Safety of Jack Stands

[Cooper]

I have always used vehicle RAMPS to get under my car and never used the stands however I now have two sets [4] x 3t stands and hydraulic jack.

I would like to know how safe are the stands [from slipping] when placed under the proper jack points.
Are there other areas under the Z3 that are just as good or safer to support the car?
Should I use some sort of anti-slip device on the top of the stands?
How hard can you mess around in the car before you pose a danger i.e start the car, pull out the dash, etc?

People often say, 'use common sense' but with safety there is no second chance when you are under the car and it collapses. I have no experience with this so I am very nervous. Thanks.

Cooper

 

[Jack Ratt]

Your car will be a lot more stable on 4 x axle stands. You can pull and push without too much bother. I never get under my car when it's just supported on a jack.
Ramps are ok too, as long as the car is on the top of the ramp.

If you've got one end of the car on ramps, chock the wheels at the other end. You will be earthquake proof then.

Never, ever work under a car that is just supported with a jack, no matter how good you think it is.

 

[GazHyde]

I certainly felt safe while Rosie was on axle stands getting the rear sub frame work done. I'm a little claustrophobic which kinds of makes me a little more panicky with crawling under cars.

I think the more difficult part is getting the car up in the air, rather than it balancing on the stands or falling off...

 

[jonco]

There are a number of places you can put them - it depends on what job you are doing and access required. You need an equal distribution and spread of load. I use suspension arm points for most jobs - couple of examples in attached pics. You don't need anti-slip on top but may need some load plates underneath if the ground surface is not sound.

If you have the wheels off and want `belt and braces' - then slide the wheels under the sills. Ok if the car falls you will damage the wheels but better than your head!

 

[TaffZee]

Always better to be safe than sorry, the problem with axle stands that are only as good as the ground they stand on, using them on concrete is fine but they can and will sink into tarmac and any other soft material. My tip get some 6"x2" timber and cut it into 6x6 squares these can then be used to support the car or have them under the car as a secondary precation if the stands do fail.

 

[Cooper]

I am building a 12m x 6m concrete floored garage at the moment so I am covered as far as stability is concerned. I like the idea of secondary support but in many pix on the internet it is rare to see others doing it! Still, I am cautious. Worst case scenario I think I will place some solid concrete blocks under the sills with some wood on them for damage control.

 

[TaffZee]

Better to be safe than sorry:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EB02NUUvgc

 

[hard top]

Better to be safe than sorry:

And that was just fitting one wheel, imagine if you were under the car!!!......

 

[Brian4]

As all have said axle stands are only as good as what they are sat on so good floor and I use the suspension points to lift the car and the put the axle stand under the jack points or where the front control arm bolts to the chassis rails.
Also if lifting the car to the full height of the axle stands I do it in stages as I never like the car to be twisted too much as the load on the stand is too far from vertical.
2 trolley jacks and 2 people is even better as the car can lift evenly then.
If I am working under the car I always put blocks/bricks under the car as well with some thick wood on top as brick will crack with a point load.
I inspect garage equipment and have seen/heard too many horror stories. and you only get one chance.

 

[t-tony]

Commercial tyre fitter killed last year, in Grimsby I think, when he didn't support an HGV when underneath knocking off a stuck wheel. Bloke must have been an idiot, but that's cold comfort to his family.

Tony.

 

[g8jka]

Always, always make sure that any car is very secure on decent axle stands or solid ramps before going underneath it. I'm sure you all think this is common sense but I thought it was also when several years ago I had a car fall on me when I was underneath it.

It was supported with 2 axle stands and a jack when I was lay down working under the rear arch of my brothers corsa removing a spring. I managed to knock an axle stand and the car slid sideways making one axle stand topple over and the car falling completely off the other and the jack. Luckily I managed to get my head out of the way in time but the rear hub hit my collar bone resulting in a nasty break.

I am lucky to be here and tell the story as it could have been a completely different, especially if I hadn't have moved my head in time. I am still wary of going under a car and I double check and triple check that's is 100% safe before I do. The more you can put under the car the better, like mentioned before the damage done to the vehicle or equipment in the event of a fall can be replaced or repaired, a life cannot.

 

[hard top]

Bloody hell @g8jka ..........

 

[Brian4]

Not axle stands but how not to do it.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKFGr_mkQaA

 

[mini]

I am wetting myself here sorry !! But this half wit golfing joiner part time zed der bought 4 axle stands from halfords ( on half price offer ) for my car thinking they will be handy !!!! After reading the stories on them the only person I'm getting underneath my car is the ex wife!!!!!! pms !!!!! Feck that !

 

[hard top]

My boss is a petrol head so we have one of these at work (for his use only) but he does let us use it if we ask really nicely and by him a cold one. I don't bother, as I can not get the Z on it without driving up onto some planks of wood first and a mate of mine has a garage with proper car lifts.

​

He is a bike nut as well, so we also have one of these.

 

[jonco]

.........the only person I'm getting underneath my car is the ex wife!!!!!! pms !!!!! Feck that !

The time to worry is when the wife (ex or otherwise) buys you a set as a present.

 

[mini]

Ha ,, if she bought me them pal ide defiantly have them checked out, !!!!!!!!!