfather made in the 40's, 12" square base, they'd hold the front end of anything I'd ever own with no worries. But few modern stands have a wide base for me. Iggy's jack, I wouldn't trust even with my ex under the car... Jon Yes, the base on most consumer-grade jacks is not up to the job. It gives me the creeps just to look at them and imagine someone coming up and leaning on a fender while I'm underneath... -- Ed Huntress |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:17:02 -0700 (PDT), the renowned
" wrote: On Jul 13, 6:04*pm, Ignoramus23641 ignoramus23...@NOSPAM. 23641.invalid wrote: Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7... i I think it is safe 29 times out of 30. Not a high enough number to risk the results when it is not safe. Dan Roughly as safe as the space shuttle. Best regards, Spehro Pefhany -- "it's the network..." "The Journey is the reward" Info for manufacturers: http://www.trexon.com Embedded software/hardware/analog Info for designers: http://www.speff.com |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On 7/13/2011 2:11 PM, Ed Huntress wrote:
If you're going to work under cars and trucks, you really want some broad-base, really solid standing jacks. They're a lifetime investment. Mine are 45 years old. Some 25 years ago, I was out riding my motorcycle, and decided to stop by a friend's house that I was passing by. He was sitting on the ground next to his car, which had the right front wheel off, and the body just behind the wheel well was resting directly on the wheel. My first impression was that he was using that as a stand. Heh, nice and stable! But then I saw the look in his eyes and noticed some minor cuts and scratches on his face. He'd been under the car while it was supported solely by a jack. What type I don't recall. Anyway, wrenching a bolt loose, the jack shifted and the car fell on him. The only reason I came by to hear the tale, and not find him dead under his car, was the tire, and he freely admitted it just happened to get shoved under the body, that wasn't a safety backup. I'm always very very cautious about working under any vehicle that's on supports/stands. I've got a pair my grandfather made in the 40's, 12" square base, they'd hold the front end of anything I'd ever own with no worries. But few modern stands have a wide base for me. Iggy's jack, I wouldn't trust even with my ex under the car... Jon |
Working under a jacked vehicle
wrote:
On Jul 13, 4:04 pm, Ignoramus23641ignoramus23...@NOSPAM. 23641.invalid wrote: Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7... i The old advice is correct, NEVER work under a vehicle supported just by a jack. Seals fail on hydraulics, mechaincal ones can twist or tip. HF has jackstands so cheap, it's foolish not to have a pair or two. I've personally had a car roll on me supported just by a jack, I rolled out just before it came down or I would have been squished. Jack it up, stick the jackstand under it and set it down on that. Either that or get some heavy duty ramps. Have a set of those, too. If you're working on the rear and want to jack that up, block the fronts with wheel chocks. All this stuff costs peanuts compared with what COULD happen if the thing rolls while you're under there. I've been using a pair of these for the last few years: http://www.raceramps.com/race-ramps-56.aspx They are the cat's pajamas. Very strong and lightweight. --Winston |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On 2011-07-14, Ed Huntress wrote:
"Jon Anderson" wrote in message ... On 7/13/2011 2:11 PM, Ed Huntress wrote: If you're going to work under cars and trucks, you really want some broad-base, really solid standing jacks. They're a lifetime investment. Mine are 45 years old. Some 25 years ago, I was out riding my motorcycle, and decided to stop by a friend's house that I was passing by. He was sitting on the ground next to his car, which had the right front wheel off, and the body just behind the wheel well was resting directly on the wheel. My first impression was that he was using that as a stand. Heh, nice and stable! But then I saw the look in his eyes and noticed some minor cuts and scratches on his face. He'd been under the car while it was supported solely by a jack. What type I don't recall. Anyway, wrenching a bolt loose, the jack shifted and the car fell on him. The only reason I came by to hear the tale, and not find him dead under his car, was the tire, and he freely admitted it just happened to get shoved under the body, that wasn't a safety backup. I'm always very very cautious about working under any vehicle that's on supports/stands. I've got a pair my grandfather made in the 40's, 12" square base, they'd hold the front end of anything I'd ever own with no worries. But few modern stands have a wide base for me. Iggy's jack, I wouldn't trust even with my ex under the car... Jon Yes, the base on most consumer-grade jacks is not up to the job. It gives me the creeps just to look at them and imagine someone coming up and leaning on a fender while I'm underneath... I think that I got it. Thanks guys. i |
