Jack Stand Tips, Tricks, Safety
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,751
Likes: 2,499
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,591
Likes: 111
From: North Brunswick NJ
Jack Stand Pads
Go to a Medical Supply store and ask for the pads that go on top of a pair of crutches. They work great.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,614
Likes: 7
From: South Florida
Here is a story. Take it or leave it.
I had the car on jack stands 15 years ago. Two jack stands in front. Rear tires in contact with the ground in the rear. My dad and I were working under the car and applying a lot of force upward. We actually lifted the car up enough and to the side and the car fell off the jack stands. I was under the car and he was half under the car. I realized it was moving and pushed out from under the car in a fashion that took him with me. The car crushed a headlight cover and that was it.
So lessons I learned were:
1) have a back-up "jack stand" so you don't get crushed. An old rim or a 6 x 6 with a couple of 2x6s nailed to it work great. (nothing mechanical there to fail).
2) know what you are doing on the car and anticipate the outcomes of your efforts. I've had bolts frozen on the chassis, and lifted the car off of a corner with good cheater bar. (This is more prevalent as you remove a lot of things, because the car is lighter). Somewhere, I've seen a photo of someone's car that fell off of a lift.
I had the car on jack stands 15 years ago. Two jack stands in front. Rear tires in contact with the ground in the rear. My dad and I were working under the car and applying a lot of force upward. We actually lifted the car up enough and to the side and the car fell off the jack stands. I was under the car and he was half under the car. I realized it was moving and pushed out from under the car in a fashion that took him with me. The car crushed a headlight cover and that was it.
So lessons I learned were:
1) have a back-up "jack stand" so you don't get crushed. An old rim or a 6 x 6 with a couple of 2x6s nailed to it work great. (nothing mechanical there to fail).
2) know what you are doing on the car and anticipate the outcomes of your efforts. I've had bolts frozen on the chassis, and lifted the car off of a corner with good cheater bar. (This is more prevalent as you remove a lot of things, because the car is lighter). Somewhere, I've seen a photo of someone's car that fell off of a lift.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Thank you. 
I put the jackstand on the side in which I am working and bring it to just within pressure as a backup.
I also don't work on the car unless I have a spotter present, never alone. My spotter is out picking up parts for me today so I will be under the car this afternoon taking off the patriot pipes. I will then bring the car back to the ground for some internal work over the weekend. Should be in much better shape by the end of the weekend. Can't wait.
Thanks again.
David
I put the jackstand on the side in which I am working and bring it to just within pressure as a backup.
I also don't work on the car unless I have a spotter present, never alone. My spotter is out picking up parts for me today so I will be under the car this afternoon taking off the patriot pipes. I will then bring the car back to the ground for some internal work over the weekend. Should be in much better shape by the end of the weekend. Can't wait.
Thanks again.
David
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Here is a story. Take it or leave it.
I had the car on jack stands 15 years ago. Two jack stands in front. Rear tires in contact with the ground in the rear. My dad and I were working under the car and applying a lot of force upward. We actually lifted the car up enough and to the side and the car fell off the jack stands. I was under the car and he was half under the car. I realized it was moving and pushed out from under the car in a fashion that took him with me. The car crushed a headlight cover and that was it.
So lessons I learned were:
1) have a back-up "jack stand" so you don't get crushed. An old rim or a 6 x 6 with a couple of 2x6s nailed to it work great. (nothing mechanical there to fail).
2) know what you are doing on the car and anticipate the outcomes of your efforts. I've had bolts frozen on the chassis, and lifted the car off of a corner with good cheater bar. (This is more prevalent as you remove a lot of things, because the car is lighter). Somewhere, I've seen a photo of someone's car that fell off of a lift.
I had the car on jack stands 15 years ago. Two jack stands in front. Rear tires in contact with the ground in the rear. My dad and I were working under the car and applying a lot of force upward. We actually lifted the car up enough and to the side and the car fell off the jack stands. I was under the car and he was half under the car. I realized it was moving and pushed out from under the car in a fashion that took him with me. The car crushed a headlight cover and that was it.
So lessons I learned were:
1) have a back-up "jack stand" so you don't get crushed. An old rim or a 6 x 6 with a couple of 2x6s nailed to it work great. (nothing mechanical there to fail).
2) know what you are doing on the car and anticipate the outcomes of your efforts. I've had bolts frozen on the chassis, and lifted the car off of a corner with good cheater bar. (This is more prevalent as you remove a lot of things, because the car is lighter). Somewhere, I've seen a photo of someone's car that fell off of a lift.
And I understand this one. Upward pressure would be capable of pushing the car up and off the stands. My work will be disconnecting the exhaust pipe running from the manifold to the Patriot Pipes on the car. When the bolts are off and I can remove the pipes I will put the car back down on the ground. Sounds like a plan.Thanks again.
David
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
Thank you.
I put the jackstand on the side in which I am working and bring it to just within pressure as a backup. Attachment 47626882
I also don't work on the car unless I have a spotter present, never alone. My spotter is out picking up parts for me today so I will be under the car this afternoon taking off the patriot pipes. I will then bring the car back to the ground for some internal work over the weekend. Should be in much better shape by the end of the weekend. Can't wait.
Thanks again.
David
I put the jackstand on the side in which I am working and bring it to just within pressure as a backup. Attachment 47626882
I also don't work on the car unless I have a spotter present, never alone. My spotter is out picking up parts for me today so I will be under the car this afternoon taking off the patriot pipes. I will then bring the car back to the ground for some internal work over the weekend. Should be in much better shape by the end of the weekend. Can't wait.
Thanks again.
David
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,381
Likes: 789
From: Redondo Beach, California
My most nervous moments have been laying under the car, torqueing up the pitman arm nut. I needs something like 140 ft-lbs. Even using this much torque with a nearly three foot torque wrench always makes me fear that I'm going to twist the car off of the jacks! I know, it doesn't seem like I could actually budge the car, but I still feel a lot of anxiety.
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Brett Foote
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,751
Likes: 2,499
From: Buckeye, AZ
St. Jude Donor '12-'13
Another thing I do nowadays.......keep a cordless or cell phone under the car with me when working alone. I have heard stories of guys getting pinned uninjured under the car. If you at least have the phone with you you may have an out!!!!!
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
David
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
you'll be fine, but as a side note, the jack I use is one of those $20 cheapos with a removable handle. I was thinking this is what you had. What worries me about you're set up, is handle sticking up there. If you can remove it duing work, do, as someone could come along and trip, pull down on the handle, move the jack up and upset the car on the stands. cheapos will work just fine and are around 20 at autozone.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 12,146
Likes: 2,038
From: Easton, PA
St. Jude Donor '10
Thank you goes out to all who have written on this. I have completed my work under the car and the car is safely back down on the ground. For the record I jacked one side first, then the other, and it worked out well. Also for the record, I got a crack in the front of the car by leaving the nose hanging out there, so from now on I would recoommend two jack stands up front, and two in front of the back wheels. Now back on the groudn the flex crack is all but invisible, but I know it is there.We did it as a team, did it safely, and did it quickly to get it up, get in, get out, get her back down. I couldn't have done it without your help.
Thank you.
David and Adam Howard
77 Sleeper
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 244
Likes: 3
From: Long Island
Yea, Never jack the car at the cross member, not designed for it and it will dent in. safest way to work on a car is two jack stands in front, rear wheels on the ground and E-brake locked in tight, roller floor jack in contact with the frame a bit, safest way. good luck, and happy 'Vette work. Chris.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
