Working UNDER your car. (aka, do you really trust your jack stands?)

[twinrider1]

I'm fine being partially under my Durango. I've replaced sensors and shocks, and I've done plenty of work on the side of, and on top of, my truck.
But I need to replace the exhaust Y-pipe and I just don't feel comfortable getting completely underneath.
I feel silly paying a shop to attach 4 bolts and a few clamps.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

I slide the wheels/tires underneath to where even if the jackstands failed the car would land on the wheels instead of crushing me.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I have my wife and kid do all the work under the car. That way if anything happens I'll be safe.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I try to have a backup if there is room either the jack or another pair of jackstands to catch it if it falls.

 

[JCH13]

Wheels/Tires are not a bad idea.

I'm a huge fan of real cribbing, i.e. 4x4s and 6x6s stacked up. I also got double-locking jack-stands.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

My experience is that jackstands start to tilt and then crumple at the base, so the double locking type won't help that sort of failure although those are very nice stands.

Jackstands should never have 'side load' on them. Sometimes when you jack up one side, put the stand underneath, then jack up the other side it basically applies lateral forces across the stand, making it want to tilt.

I've gotten to where once I get the car in the air, I then lift it a bit at each corner to relieve any lateral pressure. I usually have to slide the stand ~1" or so.

 

[JCH13]

My experience is that jackstands start to tilt and then crumple at the base, so the double locking type won't help that sort of failure although those are very nice stands.

Jackstands should never have 'side load' on them. Sometimes when you jack up one side, put the stand underneath, then jack up the other side it basically applies lateral forces across the stand, making it want to tilt.

I've gotten to where once I get the car in the air, I then lift it a bit at each corner to relieve any lateral pressure. I usually have to slide the stand ~1" or so.

I have noticed this too, one time to the point where the jack stands were rocked 1-2" off the ground D:

Big improvements came from two things: getting a jack that rolls really easily on the surface I was jacking from and aligning the jack perpendicular to the side of the car. If the jack is not allowed to roll smoothly in a direction perpendicular to the car it will rock the stands exactly as you describe because jacks generally pull/push the car as they are lifted/lowered.

 

[CraigRT]

I have no problems at all working under my car, I do it whenever needed.

 

[Mxylplyx]

I slide the wheels/tires underneath to where even if the jackstands failed the car would land on the wheels instead of crushing me.

This

 

[Don Karnage]

I use ramps only.

 

[brainhulk]

I use ramps underneath the wheels, extra wheels under the body, and a hydraulic jack underneath also if there's room. LoL

 

[Doppel]

I don't particularly enjoy it. If I need to I will also use the jack itself as a back up. Jacks are not supposed to hold the weight of the car, but of course they do and mine does for long periods of time, so I have it there in case something happens to the jack stands. There's still nothing at all fun about it, knowing that if the car crashes down you ARE fvcked and instantly as well.

 

[vshah]

if I ever build a house i'm going to make a garage with a pit/stairs between the wheels.

 

[skyking]

The wheel/tire thing. Good jack stands. Leave jack up there almost in contact.

 

[cbrsurfr]

I use multiple methods since I'm super paranoid. I leave the jack under whatever end I'm working on, plus use stands (high quality locking), plus shove tires under the sides just in case the first two fail (jack loses pressure, stands slip out, etc). Sometimes I mix ramps in there as well.

I will never again use a cheap jack. Right now I'm using a $350 craftsman. I've had $100 and less jacks fail (which is what makes me so paranoid).

If I'm going to die in a car related accident I'd rather be piloting it than crushed by it.

 

[thomsbrain]

I just use a couple of cinderblocks I found in the backyard when I moved in. My driveway is at a super steep angle so stands make the car slide off.


*KIDDING!!!!!!*DO NOT ATTEMPT*

 

[herm0016]

I just use a couple of cinderblocks I found in the backyard when I moved in. My driveway is at a super steep angle so stands make the car slide off.


*KIDDING!!!!!!*DO NOT ATTEMPT*

yea... dangerous to even post this!


i just use my jack and have 2 stands underneath for backup. if the wheel and tire is off i also slide that under. I have no problem getting right under there.

 

[Bignate603]

If it's one of the jeeps I don't need a jack unless I've got a wheel off. If I do need to have it on stands I stack cinderblocks or stick a wheel under something that would prevent it from falling on me if it came down.

 

[jlee]

Jack + jack stands..just make sure the stands are square under the car. Give it a shove..if nothing moves, I'm fine with it. Unless it's in the way, I'll leave the jack under the car with just a little pressure on it as well.

 

[Ronstang]

Don't buy cheap shitty jack stands. I have good ones. About 5 sets. I have one of my cars completely off the ground right now about 18 inches off the floor. I have no problem being under a car for hours if need be. I know how to do it safely and I have good equipment.

 

[Squisher]

If you're worried, push sideways as hard as you can from all four directions. Feel free to get a running start. If you can move a car or truck you're doing it wrong.

 

[Doppel]

If you're worried, push sideways as hard as you can from all four directions. Feel free to get a running start. If you can move a car or truck you're doing it wrong.

And if it falls off you get to enjoy trying to jack the car up without a good lift point D:

 

[FuzzyDunlop]

I have no problem getting underneath with only jack stands. I figure if I can push against the car and it barely moves then it should be safe to get underneath because there is nothing in my garage that will move that car as much as I could.
Also, I dont have the worry of earthquakes where I live. If I did, Id FOR SURE have some sort of back up - be it tires or blocks. But shit... if your under a car and an earthquake happens youre probably effed anyways.

 

[skyking]

And if it falls off you get to enjoy trying to jack the car up without a good lift point D:

I doobie leave he was suggesting this test when the wheels are still on the car :awe:

 

[foghorn67]

Jack + jack stands..just make sure the stands are square under the car. Give it a shove..if nothing moves, I'm fine with it. Unless it's in the way, I'll leave the jack under the car with just a little pressure on it as well.

This.