JACKING VEHICLES & RESTING THEM ON WOOD BLOCKS

[drthrift035]

I REALLY HATE DEALING WITH JACK STANDS IN FACT I DON’T TRUST THEM. WHAT I DO IS USE THE FLOOR JACK TO LIFT THE VEHICLE. THEN I PLACE STACKED WOOD UNDER IT AND LOWER THE VEHICLE DOWN ON IT. I ALSO USE BACK UP FLOOR JACK AS WELL JUST IN CASE.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ?

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[EricTheCarGuy]

[quote=”W00DBar0n” post=44555][quote=”EricTheCarGuy” post=44494]DO NOT USE WOOD BLOCKS, CINDER BLOCKS, OR ANY OTHER ITEM THAT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO HOLD THE WEIGHT OF THE VEHICLE. IF YOU DO YOU ARE RISKING SERIOUS INJURY OR YOUR LIFE.

Use jack stands. Get over it.[/quote]

I think it rather funny you say this, because i can agree with the ideal, but disagree in practice.

I’ve seen rated jack stands fail and seen wood fail. The jack stand was sudden and scary as hell and lots of damage to the ground and machine(glad no one was near it) but when the wood failed it crushed 1 1/2 inches and tilted the machine. No damage to anything.

But in the trade i work in we are taught in school how to use wood blocking, and that it must be bumped tested, and signed off on but a leadhand, supervisor or safety officer.

So i guess what i am getting at is, if you do not know what you are doing when it comes to this, DON’T EVEN ATTEMPT IT![/quote]

I don’t doubt you but I’m surprised to hear that wood has been used to support heavy things. I suppose if it’s done safely under the conditions you describe but for the DIY in their garage or driveway I don’t think this would be a good practice and personally I’d rather take my chances with a jack stand than with a block of wood any day. I’ve known of people that were killed as a result of not supporting a vehicle properly and I’d hate to pass along any advice that would lead to such an unfortunate occurrence.

Thanks for your input.

[Author]

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