PSA: PLEASE BE CAREFUL! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

LoosBenz · #1 02-23-2012, 03:56 PM

I'm relatively new here, so I'm sure people have posted similar stories here that I haven't seen, but people are still dying. Please be careful when working on your cars. Proper support is essential!!

(Another) Sad Story: Car falls on man: Florida man working on his car in the driveway is crushed by it - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

Biodiesel300TD · #2 02-23-2012, 04:24 PM

It's always good to have reminders about these kinds of things. I've had a couple close calls where a jack or a jack stand has slipped and made the car fall. Fortunately I wasn't under the car when it happened. Always make sure you're using the proper jacks, jack stands and you're putting them in the right places. Avoid things like cinder blocks for support or anything else that can bend, crush, or break. Your life isn't worth it. Often you can get away with it, but that one time that it doesn't work out might be the last.

sixto · #3 02-23-2012, 04:33 PM

On the plus side my neighbor was under his completely off the ground but properly supported Datsun when the Loma Prieta quake hit in '89. Only his nerves and shorts were worse for the wear.

Sixto
87 300D

Can't Know · #4 02-23-2012, 04:38 PM

Hey, Loos. Join the club and add to the existing thread:

OT: but always on topic... secure raised vehicles!

Yours is particularly sad because the guy is described as a mechanic...and if anyone should know better...

But even a casual reading through that thread will give you pause.

Grdenko · #5 02-23-2012, 05:49 PM

My guess is if he was in his driveway then he wasn't on level ground. Jack stands and slopes don't go well together.

TheDon · #6 02-23-2012, 11:17 PM

Whenever I jack my car up I have my jack stands in a strong spot. I also put the jack on the unibody frame rail about a 1/4 from contacting the body. Plus, if I have a tire off, which I usually do I stick it by my head if I am laying under the car working on it.

destroy · #7 02-23-2012, 11:40 PM

My ideal driveway work space has the car sitting on some homemade wooden ramps made from 2x12. Still haven't come up with a design and executed it. Even when doing work under the hood... being a 6'3" construction worker leaves my back very stiff and sore from all the hunching over on my much needed weekends.

whunter · #8 02-24-2012, 12:02 AM

Is worth the effort.

Death while Changing a Tire is common.

Garage fires are common, How to Use a Portable Fire Extinguisher.

Health & Safety

.

mach4 · #9 02-24-2012, 01:01 AM

I don't even feel safe with jack stands. If I'm working under the car I jack it up and put cribs under the wheels. Built a set of 16 so I can get the car up a full 11". Of course we live in earthquake country so even if jack stands were safe, in an earthquake they would have a real chance to topple.

I'll use jack stands for suspension/brake work, but I'm not under the car. Even so I'll generally place a few cribs under the sub-frame just for a little extra insurance.

layback40 · #10 02-24-2012, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mach4

I don't even feel safe with jack stands. If I'm working under the car I jack it up and put cribs under the wheels. Built a set of 16 so I can get the car up a full 11". Of course we live in earthquake country so even if jack stands were safe, in an earthquake they would have a real chance to topple.

I'll use jack stands for suspension/brake work, but I'm not under the car. Even so I'll generally place a few cribs under the sub-frame just for a little extra insurance.

hey Mach,
Next time a big tree goes down, cut your self a few 2' lengths out of a bit of 18" diameter trunk. Thats what we use here. We have several different length sets not just 2'. You can try & shake the car all you want when its on them but it doesnt go any where. I have 4 cut out of willow, nice & light but still more than strong enough.

mach4 · #11 02-24-2012, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layback40

hey Mach,
Next time a big tree goes down, cut your self a few 2' lengths out of a bit of 18" diameter trunk. Thats what we use here. We have several different length sets not just 2'. You can try & shake the car all you want when its on them but it doesnt go any where. I have 4 cut out of willow, nice & light but still more than strong enough.

Here's a picture of the SL on cribs. The nice thing about cribs is that they are modular. If I just need a small lift I can use 1 or 2. And I can lift 3" or 6" at a time. The top crib has 3/4 plywood top and integral chocks.

strelnik · #12 02-24-2012, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mach4

Here's a picture of the SL on cribs. The nice thing about cribs is that they are modular. If I just need a small lift I can use 1 or 2. And I can lift 3" or 6" at a time. The top crib has 3/4 plywood top and integral chocks.

I have decided to use 2x12 boards of progressively longer lengths up to 16' and stack them, then attach them. To use, I would drive up on the boards and lock the brakes.

It's safe: the distance under the car can't change unless there's an earthquake, the cost is low, the whole thing can be taken apart, it's portable and I don't need electricity to use it.

lutzTD · #13 02-24-2012, 12:01 PM

one more safety although sometimes in the way, if you pull off a tire throw it under the car just under the frame, if something decides to let go thats enough space to keep from crushing you

LoosBenz · #14 02-24-2012, 01:06 PM

I posted this not just because I thought it was important, but also because the car was a Mercedes and I initially got a jolt fearing it might be someone who is a member of this forum.

Orv · #15 02-24-2012, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lutzTD

one more safety although sometimes in the way, if you pull off a tire throw it under the car just under the frame, if something decides to let go thats enough space to keep from crushing you

In a similar vein, if I'm doing wheels-off work with the car up on jack stands I'll sometimes put my wheel ramps under it in an out-of-the-way spot, so they'll catch the chassis if a jack stand fails.