Working under a jacked vehicle
"Ignoramus23641" wrote in message ... On 2011-07-14, Ed Huntress wrote: "Jon Anderson" wrote in message ... On 7/13/2011 2:11 PM, Ed Huntress wrote: If you're going to work under cars and trucks, you really want some broad-base, really solid standing jacks. They're a lifetime investment. Mine are 45 years old. Some 25 years ago, I was out riding my motorcycle, and decided to stop by a friend's house that I was passing by. He was sitting on the ground next to his car, which had the right front wheel off, and the body just behind the wheel well was resting directly on the wheel. My first impression was that he was using that as a stand. Heh, nice and stable! But then I saw the look in his eyes and noticed some minor cuts and scratches on his face. He'd been under the car while it was supported solely by a jack. What type I don't recall. Anyway, wrenching a bolt loose, the jack shifted and the car fell on him. The only reason I came by to hear the tale, and not find him dead under his car, was the tire, and he freely admitted it just happened to get shoved under the body, that wasn't a safety backup. I'm always very very cautious about working under any vehicle that's on supports/stands. I've got a pair my grandfather made in the 40's, 12" square base, they'd hold the front end of anything I'd ever own with no worries. But few modern stands have a wide base for me. Iggy's jack, I wouldn't trust even with my ex under the car... Jon Yes, the base on most consumer-grade jacks is not up to the job. It gives me the creeps just to look at them and imagine someone coming up and leaning on a fender while I'm underneath... I think that I got it. Thanks guys. i Note Winston's suggestion about ramps. They're good. I use ramps for changing oil, etc. But they get in the way when you're working out on the corners, and you can't use them for jobs that require the suspension to be unloaded, like changing struts or replacing half-axles. Be careful not to drive over the end of a ramp, or you're in deep doo-doo. In about 48 years of using them, I have not yet driven over the end of one. But I expect to every time I do it. -- Ed Huntress |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Jul 13, 5:04*pm, Ignoramus23641 ignoramus23...@NOSPAM.
23641.invalid wrote: Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7... i NO..NO..NO!!!! ALWAYS have another support in place if the primary lift device fails. NO EXCEPTIONS! In an earlier life, I spent many hours under heavy objects supported by mechanical and hydraulic jacks. After seeing repeated failures in those lifting devices, I can speak from personal experience..ALWAYS have a backup support device in place before you place any part of your body that you value. TMT |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Jul 13, 6:15*pm, BQ340 wrote:
On 7/13/2011 6:11 PM, Ed Huntress wrote: id *wrote in message m... Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7.... i I wouldn't. The base is too narrow and even bolting it down to a piece of steel still leaves one side in tension, if you bump the vehicle at all. That's not for me. If it has a rack and a positive lock for the rack, and I mean POSITIVE, I would accept that, but not the narrow base. If you're going to work under cars and trucks, you really want some broad-base, really solid standing jacks. They're a lifetime investment. Mine are 45 years old. I second that, as you only get one chance. I use a hydraulic jack backed up by 2 jackstands & wheel chock plus if I have to take a tire off, that goes under the frame as well. I had a friend mangle his hand due to a jack slipping, so I am very paranoid. Torquing on bolts rock a car around.... MikeB -- Email is valid but not checked often- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - I have seen so many hydraulic jacks blow their seals I have lost count. I remember one which had a car up on it...I was walking past it when *BANG* the car hit the ground. The seal on the jack had just blown. If someone had been under it..they would have been DEAD. It happened in less than a second..no time to react. Except for me to jump when the car hit the ground. TMT |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Jul 13, 7:23*pm, Jon Anderson wrote:
