Could have killed myself, or worse! Don't be like me.

[spookfish]

Feeling pretty humble and stupid tonight . I'm over 50 and should have learned these lessons a long time ago.

I was trying to pack too much into one day. Kid had a campfire in the backyard last night with a bunch of his pals, and I have a new puppy which is affecting my sleep quality. (Took that Lab for his first swim today-AWESOME!). I was tired.

Oil change, tire rotation (and power washing rims), front pads, battery terminal maintenance, lubing the drive line and U-joints plus a general inspection of the undercarriage.

Anyhow, I had her on four jack stands in neutral with the dif in neutral too so that I could rotate the driveshaft for lubing.

When I was nearly done, I put the rear tires on with the fronts off and decided (stupidly) to lower the rear axle without putting it in park and engaging the dif and emergency brake. I have a very slight incline to my shop and my rear axle was outside of the plane of my shop floor. Truck started rolling enough to tip the front jack stands and land my tire-less front end on the shop floor. Crushed my 4 ton jack stand, but no damage to the frame.

Don't be like me. Be safe, go slow, don't turn wrenches when you are too tired to be smarter than the average bear!

 

[OEMGUY0720]

Stay safe @spookfish !

Yeah I agree fatigue is something we all can’t fight no matter how strong or smart we are.

 

[medtro]

Glad you are OK. Got pictures?

 

[ColoradoCarlisle]

Glad your ok

 

[spookfish]

Glad you are OK. Got pictures?

No damage, nothing to photograph. Got lucky! Rig's ready for Monday, brakes are stopping nicely. Pads were just temporary, I have Slee Braided lines, new Rotors and bearings ready for a longer day (with proper sleep)!

 

[Espi SERE]

Yeah man, that is always sketchy. Had my 69 roadrunner fall off Jack stands one day scared me half to death. Glad you and your rig are ok

 

[100club]

Thanks for sharing your experience. Glad you’re ok. Hopefully some else will read this and remember it when they’re feeing tired. I know I will.

 

[suprarx7nut]

Good to share as a reminder for others. Jack stands are no joke, especially on unlevel surfaces. I've had a few "eeek" moments, but nothing serious. I hope it stays that way.

Glad your event didn't cause any injury or damage!

 

[Skidoo]

Jack stands are problematic. First they are rated for the pair, so a 4ton set is 2 tons per jack stand.
Then you are lifting and lowering sides or ends so weight is shifting around which makes loading per jack stand interesting.
Add a sloped floor and that shifts weight also. Think 6ton set is a good starting point for a 7000 lb or more beast.
I use Harbor Freight 12ton set as need extra height for my lifted rig, and figure also need extra capacity just because they are HF.

 

[cwmoser]

Hey thanks for sharing.
Your experience could happen to any of us - just takes a silly mistake, forgetful, hurry-itis, etc.
Your story will be on my mind every time I get under my vehicles.

 

[nitteo]

Stay Safe! Glad you are ok and none the worse.

 

[Greenbean]

Glad your ok bro!

Fatigue happens to all of us!

I remember when in motorcycle safety class the easiest way to recognize fatigue was when you have trouble deciding which exit you want to take off a freeway or not being able to decide which road to take home as you have more than one choice.

I have a set of 12T stands for the front frame horns, gives great access to the front, rears get the 10T stands under the axles.

 

[AlpineAccess]

Really glad you came out unscathed! I've had to bump up my jack-stands a lot to feel comfortable with the cruiser. I went up to 12 ton jacks with safeties - the base width for stability has really helped a lot. I also have found lifting the vehicle rear first has been better to reduce front to back shifting. Anytime I have tires/wheels off the vehicle I stack them under a cross member or frame rail in the event a freak accident happens.

 

[spookfish]

Some good tips on this thread! I'll be buying new 12 tons and start stacking an extra cross member from now on. I wasn't really in any direct danger as it happened when I was lowering, but it was a big eye opener on how quick things can go wrong, especially if you are not thinking through all the steps.

 

[Ayune]

I've been using wooden 'stands' for years on a number of vehicles larger than the 100. This design has been tested on a 12-ton shop press to bypass (one stand) so it ain't collapsing and it sure ain't tipping over.

 

[ikarus]

I've been using wooden 'stands' for years on a number of vehicles larger than the 100. This design has been tested on a 12-ton shop press to bypass (one stand) so it ain't collapsing and it sure ain't tipping over.

View attachment 1993664

If you don't nail those together you could play some high-stakes jenga

 

[chrisratz]

It's good to hear these stories every once in a while. Glad everything turned out OK.

 

[TXLX100]

Wheel chocks help too, vehicles can shift very easily.

 

[spookfish]

Wheel chocks help too, vehicles can shift very easily.

Yeah, not in this case...this was pure stupidity on my part. The front tires were off and on stands. I lowered the rears (with tires) down without putting the e-brake on and locking the diff and putting it in park when the rears were on a slight decline from level. But yes...always use wheel chocks.