How safe is it to work under a vehicle that is just on axle stands? Would it be better to have some large wooden blocks in addition for the diyer? http://tinyurl.com/qzdehxp
yogibearz,
Sep 2, 6:43am
Good quality stands, no problem. Think about it like this. What was used before hoists? safety stands and creeper boards. Modern techs are spoilt with hoists.
tony9,
Sep 2, 7:05am
Give the vehicle a bloody good shake before you go under.
Wish I was a modern mechanic, at my age I should be spoiled.
gpg58,
Sep 2, 7:05am
Fine if on concrete, but otherwise i would only use with a solid base under them(like a square of plywood or metal plate) as they can sink into gravel/dirt causing them to become unstable.
But also be aware that if you are doing anything that may rock the vehicle quite hard, best to go with plan A.
tintop,
Sep 2, 7:40am
Belt and braces here :)
Axle stands, a bloody good shake, and a few wooden blocks - a bit thicker than my head!.
budgel,
Sep 2, 7:44am
I use axle stands but also leave the jack in position. I have recently bought a pair of ramps which feels a bit more secure.
socram,
Sep 2, 8:18am
I usually leave the removed wheels underneath too! Belt and braces for me generally, even on concrete.
gmphil,
Sep 2, 8:24am
solid ground to start with is the key don't be a Muppet in do grass like me 30 years ago 18 days fighting for my life now still three holes in my chest . I don't use cheap stands or concrete blocks will use huge tree stumps there good if positioned right just sunday was asked same thing by young fellas mate so I went and looked . shook it and it felt like it was guna bailed of . re did it young fella twice my size and he couldn't shift so as post five give it a bloody good shake it u cant move it it sweet .
bwg11,
Sep 2, 9:45am
Me too. There is always a wheel or two in the workshop even if you don't have a removed one. No point in being silly as well as old.
darryl,
Sep 2, 11:17am
Stands with four feet or corners that angle up toward the stand I think are quite safe.
I bought a pair of these, and they scared me enough that I wont use them. Very unstable
I have some of those, as well as the "legged" ones you speak of. Both are 100% fine in my experience. I see no reason why you think they are less stable.
If you're taking wheels off and working on the car, sit them under the door sills. Good back up if anything goes wrong.
morrisman1,
Sep 2, 3:34pm
Im only properly happy under 3-tonne axle stands. They have a good wide base and aren't about to bend and buckle like those ones darryl just posted up.
I always try to think, if theres an earthquake am I a goner? If the answer is yes then the car will get more support or safety.
morrisjvan,
Sep 2, 6:32pm
A friend of mine had one of his cars on stands during the chch earthquake. It fell off. Fortunately he wasn't underneath at the time. If you are under during an earthquake, you will be getting up-close and personal with your under-carriage !
edangus,
Sep 2, 6:40pm
I use 4 tonne ones and leave the jack in place too (just on ordinary cars) been trapped once and was very lucky.
gmphil,
Sep 2, 6:52pm
oh buggar that! that just give me the shits if lived in chch I would hav move or give up hobby as have bein 30 years or more back up in personal with a one tonne ute
darryl,
Sep 2, 8:15pm
Because I put my car up on them and wiggled it. It wiggled a lot.
I then used my others and it was quite stable. I would have thought that was obvious.
morrisjvan,
Sep 2, 9:03pm
It's not just chch that can have an earthquake ! they can happen anywhere.
bjmh,
Sep 3, 8:15am
Quality stands have been good to me since 1967. unlike the 2 tonne rated nylon lifting strap . that broke depositing a 800kg diesel engine onto my left foot from a height of 2 metres. steel caps are not designed for that trauma.
scuba,
Sep 3, 11:34am
I always double or treble if possible- jack, stand, and wheels or wood block underneath. At work i was under a car when an older mechanic misjudged the space next to it. It was on stands and stayed up but boy it rocked plenty. also saw the workshop manager have a jack fail on him- he was very lucky just needed fresh undies. then there's all the stories about hoists- going up or coming down
henderson_guy,
Sep 3, 5:24pm
Then your sling was either not made to standard or was damaged. Synthetic lifting slings are required to have a safety factor of at least 5:1, most are 7:1 or greater. I.e a 2000kg sling will have a breaking strain of at least 10,000kg. Sorry to go OT
bjmh,
Sep 4, 9:30am
yep you are right,it was oil contaminated ,which probably caused it. hindsight is great I now use chains so no more problems. apart from the fact I'm more or less one wheel drive.
skiff1,
Sep 4, 4:26pm
I had a hydraulic hose blow on a skidder blade I was welding once. Holy Sh:7 I got a wee fright there! Wood blocks, more wood blocks, and more, just to be safe.
henderson_guy,
Sep 4, 6:43pm
Sorry to hear mate, could have been so much worse though! And a timely reminder for anyone else using synthetic slings in the workshop. make sure they're in good condition, if not, bin it. Slings are cheap.
mecanix,
Sep 4, 7:03pm
i am a mobile mechanic. i only ever use stands and have never had a problem. mine are the old school wind up ones that i have been using since i was fifteen.
i have had a car dropped on me by a complete idiot mechanic and it is a horrible feeling being able to breathe out and not in but i have full confidence in my stands.
mrfxit,
Sep 4, 7:36pm
Huge difference between tension breaking strain & jolt breaking strain
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