On 7/13/2011 2:11 PM, Ed Huntress wrote: If you're going to work under cars and trucks, you really want some broad-base, really solid standing jacks. They're a lifetime investment. Mine are 45 years old. Some 25 years ago, I was out riding my motorcycle, and decided to stop by a friend's house that I was passing by. He was sitting on the ground next to his car, which had the right front wheel off, and the body just behind the wheel well was resting directly on the wheel. My first impression was that he was using that as a stand. Heh, nice and stable! But then I saw the look in his eyes and noticed some minor cuts and scratches on his face. He'd been under the car while it was supported solely by a jack. What type I don't recall. Anyway, wrenching a bolt loose, the jack shifted and the car fell on him. The only reason I came by to hear the tale, and not find him dead under his car, was the tire, and he freely admitted it just happened to get shoved under the body, that wasn't a safety backup. I'm always very very cautious about working under any vehicle that's on supports/stands. I've got a pair my grandfather made in the 40's, 12" square base, they'd hold the front end of anything I'd ever own with no worries. But few modern stands have a wide base for me. Iggy's jack, I wouldn't trust even with my ex under the car... Jon You make a very good point about the narrow bases on modern stands. I have added wider bases to all my stands and jacks...damn cheap life insurance. TMT |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Jul 13, 7:12*pm, Tim Wescott wrote:
On 07/13/2011 03:30 PM, wrote: On Jul 13, 4:04 pm, Ignoramus23641ignoramus23...@NOSPAM. 23641.invalid *wrote: Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7.... i The old advice is correct, NEVER work under a vehicle supported just by a jack. *Seals fail on hydraulics, mechaincal ones can twist or tip. * HF has jackstands so cheap, it's foolish not to have a pair or two. *I've personally had a car roll on me supported just by a jack, I rolled out just before it came down or I would have been squished. Jack it up, stick the jackstand under it and set it down on that. Either that or get some heavy duty ramps. *Have a set of those, too. If you're working on the rear and want to jack that up, block the fronts with wheel chocks. *All this stuff costs peanuts compared with what COULD happen if the thing rolls while you're under there. Even if all your relatives have to pay for is a cheap funeral, that's still more expensive. And if it squishes you and leaves you brain-damaged but alive and needy -- that's _way_ more expensive than jack stands. Always use jack stands, and think about what's under them (the driveway at my old place featured concrete that was only 1/2" thick in places -- I learned this one day when I stuck a jack under a car and jacked the driveway down an inch or two. *After that, jack stands always went onto pads of thick plywood or sections of 2x12). -- Tim Wescott Wescott Design Serviceshttp://www.wescottdesign.com Do you need to implement control loops in software? "Applied Control Theory for Embedded Systems" was written for you. See details athttp://www.wescottdesign.com/actfes/actfes.html- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - Another very good point. I have had several jacks fall through the driveway/garage floors over the years. Driveways have hollow spots under the pavement where trees rot out and animals dig. Garage floors can be just as devious. The wider the base the jack/stand sits on, the safer it is. And ALWAYS have at least one backup support in place before you put yourself in harm's way. TMT |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On 2011-07-13, Ignoramus23641 wrote:
Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink With no jack stands set to take the load if this one starts to topple -- I would say *no*. It does not seem to have a wide enough base to be stable -- assuming that it is small enough to fit under the vehicle to start with. This looks like a railroad jack to me, which is typically too large to fit under most vehicles which you would need a jack to get yourself and a creeper under. Enjoy, DoN. -- Remove oil spill source from e-mail Email: | Voice (all times): (703) 938-4564 (too) near Washington D.C. | http://www.d-and-d.com/dnichols/DoN.html --- Black Holes are where God is dividing by zero --- |
Working under a jacked vehicle
Ed Huntress wrote:
