I was jacking up my 76 just a minute ago, and as i was jacking up the front left corner from the front left framerail, I put a block under the wheel and then a few seconds after this, i heard a loud bang, and i find my side trim dented, and the jack a couple inches away from the car.

Thankfully, it landed on the block, so no major damage was done. needless to say i'm still riled up after that, and im investing in ramps.

The blame is really mine, i didn't think that i would need hockey pucks, so i just put the metal jacking point on the frame...

learn from my near death experience, don't skimp on safety.

 

Glad you did not get hurt, could have been worse.

 

I NEVER use the jack that comes with the vehicle. I have a compact floor jack with a removable handle stored in each vehicle because I had a similar experience..

 

i was using a harbor freight 3 ton unit, i didn't think that i needed the hockey puck, as my cheap naive teenage mind told me... it cost me my side trim and nearly my life

 

So you are saying that the floor jack just gave out, or did it stay in its full up position but slipped off the frame? Were you using that as your only source to hold the vehicle up or were you going to place floor stands under the frame? I have never had a floor jack fail in that matter, but I still have my floor stands ready near where they are going to go and get them in place as soon as possible after the car is up off the ground.

I only ask so many questions to keep your brain thinking about the situation to learn from. It is fun to work on cars, but yes, safety is key, don't skimp out on safety items (even the small things like gloves, eye protection when called for, and plenty of light).

Be safe out there.

 

The jack itself stayed in the same position. The jack slipped off the frame, just as I was going to set the tires on blocks to keep it elevated.

 

Glad you did not get hurt and thanks for sharing so we can all learn, I never thought about the importance of that round puck on top of the jack. If I understand correctly the Corvette rolled off the jack or the jack did not catch the frame securely without the puck. I try very hard to never get too comfortable crawling under 3000+ lbs, but I have to work at it. I use 8 jack stands instead of 4 and 4x4's blocks to keep it from rolling.

It only takes a second to "mess" up and it is so easy to do.

 

I'm glad you're ok. I never realized that the puck was so important, even though I kept using it.

 

Even stands are not perfect. I have a friend whose Dad was killed when the stand collapsed. We always had a jack stand, a concrete block and boards AND kept the jack in place when Dad got under the car. And heaven help the person that leaned on the car when he was under it. He passed that right along to me too! Glad you are OK!

 

Glad you are safe and unhurt. I recently posted up something about this very thing - lost a friend and I don't want it to happen to anyone else. Safety first guys - always.

 

Dude, be safe! That's scary stuff...I had my wife's TA come off the stands last August and had I not gotten from the back of it 10 seconds prior I'd have been pinned against the wall and the car. Instead it scuffed the paint and gave me a hell of a dose of reality.

I normally have the car on ramps (all four rims) and then blocks with the ramps if I have to have it higher on the stands. Scares the heck out of me being under a car with stands only so I avoid that anymore.

Glad you are safe. Did it damage the 'glass at all or just screw up the side trim?

Later,

Lee

 

was this car in park if an automatic or in gear if a manual and was the parking brake set and works? when you say "hockey pucks" do you mean a wheel chock?

 

Amen! I do the same thing. When it comes to safety, there's no such thing as too much.

 

 

Close call. Glad you're ok.

Time to invest in a lift?

 

I recommend these every chance I get. If you have space to store them, they're a cheap investment for a lot of use. I made some a couple years back, and I've used them for several different projects.

http://corvettec3.ca/ramps.htm

 

Since I got my first Corvette..which has about 5" or so ground clearance..there's not much I can do beneath the car unless it is raised..

I have good wheel chocks, quality steel jack stands, a good floor jack in good condition..and a work space that is free of all except a talented person to hand me the correct tools when requested..( OR call 9-11 if something goes dreadfully wrong)...

I also have two solid wood jack stands that are 14" diameter on the bottom and taper to 8" on top that are 18" tall..
I think they were mil surp ones..I've had them for years.

I don't trust parking brakes or having the vehicle in gear alone to keep the vehicle from rolling ...

On a humorous note, I completely removed the spare tire carrier and spare and hdw from my '78 because there's no way in 'ell I'm gonna attempt to access the spare maypop unit or use the original jack to change a tire on the roadside..
The jack is set aside also and I use the compartment for small tools that actually CAN be used on the roadside..
I have a sat phone and a AAA card that is good for a 200 mile tow-flatbed haul..

Safety and understanding the hazards of 'stored energy', electrical shock, general PPE for the safe work etc is important to learn and practice.
Many accidents happen to experienced workers who simply get lax/careless or in a hurry...

Other accidents occur by less experienced folks who are not using the correct tool or not using it correctly..or simply don't forsee the unintended consequences of what they are doing..

Working on the old cars is a lot of challenging fun..As we age, we scrape and bruise easier, are not as flexible..nor as strong as we once were..Hopefully we ARE better at planning, preparation and execution of the work than when we were young, impetuous and bulletproof..Jim

 

Ya. I just had my car up on stands. Left the jack under as long as possible and then put the tires under the frame, one on each side while I was under it. Not a fan. As soon as I can afford a quick jack 5000bl I'm getting it.

 

 

The good that comes from a close call is that it serves as a reoccurring reminder of how important taking every possible safety precaution is.