I have the same feeling about getting under a car. Since most cars are more than
I can bench press, I'm pretty cautious. After I get the car up in the air, I
check all jackstands to make sure they are solidly on the ground on all legs.
Then I give the car a good shake (they'll usually move some, but not too much).
I also leave the floor jack under the car as a backup "just in case."
BTW, another tip: when you jack up the front, keep the hand brake on and let the
floor jack "walk" back as the car goes up. Then release the hand brake before
you jack up the rear. When the rear end droops, it tightens up the handbrake
cable and can make it difficult to release. As you jack up the rear, make sure
the jack "walks" forward. If it doesn't, it usually means that your front
jackstands are tipping back towards you - not a good thing!
Gordon Glasgow
Renton, WA
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net
> [mailto:owner-datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net]On Behalf Of O'Farrell,
> Fergus
> Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2001 10:21 AM
> To: 'datsun-roadsters@autox.team.net'
> Subject: kim's back, jackstands
>
>
> Welcome back, Kim.
> I'm with Gordon, the higher the better. One thing that gives me the
> willie's about it being so high is wrenching on stuck bolts and the
> capability of getting it to tip over, which would be no bueno. (also a
> concern when lying on your back underneath in earthquake country) From my
> old VW days, I 'appropriated' a railroad tie,(~18" x 18") and cut it into 2
> foot lengths with a chain saw. Then it seemed to have a safer footing, no
> matter how hard I was tugging. I guess this became more of a concern
> recently because I bought one of those cheapo $18 hydraulic jacks, and found
> that the rough pavement in my alley is so coarse that instead of the wheels
> tracking underneath when I jacked my truck, the hoist pad (cheapo ones only
> 2" diameter, instead of 4") slipped on the smooth frame, until 'whammo' down
> it came. Luckily I had not removed the wheel, and it didn't catch on
> anything, so it just bounced. Sheepish lesson learned.
> Fergus O, HB, CA
>
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