(...) Note Winston's suggestion about ramps. They're good. I use ramps for changing oil, etc. But they get in the way when you're working out on the corners, and you can't use them for jobs that require the suspension to be unloaded, like changing struts or replacing half-axles. Be careful not to drive over the end of a ramp, or you're in deep doo-doo. In about 48 years of using them, I have not yet driven over the end of one. But I expect to every time I do it. That's the beauty of the Race Ramps: http://www.raceramps.com/images/prod...ramps-56-1.jpg The top of the ramp levels out then ends in a substantial 'stop' feature. The traditional stamped steel ramps' 'wheel cradle' feature has you driving 'downhill' towards the stop after the ramp, giving you a queasy feeling that you *could* drive off the end. http://www.stabilimenta.com/ebaypics/carramps.jpg OH! And another thing. The Race Ramps stay put on an inclined driveway! Exciting times when one steel ramp would squirt forward from under the car. I actually had to peg them into the driveway to prevent that. Feh. --Winston :) |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Jul 13, 8:21*pm, Spehro Pefhany
wrote: I think it is safe 29 times out of 30. *Not a high enough number to risk the results when it is not safe. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Dan Roughly as safe as the space shuttle. Best regards, Spehro Pefhany I would not sign up to be an astronaut either. Dan |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:11:13 -0400, "Ed Huntress"
wrote: "Ignoramus23641" wrote in message m... Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink i I wouldn't. ABSOLUTELY NOT safe for working under a vehicle with that jack. Dave |
Working under a jacked vehicle
"Winston" wrote in message ... Ed Huntress wrote: (...) Note Winston's suggestion about ramps. They're good. I use ramps for changing oil, etc. But they get in the way when you're working out on the corners, and you can't use them for jobs that require the suspension to be unloaded, like changing struts or replacing half-axles. Be careful not to drive over the end of a ramp, or you're in deep doo-doo. In about 48 years of using them, I have not yet driven over the end of one. But I expect to every time I do it. That's the beauty of the Race Ramps: http://www.raceramps.com/images/prod...ramps-56-1.jpg The top of the ramp levels out then ends in a substantial 'stop' feature. Yeah, they look nice. A little pricey, though. I built my first set out of wood. Strong, with a big stop at the end, but they weighed maybe 50 pounds each. d8-) Now I use a substantial pair made out of steel. They're not as nice as yours. -- Ed Huntress The traditional stamped steel ramps' 'wheel cradle' feature has you driving 'downhill' towards the stop after the ramp, giving you a queasy feeling that you *could* drive off the end. http://www.stabilimenta.com/ebaypics/carramps.jpg OH! And another thing. The Race Ramps stay put on an inclined driveway! Exciting times when one steel ramp would squirt forward from under the car. I actually had to peg them into the driveway to prevent that. Feh. --Winston :) |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Jul 14, 8:04*am, Ignoramus23641 ignoramus23...@NOSPAM.
23641.invalid wrote: Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7... i Iggy, I sometimes wonder about you. You propose some strange, dangerous things, seemingly unaware of the blatantly obvious. The Traditional, devil-may-care vehicle support here is piles of bricks stacked up - blocks of wood if available too - works OK, sort of. And I think it would work better than whatever it is in the picture you linked too. If you thought about it real hard, you could probably wedge it in there somewhere, after you do the bricks. Remember, put the bricks down with the right side up. Andrew VK3BFA. |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Jul 14, 8:25*am, Andrew VK3BFA wrote:
On Jul 14, 8:04*am, Ignoramus23641 ignoramus23...@NOSPAM. 23641.invalid wrote: Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7... i Iggy, I sometimes wonder about you. You propose some strange, dangerous things, seemingly unaware of the blatantly obvious. The Traditional, devil-may-care vehicle support here is piles of bricks stacked up - blocks of wood if available too - *works OK, sort of. And I think it would work better than whatever it is in the picture you linked too. If you thought about it real hard, you could probably wedge it in there somewhere, after you do the bricks. Remember, put the bricks down with the right side up. Andrew VK3BFA. "Blatantly obvious" is only obvious to those of us with previous experience. In Ig's past, using one jack may be a very acceptable..and very dangerous..practice. If it works, you live another day..if it does not..well dead men don't talk. When I grew up, we used gasoline to wash parts...only much later did I find out how freaking dangerous it is. I think quite highly of Ig...when he doesn't know..he asks. That is a sign of an inquistive and inquiring mind...something I highly admire. TMT |
