jack stands
Posting Legend
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,255
Likes: 37
jack stands
Don't push on it if you are using those cheapo jack stands. They will fold like wet cardboard. Even the big HD jobs with cast iron extensions can fold if side loaded. Bigger jack stands with higher weight ratings will usually go higher and have wider bases also. Wheels and rims won't fold unless they are on way toooo soft ground. Wheels with well supported timbers usually work well. Nice big fully inflated swampers make excellent safety devices to keep that truck or axle from hitting the ground. A nice chunk of timber or a bunch of 2x4's nailed together that fits fairly well under a ramp is good insurance. Always chock the wheels.
Most of you guys know about OSHA don't you? What does OSHA have to say about the number of people that must be in a work area? There are reasons for some of those rules. NEVER WORK ALONE! Besides, moral support and supervision is always needed on a project. Somebody has to hold down the lid on the cooler while you are under the truck.
over!
Most of you guys know about OSHA don't you? What does OSHA have to say about the number of people that must be in a work area? There are reasons for some of those rules. NEVER WORK ALONE! Besides, moral support and supervision is always needed on a project. Somebody has to hold down the lid on the cooler while you are under the truck.
over!
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
jack stands
in 1990 i was in my garage working under my truck and was using just a jack to hold it up,figured i was safe enough chaulked the rears and had the parking brake on as i wrenched on the rear u-joint i kept hearing a little hissing sound then a loud POPSQUEELANDBOOM! luckly the front tires were still on and i was near enough to the back that i wasnt hurt except for the ringing in my ears and hydraulic fluid in my hair.the jacks ram tube had a leak that i never saw and let go it was rated for more then enough,but was an old cheap jack.the truck was fine and so was i,but for years i had a hard time getting under anything on a jack even with stands.id scramble out anytime i heard any sound.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 387
Likes: 0
From: MCBH Kaneohe Bay, HI
jack stands
How bout another close call? Me and the bossman were doin a clutch job on a Mack and while we were pulling the tranny backwards to get at the clutchplates, one of the mounting ears caught on the frame and over it went. I was under the truck on a creeper and i seen it catch and seen it start to move and I swear i aint never rolled so fast on a creeper before. Knowin my luck, it rolled off the tranny jack on my side of the truck and missed my left leg by about 10 inches. Those darn Mack trannies weigh a good 1800-2000 pounds and when it went, it left a good dent in the concrete and a small crack. The tranny jack shot out from under the truck about 4 feet. Just another reason to always think safety first and what could possibly happen while yer under a car or truck.
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,217
Likes: 0
From: Yelm Washington usa
jack stands
I grew up on the family farm with all kinds of equiptment from td-9 cats to class 8 trucks to lawn morwers. I have found that the ones that got me were the little ones because you don't think they can get you. the riding lawn mower is light and can be lifted easily right? It also moves off of whatever it is on easily while pulling a tight bolt etc. the most dangerouse gun is the empty one because you arn't careful with it. All of us should error on the side of caution.
dj
dj
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
Likes: 4
jack stands
This is completely off the subject of jack stands(which is a good one
But I REALLY appreciate your signoff there and it's worth saying again, especially given what we may be entering really soon given the idoits in power in some other countries...
Land of the free,
BECAUSE of the brave !!!
How true! and thanks for reminding us!
And don't they know they are doing EXACTLY what the Bible predicted 2000 years ago??? Can't they be free thinkers and not fall into that trap?
THAT'S another subject - isn't it???
But I REALLY appreciate your signoff there and it's worth saying again, especially given what we may be entering really soon given the idoits in power in some other countries...
Land of the free,
BECAUSE of the brave !!!
How true! and thanks for reminding us!
And don't they know they are doing EXACTLY what the Bible predicted 2000 years ago??? Can't they be free thinkers and not fall into that trap?
THAT'S another subject - isn't it???
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: northwest ohio
jack stands
when i was restoring my truck last winter it was on jackstands and i removed the bed. later I was detailing the engine bay when i put my bodyweight on the front of the truck. It tietered in the front 2 stands slid down the stands till the brake rotors hit the floor and just stopped there. just then my wife walked into the garage and saw the look on my face. I consider myself real lucky.
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Tuned
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 357
Likes: 11
From: Winnipeg Manitoba CANADA
jack stands
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 16-Oct-02 AT 11:48 PM (EST)]I was under my truck tonight. I had the hydralic jack and a jackstand
under the truck. The drivers side rear tire was off the truck. I had my chest right under the differential such that my chest was touching the diff. and there was no room left. If I had just one jack there and it failed, I would not be writing this.
Jim
CYWG
77 F150
under the truck. The drivers side rear tire was off the truck. I had my chest right under the differential such that my chest was touching the diff. and there was no room left. If I had just one jack there and it failed, I would not be writing this.
Jim
CYWG
77 F150
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 85
Likes: 0
jack stands
I got a 2 1/2 ton floor jack /dual Stand/Crawler combo from Advance Auto for working on my truck. 2 Jack stands and the jack at any jack point whil I am unber this beast. My skinny butt don't need to be squished any skinnier.
Came in really handy during the tranny swap. Used the stands and bits of 2x12 to balance the tranny on while using the jack to lift it up into position.
I also have a set of 6000 pound ramps to use as well for longer duration (I.E.overnight) work.
Came in really handy during the tranny swap. Used the stands and bits of 2x12 to balance the tranny on while using the jack to lift it up into position.
I also have a set of 6000 pound ramps to use as well for longer duration (I.E.overnight) work.
New User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Texas
jack stands
suggestion: go by a steel distributor that sells I-breams or wideflange beams. Go back to the warehouse or the shipping dept. Ask if you can buy or have a few cut drops (i.e. 12" long) of the W10"x22# on up / 10 x 25# + or W12"x22# on up / 12x31# size beams (don't get too greedy as they will eventually recoup some money from the scraps). Put these down as extra insurance. I would venture to say that they are more than adequate for any Class 1-5 truck.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 352
Likes: 0
From: Kansas, USA
jack stands
If you have tried to buy new jack stands recently, all you can find (like so much other automotive products) are "made in China" stuff from all of the vendors. A 6 ton set will cost from $20 to $40 bucks, all made by the same guy in China. The only other option that I,ve found is USA "Lincoln" at a rediculous price...even their "Guardian" Shade Tree model is too much. 
New User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Green River USA
jack stands
I used to be a Paramedic, I have been to 3 deaths and many injuries from cinder blocks giving way with guys under them. And 1 more death from a guy working under a vehicle with only a jack holding it up. This is NO place to save money. Either use a good jack and heavy duty jack stands or have someone else do the work for you. That way you will still be around for your family. It is a terrible thing to watch a kid looking at her dad squashed under a vehicle let alone having to pull him out and take him away.
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