Came within 2 seconds of dying!

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DurocShark

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
15,708
5
56
I was working on the rear brakes on my 73 VW bus when it rocked off the jack and jackstand. :Q

I had just pulled my head out of the wheel well to reach for a pair of pliers when the bus decided to rock itself off the jack and jackstand (both at the same point under the chassis). I managed to pull my legs out just in time to keep from having them crushed.

A bus with full camper gear weighs 3500 lbs. That would have snapped my spine and crushed my skull if I hadn't pulled my head out just in time!

I think if I had placed another jackstand under the front jack point as well, it would have been more stable. I did have blocks front/back of both drivers side wheels.

I can't figure out exactly why it rocked off like that. I wasn't touching it at the time, and there was no wind or anything. I can't help but wonder if it's related to Christine! :Q

I'm on the downer side of the adrenaline rush from the brush with death and really need a beer... heh
 
A

Atomicus

Banned
May 20, 2004
5,192
0
0
You disturbed death's master plan... better go talk to Peter Griffin to understand how to deal with Mr. Death
 
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tk149

Diamond Member
Apr 3, 2002
7,253
1
0
Would that be your 1973 VW Camper Bus for sale?

No way am I buying that death machine! :p

Glad to hear you're alright, though.:beer:
 
K

Kipper

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2000
7,366
0
0
Originally posted by: DurocShark
I was working on the rear brakes on my 73 VW bus when it rocked off the jack and jackstand. :Q

I had just pulled my head out of the wheel well to reach for a pair of pliers when the bus decided to rock itself off the jack and jackstand (both at the same point under the chassis). I managed to pull my legs out just in time to keep from having them crushed.

A bus with full camper gear weighs 3500 lbs. That would have snapped my spine and crushed my skull if I hadn't pulled my head out just in time!

I think if I had placed another jackstand under the front jack point as well, it would have been more stable. I did have blocks front/back of both drivers side wheels.

I can't figure out exactly why it rocked off like that. I wasn't touching it at the time, and there was no wind or anything. I can't help but wonder if it's related to Christine! :Q

I'm on the downer side of the adrenaline rush from the brush with death and really need a beer... heh
Click to expand...

Your jack probably slipped. This is why they say not to use the jack alone when doing a repair job, but only use it to lift the car.

Glad you're ok, though.
 
EvilYoda

EvilYoda

Lifer
Apr 1, 2001
21,198
9
81
man...that's like movie-quality stuff :p

And I'd say to go buy a lotto ticket...but some bastard won it already.
 
J

jagec

Lifer
Apr 30, 2004
24,442
6
81
yeah, I use two jackstands, plus I keep the jack touching the car while I'm working. Both jackstands AND the jack have to fail before the car falls...plus, when I'm done the jack is already in position and most of the way jacked up to remove the stands.
 
D

DurocShark

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
15,708
5
56
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Never, never, never use a jack to support a car. Never.

ZV
Click to expand...

Guys: It was a JACKSTAND & JACK together. I jacked up the bus, slipped the 4 point jackstand underneath, then lowered the jack until the bus was resting on the stand. Both were left in place.

I've worked on cars for years and never had a car fall off a jackstand. That was seriously scary.
 
R

RagingBITCH

Lifer
Sep 27, 2003
17,618
2
76
There's usually jack points for jack stands am I correct? Like where are you supposed to put jack stands normally?
 
D

DurocShark

Lifer
Apr 18, 2001
15,708
5
56
Originally posted by: RagingBITCH
There's usually jack points for jack stands am I correct? Like where are you supposed to put jack stands normally?
Click to expand...

Anywhere under the frame is supposed to be OK, but I used the jack point in this case, since it's designed to hold the weight of the bus.
 
Squisher

Squisher

Lifer
Aug 17, 2000
21,204
66
91
I don't see how any vehicle can fall off a jackstand. You must have had most of the weight still on the jack.

After I get something up on a stand I usually try to push it off just to check it. They always seem like I'm pushing on a rock.
 
waggy

waggy

No Lifer
Dec 14, 2000
68,143
10
81
Originally posted by: DurocShark
Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Never, never, never use a jack to support a car. Never.

ZV
Click to expand...

Guys: It was a JACKSTAND & JACK together. I jacked up the bus, slipped the 4 point jackstand underneath, then lowered the jack until the bus was resting on the stand. Both were left in place.

I've worked on cars for years and never had a car fall off a jackstand. That was seriously scary.
Click to expand...

wow.

thats why i also use thing under my tire to keep it from moving (chocks?). I had my nissan 260Z do that while i was getting a tool.
 
JulesMaximus

JulesMaximus

No Lifer
Jul 3, 2003
74,580
982
126
Originally posted by: jagec
yeah, I use two jackstands, plus I keep the jack touching the car while I'm working. Both jackstands AND the jack have to fail before the car falls...plus, when I'm done the jack is already in position and most of the way jacked up to remove the stands.
Click to expand...

This is what I do also when working under a car. The possibility of the car falling on me is of paramount concern to me so before I go under there I'm thinking of how it could possibly fall on me.
 
T

thomsbrain

Lifer
Dec 4, 2001
18,148
1
0
if you're gonna stick your head under the car, you probably ought to get some of those little ramps.
 
OrganizedChaos

OrganizedChaos

Diamond Member
Apr 21, 2002
4,524
0
0
did you check to see if a spring perch or something snapped? have never even seen a VW bus in person so have no idea what the underside looks like. could something in the bus have fallen over and caused the weight to shift? did the jsckstands have those little tabs to keep things from sliding off? did you have the safety/key(or whatever your particular jackstand has) engaged? while reaching over your leg could have bumped the lever or something. have any enemies? perhaps an angry kitty?

you know have an excuse to buy a 4-post lift!!!!
 
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