Working under a jacked vehicle
Ed Huntress wrote:
wrote in message ... (...) The top of the ramp levels out then ends in a substantial 'stop' feature. http://www.raceramps.com/images/prod...etail/RR56.png Yeah, they look nice. A little pricey, though. I built my first set out of wood. Strong, with a big stop at the end, but they weighed maybe 50 pounds each. d8-) That highly resembles the set I borrowed from dear old Dad Every !@#$%^ weekend. They were made from solid, diagonally-cut 12 x 12 lumber. We didn't have any wussy "travel stops" on the ends. I came close to driving off the end, a couple times. Now I use a substantial pair made out of steel. They're not as nice as yours. I gulped when I saw the price but I was *so* tired of nailing the 'low' edge of the ramps into the driveway so they wouldn't squirt out from under the car. (When that happened once, a neighbor across the street yelled out "Hey! Are YOU OK?") Heh. :) I'm philosophical about the cost of safety-related gear. The cost of one ER visit can buy *lots* of high tech ramps and jack stands. --Winston |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On 7/14/2011 8:47 AM, Winston wrote:
The cost of one ER visit can buy *lots* of high tech ramps and jack stands. Isn't that the truth! Applies to all manner of gear related to safety... Jon |
Working under a jacked vehicle
Ignoramus23641 on Wed, 13 Jul
2011 17:04:00 -0500 typed in rec.crafts.metalworking the following: Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink Safer than what? The problem with jacks is that they are meant to move, under a load, and lower vehicles. Mechanical jacks are _less_ likely to do that than a hydraulic jack, if only because there is less possibility of a seal failing. -- pyotr filipivich We will drink no whiskey before its nine. It's eight fifty eight. Close enough! |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:07:12 -0700, Winston
wrote: Ed Huntress wrote: (...) Note Winston's suggestion about ramps. They're good. I use ramps for changing oil, etc. But they get in the way when you're working out on the corners, and you can't use them for jobs that require the suspension to be unloaded, like changing struts or replacing half-axles. Be careful not to drive over the end of a ramp, or you're in deep doo-doo. In about 48 years of using them, I have not yet driven over the end of one. But I expect to every time I do it. That's the beauty of the Race Ramps: http://www.raceramps.com/images/prod...ramps-56-1.jpg The top of the ramp levels out then ends in a substantial 'stop' feature. The traditional stamped steel ramps' 'wheel cradle' feature has you driving 'downhill' towards the stop after the ramp, giving you a queasy feeling that you *could* drive off the end. http://www.stabilimenta.com/ebaypics/carramps.jpg OH! And another thing. The Race Ramps stay put on an inclined driveway! Exciting times when one steel ramp would squirt forward from under the car. I actually had to peg them into the driveway to prevent that. Feh. --Winston :) unfortunately, I need a 12" length of 2x4 to get my Toy Car onto my ramps, but I only do that about once every ten years. The ramps are here for the use of "others". Gerry :-)} London, Canada |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:25:02 -0700, pyotr filipivich
wrote: Ignoramus23641 on Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:04:00 -0500 typed in rec.crafts.metalworking the following: Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink Safer than what? The problem with jacks is that they are meant to move, under a load, and lower vehicles. Mechanical jacks are _less_ likely to do that than a hydraulic jack, if only because there is less possibility of a seal failing. First jack I ever bought consisted of a 4 inch square base plate with a dimple in the centre, a 30inch length of 3/4" acme threaded rod, a hook shaped nut to engage the bumper and an "L" shaped rod to fit the hole in the upper end of thet threaded rod. Greatest gadget for getting the car to move sidewise from a stuck position in soft ground, just pick up the end of the car and push side.ways. Of course you needed a couple people to steady the car until it was time to move it sideways Gerry :-)} London, Canada |
