To anyone who works on their car, Just something to think about Options

[ILuvMyCelica95]

I'm only writing this so people think twice before working on a car in haste.

On Friday a very close family friend was working on the u-joint of his truck. From what I understand the car was on ramps. The car rolled onto him killing him.

Not only did he lose his life but he has 2 daughters and his wife is 7 months pregnant with his first son.

All I am saying is think twice before you get under your car. MAKE SURE that everything is secure. I know I don't have to say any of this and I'm sure people are reading this thinking "That will never happen to me" or "I've been working on my car for years and this hasn't happened" This guy was always working on his car. He knew what he was doing. So it CAN happen.

I know I myself have done stupid things when I'm in a rush.


Note: Please do not make comments about how this was stupid or any negative ****. I am not in the mood for it and If I see it I will just have a mod delete it. Just be respectful; If you have nothing nice to say please don't say anything.

[SeverX13]

Sorry to hear about your friend


i know i always get freaked b4 goin under a car, more so if i didnt secure it and someone else did

[playr158]

damn Tina, I'm really sorry to hear this.
Its always a thought that crosses the back of my mind when I get under a car....lately I've learned to hate ramps.

my condolences.

[ILuvMyCelica95]

Thank you.

I hate ramps too. My dad uses them on his truck and my moms SUV. I really hate when he does and will not leave the garage when he uses them.

I use heavy duty jack stands and usually put an extra set behind those just in case something goes wrong....but like i said i've been careless when I'm in a rush letting just the jack support the car while i check under for something fast. I'll never do that again.

[96bluevert]

Sorry about you're friend.

I definately agree, these machines are a few thousand pounds and something can easily go wrong if you don't take the right precautions. Even w/ everything secured, I am still nervous to get under the car sometimes.

[Fate]

very sorry for your loss and my prayers go out to the family.

when i jack up my car i use heavy duty stands along with the jack still under the car (assuming it's not in the way). Sometimes i even put tires(or wood blocks) in the middle sections of the car incase the stands give out. it's better to have too much support holding the car up then not enough.

[njccmd2002]

very sorry for your loss and my prayers go out to the family.

when i jack up my car i use heavy duty stands along with the jack still under the car (assuming it's not in the way). Sometimes i even put tires(or wood blocks) in the middle sections of the car incase the stands give out. it's better to have too much support holding the car up then not enough.

yup, thats how i did it. when i dropped the tranny: two 2 1/2 tons jack stands. one 5 ton supporting the engine in addition to two 2x16 stapled together holding the engine from the top.

you can never be too careful. sorry for your loss. I think ramps should not be sold at all. too dangerous...

[lagos]

Oh man, thats terrible. Poor guy.
There was a similar story on the news a few weeks ago. Some guy went to the junk yard to pull a part off of a car. He got under the car with only a jack, and the jack slipped and the car fell on top of him. He managed to get this cell phone and call 911. It took the police a while to try to locate him in the yard, but they did and he ended up being rescued and made a full recovery (lucky guy).

Never get under your car unless its properly secured with jackstands. Make sure to place them in the correct location too. They should go on the left and right side of the frame rail as indicated in the owners manual. Ive seen a lot of people use them improperly under the cross member and other unsafe locations where they could slip.

[snapshotgt]

Sorry to hear this Tina, my prayer go out for your friend.

[zachattack15]

Im so glad I have a lift to work on. If you do enough work on your car id suggest getting one. I have been stuck under a 01 celica before because my friend decided to not put the ebrake on. Luckily I had 5 big dudes with me and they lifted the car off me. Scared me to death.

[Rayme]

That's real sad, just a reminder to always be safe and have backups.

Myself used big wood blocks in addition to jack stand, I'm a sissy.

My condolence.

[cjh4l22]

my condolences...

[presure2]

I'm only writing this so people think twice before working on a car in haste.

On Friday a very close family friend was working on the u-joint of his truck. From what I understand the car was on ramps. The car rolled onto him killing him.

Not only did he lose his life but he has 2 daughters and his wife is 7 months pregnant with his first son.

All I am saying is think twice before you get under your car. MAKE SURE that everything is secure. I know I don't have to say any of this and I'm sure people are reading this thinking "That will never happen to me" or "I've been working on my car for years and this hasn't happened" This guy was always working on his car. He knew what he was doing. So it CAN happen.

I know I myself have done stupid things when I'm in a rush.


Note: Please do not make comments about how this was stupid or any negative ****. I am not in the mood for it and If I see it I will just have a mod delete it. Just be respectful; If you have nothing nice to say please don't say anything.

that is a sad story tina, that sounds all to familiar to me.

a friend of my cousin joe and i passed a few years back in much the same fasion, working on the driveshaft of his van in his driveway on ramps.
he was a BIG dude...6'6"+ 350+ lbs.
he disconnected the driveshaft, and the van rolled off the ramps, onto him.
his mom found him several hrs later.
not the way ANY mom should ever see one of her children.
saftey first, people.
its "sounds" silly, but it really is true.

sorry for your loss tina.

[NaderG]

I am sorry for your loss , hope his family is doing allright.

- and thanks for the warnings because i usually get under the car for oil changes with it only being lifted by the stock jack , thinking that i am safe since i am only extending my arm under there and my head is not that much underneath the car. But now that i read this , i can imagine a whole bunch of things that can go wrong !

[Batman722]

I'm sorry for the loss of your friend Tina, this will make me think twice about being in that situation from this point on.

[Celicav]

SO sorry to hear this!

And for my contribution, I always use the two jack stands at the jacking points on either side (even for the quick oil change), THEN I extend the spare tire jack and my store-bought jack on either side and right next to the jack stands for that extra assurance. Now I am thinking about getting wood blocks now too!

Also, test the parking brake engagement with the car in neutral to be extra sure (try to jerk the car back and forth), then put the car in gear (manuall) or Park (auto).

Thanks for sharing...this only helps us be more aware of our safety!

[xs94st]

my condolences as i too have had someone i know die because of this simple mistake.

sorry bout your friend tina

[ILuvMyCelica95]

Thank you everyone for your condolences.

It's a very sad situation that I hope no one has to go through.

I just hope it makes people really think before the get under their car. Esp to the new people/younger crowd. Make sure you KNOW what you are doing. Make sure you have the car supported correctly and in the right places. If you aren't sure check your manual and if you ever need help or have a question PM someone. PM me i'll take a picture for you; just be safe. Your life is more important.

This post has been edited by ILuvMyCelica95: Mar 24, 2008 - 5:54 PM

[creis]

I've verry sorry to here about your friend tina, I wish the family and friends my very best in the difficult times ahead.

I have made some poor choices when working on cars as far as safty goes, although I'm far more wise about it now then I have been in the past. I could use this as an extra reminder I will deffanitly keep this in mind when working on my cars.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Always avoid using the factory jack when lifing you car, I've had my stock celica jack collapse when in use and my friends stock ZX2 jack did the same. Its only intended for getting the car high enough to change the tire quick. not for supporting it while working underneeth.

[jt_3212]

i'm really sorry to hear about this. my dad lost his cousin this same way. i knew how crushed he was, i'm very sorry.