Just a friendly reminder to all

[7 plus 2]

If you are a DIYer, like most here, you should already know that a jack, of any kind, is not all that you should use if you plan on getting under the vehicle. Jack stands are also needed. However, the surface you are doing the work on is also critical. My neighbor at my shop, and his friend, where working on the suspension of his SUV. They had a floor jack and axel stands and thought they were safe. Both front wheels where off. But… they where working on his gravel driveway. They where hitting a particularly stubborn piece when the whole lot shifted and fell on them. My neighbor, with adrenaline flowing, lifted the SUV off his chest and then ran to the other sided and lifted the vehicle off his friends arm. Long story short, his friend had a broken arm and pinched nerve. My neighbor had 3 broken ribs on each side and a punctured lung. Moral: be VERY careful when working under any vehicle.

[Toyotus 7]

Thanks for that reminder, 7 plus 2. I once knew a mechanic who was crushed to death under a vehicle when the jack failed. He should known better, but the result was certainly nothing short of tragic and preventable.

[TomF]

My neighbor had 3 broken ribs on each side and a punctured lung.

...and still bench-pressed an SUV! Don't make him angry. You wouldn't like him when he's angry.

[rx7locost]

Thanks for the good reminder. Really? Lifted the SUV? WOW!

 

In addition to the jack stands, I usually take the wheels and place them under each of the frame rails of the lifted car. If the stands fail or slip, the wheels won't stop the pain. But it might just let you continue to breath a little until help arrives.

[7 plus 2]

...and still bench-pressed an SUV! Don't make him angry. You wouldn't like him when he's angry.

My neighbors arms are bigger than my thighs. Let's just say he doesn't fit in my seven.

[7 plus 2]

Newmarket Iron, when it was an auto wreckers, used to allow everyone to remover their own parts. Then one day some guy, using 2 fender jacks on the front bumper of a pickup truck, while getting a part from under the vehicle, was found by Dave, one off the owners of the yard, crushed to death. When in doubt...don't