Working under a jacked vehicle
"Gerald Miller" wrote in message ... On Wed, 13 Jul 2011 23:07:12 -0700, Winston wrote: Ed Huntress wrote: (...) Note Winston's suggestion about ramps. They're good. I use ramps for changing oil, etc. But they get in the way when you're working out on the corners, and you can't use them for jobs that require the suspension to be unloaded, like changing struts or replacing half-axles. Be careful not to drive over the end of a ramp, or you're in deep doo-doo. In about 48 years of using them, I have not yet driven over the end of one. But I expect to every time I do it. That's the beauty of the Race Ramps: http://www.raceramps.com/images/prod...ramps-56-1.jpg The top of the ramp levels out then ends in a substantial 'stop' feature. The traditional stamped steel ramps' 'wheel cradle' feature has you driving 'downhill' towards the stop after the ramp, giving you a queasy feeling that you *could* drive off the end. http://www.stabilimenta.com/ebaypics/carramps.jpg OH! And another thing. The Race Ramps stay put on an inclined driveway! Exciting times when one steel ramp would squirt forward from under the car. I actually had to peg them into the driveway to prevent that. Feh. --Winston :) unfortunately, I need a 12" length of 2x4 to get my Toy Car onto my ramps,.... Same here, for my Hyundai Sonata. My Ford Focus goes right up. So, I have two short lengths of 2x4 stored with my ramps. Winston's ramps are looking awfully good, though. -- Ed Huntress but I only do that about once every ten years. The ramps are here for the use of "others". Gerry :-)} London, Canada |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Wed, 13 Jul 2011 17:04:00 -0500, Ignoramus23641
wrote: Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink i No. |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Wed, 13 Jul 2011 19:15:40 -0400, BQ340 wrote:
On 7/13/2011 6:11 PM, Ed Huntress wrote: id wrote in message ... Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...eat=directlink i I wouldn't. The base is too narrow and even bolting it down to a piece of steel still leaves one side in tension, if you bump the vehicle at all. That's not for me. If it has a rack and a positive lock for the rack, and I mean POSITIVE, I would accept that, but not the narrow base. If you're going to work under cars and trucks, you really want some broad-base, really solid standing jacks. They're a lifetime investment. Mine are 45 years old. I second that, as you only get one chance. I use a hydraulic jack backed up by 2 jackstands & wheel chock plus if I have to take a tire off, that goes under the frame as well. I had a friend mangle his hand due to a jack slipping, so I am very paranoid. Torquing on bolts rock a car around... MikeB I NEVER do the final torquing while on the jack. Pull the nuts snug, drop the car, and torque. |
Working under a jacked vehicle
On Wed, 13 Jul 2011 20:30:20 -0700 (PDT), Too_Many_Tools
wrote: On Jul 13, 6:15Â*pm, BQ340 wrote: On 7/13/2011 6:11 PM, Ed Huntress wrote: id Â*wrote in message m... Would it be safe to work under a jacked vehicle, if I use a mechanical jack like this: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/phot...UboR9xO3bjAhN7... i I wouldn't. The base is too narrow and even bolting it down to a piece of steel still leaves one side in tension, if you bump the vehicle at all. That's not for me. If it has a rack and a positive lock for the rack, and I mean POSITIVE, I would accept that, but not the narrow base. If you're going to work under cars and trucks, you really want some broad-base, really solid standing jacks. They're a lifetime investment. Mine are 45 years old. I second that, as you only get one chance. I use a hydraulic jack backed up by 2 jackstands & wheel chock plus if I have to take a tire off, that goes under the frame as well. I had a friend mangle his hand due to a jack slipping, so I am very paranoid. Torquing on bolts rock a car around... MikeB -- Email is valid but not checked often- Hide quoted text - - Show quoted text - I have seen so many hydraulic jacks blow their seals I have lost count. I remember one which had a car up on it...I was walking past it when *BANG* the car hit the ground. The seal on the jack had just blown. If someone had been under it..they would have been DEAD. It happened in less than a second..no time to react. Except for me to jump when the car hit the ground. TMT My brother had a hydraulic HOIST come down - a two-poster. just about dumped the mini-bus off, while he was working on it. |
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