Posting this as a warning/PSA for other members.

I almost lost the tip of my finger, working on my car...


We had just installed the lift kit onto my ML, and were trying to get the rear driver-side lower control arm to line back up with the hole to insert the bolt. I had stuck my finger through the hole, into the bushing to help try to line it back up.The control arm was being "loaded" by a floor jack that was underneath it, and there was a screwdriver holding the other side of the bushing lined up.

I don't recall exactly what happened, but the jack/bushing had shifting, pinching the tip of my finger. Events following that are a bit blurry, but I do recall swearing quite a bit, and a friend running over and moving the floor-jack, releasing my finger.

About 3/4 of the tip of my finger had been sliced clean through (nail was cut clean in half), and was folded over to the side that had not been cut, and was hanging off....

Went to see the doctor, who did his thing (cleaned, bandaged, etc). It’s been a few weeks since this has happened, and it has mostly healed. I am starting to regain feeling in the tip of my finger, and the nail is starting to regrow… Should be back to normal in another month or two…. (But cannot really use my hand until then…. )

So just as a PSA – watch where you stick your fingers….. Don’t make the mistake I did. Keep a center punch/screw driver around to help with stuff like this. Might just save your finger!

Is there any objection for posting a picture of the aftermath? I have a few, and it might reinforce this PSA.

-J

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-Justin

91 560 SEC AMG - other dogs dd
01 Honda S2000 - dogs dd
07 MB ML320 CDI - dd
16 Lexus IS250 - wifes dd

it's automatic.

If you cut off the tip of your finger, how would you be able to pick out really deep boogers out of your nose? Glad to hear you're ok my man.

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For the Saved, this world is the worst it will ever get.
For the unSaved, this world is the best it will ever get.

Clk's Ebay Stuff BUY SOMETHING NOW!!!

Glad you're okay, but...post as NSFL...as in Not-Safe-For-Lunch!

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2009 ML350 (106K) - Family vehicle
2001 CLK430 Cabriolet (80K) - Wife's car
2005 BMW 645CI (138K) - My daily driver
2016 Mustang (32K) - Daughter's car

Yikes!

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

no wonder I haven't seen him in real life in a few weeks. hes full of boogers!

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Better make up a better, less clumsy story. Chicks dig scars

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

Oh jeezuz... glad you're OK. That was a close one.

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You don't need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows - Robert A. Zimmerman

That's why I keep both hands in the rotation.

Oh yeah, glad to hear you're ok. Hopefully the tip will heal completely.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

dang dude.

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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

have you tried soakin' it in cider


doesn't really help the finger, but she loves it!

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On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif

That's why you have so many fingers. I lost the last joint of my left ring finger 35 years ago. I don't remember it hurting, just stared at it kinda dumbly while it gouted blood. Turns out I didn't really need it after all.

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You're a daisy if you do.
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84 Euro 240D 4spd. 220.5k sold
04 Honda Element AWD
1985 F150 XLT 4x4, 351W with 270k miles, hay hauler
1997 Suzuki Sidekick 4x4
1993 Toyota 4wd Pickup 226K and counting

Glad they saved it. i cut the tip off my left thumb in college cutting cardboard with an exacto knife. The doctor in the emergency room sewed it back on.

About four years later cut the same thumb to the bone just behind the first knuckle. it is still 99.5% usable with slight loss of feeling in the thumb tip.

I bet crushing it like you did hurt a lot more!

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Let's hope is heals properly, those kind of cuts can get real nasty if they aren't cleaned properly.

Sounds like you got a bit luckier than me. I smashed my middle finger 20 years ago on my right hand in a die when the brakes on the crane gave way...smashing it with the weight of 1900 pounds between two blocks of steel with a gap of 0.090. When it hit, blood shot out, making it look like I smashed a blood filled tick! The ex-ray looked like broken glass, and they weren't sure if it could be saved. They ended up pinning it and hoping for the best. I still don't have full mobility of it, and it's always getting in my way, but i still have it.

Good luck and speedy recovery.

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles

I'm pretty sure that it's a requirement for all farmers/ranchers to lop off at least the last joint of a finger. Of the ones I deal with regularly, full-fingered ones are the exception!

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

I was told during an interview with a potential employer..."You have all of your fingers?? You can't trust a toolmaker who has all of his fingers...the position's been filled."

I showed the guy my favorite finger, my middle one, and thanked him for wasting my time...he called my house before I got back from the interview with a job offer. LOL I worked for that old guy for 8 years...and still have all of my fingers!!

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1987 560SL
85,000 miles