Ways to keep from hitting head on car lift?

[James P Grosso]

Saturday, I was assembling the suspension of my car that was on a 4-Post lift. It was 100 degrees out, and I was getting tired, but almost done with the job when I went to get a cotter pin for the tie rod nut. Walking under the car towards the rear, I ducked to go under the cross bar of the lift, but I either did not duck low, or came up too soon and whacked the top of my head on the lifts crossbar pretty hard. I did not black out, but it staggered me and put me on the ground. Still have a good welt across the top of my head. This doesn’t happen very often to me, maybe second or third time in ten years, but I caught myself good this time.

What precautions do you take when walking under the car lifts?

Topic

[Rob]

a cheap bike helmet…. other then lifting the car up higher there really isnt anything you can do… because you can always trip and hit your head… on the exsost or something… a cheap 10 speed bike helmet would do the trick with other then watching yourself

[James P Grosso]

I was thinking of getting some large foam swimming pool noodles and tape them to the cross bars.
Normally, I am really cautious about ducking under the lift, but I think the heat was getting to me.

[Jason White]

Don’t raise your head unless you can see that the space is clear. Unfortunately just something you have to learn. Pain is a good teacher.

I’ve seen people go to the hospital with severe concussions due to hitting a lift.

[Dave]

Put your free hand on the hoist or lift so you have a physical reference as to how high it is. Take off baseball hats. They often blind you field of view for the lift. Yes you can screw your neck and back up bad from hitting the hoist to hard. Easier to get a hand on it for reference sake. When both hands are full. Duck way more than you would normally. Lastly, slow down and be careful. Sitting home, or in a hospital bed does not pay the bills.

[jerry lee]

quit using the lift and go back to crawling underneath that should make you appreciate a good headache. good luck don’t forget to look up. jerry lee

[Ken]

I now understand why I saw someone duct tapped those foam noodles on the crossbars.

Being 6’4” I’ve had my share of “tall people problems” so I feel for you buddy.

[Christopher Wilson]

I don’t do it in lifts, I’ve caught plow frames though lol. That makes you see stars. Stay ducked down longer than you need to.

[Alexander B]

This is why I detest 4 post lifts, with a passion.

Still hit my head on the arms of a 2 posts sometimes, but at least I can walk back and forth under most of the car without crouching.

[Author]

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