I bet the wood would not split if you were to drive some screws into it, about two on each of four sides, and then wrap it all up in genuine Mercedes Brand Duct tape and attach it to the jackstands. It might even stop making unsteady creaking sounds.

I have been known to use FOUR jackstands, to avoid the chest crushing problem.

One pair is black and has a flat head with a sort of corrugated head. I got them in a yard sale for $5.00. The other pair is red and cost $7.00 in a different yard sale. I have a heavy pair of wood blocks I paid a buck for as possible back-up stands. They have showed no signs of splitting in the past ten years. I also have a formerly red set of ramps, that set me back $4.00, plus a half a buck for half a can of aluminum spraypaint.

Both pairs of my jackstands claim to be good for up to 3000 lbs each, and my car weighs 3600, so I use two and I can't see how there would be a problem.

Of course, I realize that this disqualifies me from the DIY Concours d'Elegance at Pebble Beach, perhaps forever.

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Semibodacious Transmogrifications a Specialty

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo sedan 171K (Rudolf)
1985 300D Turbo TD Wagon 219K (Remuda)

"Time flies like and arrow, yet fruit flies like a banana"
---Marx (Groucho)