Check those jack stands!

Replacing the shocks on the beast (3/4 ton Suburban).   I jacked it up last week and started work........but you know how it is.  Today I started wrenching away and before getting under the last corner I looked at the stand 

That looks better.  Still though, I don’t love working under anything that weighs this much.     One shock and the transfer case output seal to go.

I always open these threads with a heavy heart because it usually means someone close to one of you died a pointless early death. I am really glad this wasn't one of those threads.

I hate working under cars.

Meanwhile one of my idiot friends jacks the whole front of his new edge Mustang up by the cross member and climbs way up under it to check the clutch cable after a test pass at Beech Bend...

I don't think he even had stands on the truck that day.

Good to see you thinking about the "what if"

Much better than what I just saw on FB moments ago...

In reply to Cooter :

Sweet wagovan but holy hell somebody is a dumbass.

Jackstands on pavement without something to spread the load is definitely short-term, as the stands will start to sink (as you saw).  I've seen them sink a 1/4" or so in an hour or 2 on a hot day (hotter weather = softer pavement = faster sinking). 

MrJoshua said:

I always open these threads with a heavy heart because it usually means someone close to one of you died a pointless early death. I am really glad this wasn't one of those threads.

I just assumed the worst. Glad I was wrong.

Ah yes, asphalt, the hard surface that isn't

Floating Doc said:

MrJoshua said:

I always open these threads with a heavy heart because it usually means someone close to one of you died a pointless early death. I am really glad this wasn't one of those threads.

I just assumed the worst. Glad I was wrong.

Oops.  Sorry for that.

I’m a safety steward and medic, I understand that accidents can and will happen but I try pretty darned hard to minimize the risk.   You’ll notice the wheel under the rocker in case it went sideways (I learned that trick from you fine folks).

Anyway, shocks are done and driveshaft is pulled.  I should wrap it up tomorrow.

We had recently finished a “course” on safely blocking and winching emergency vehicles and the importance of using the equipment properly when I learned our Dep Chief who had taught the course had died underneath his car when it fell off the jack stands.

And I just had my truck land on its passenger rotor when a jackstand tipped just due to that shallow slope on the driveway.

Very glad this is a reminder and not another sort of thread.

Good job on the wheel and tire. It's best to always have a backup of some kind ot keep the car off of your body. I'll try to have it no more than 1/2 inch below where the vehicle is sitting on the jack stand.