clarke ali trolly jack failure......with me under the car!
Discussion
KaraK said:
I had a lucky escape a couple of years ago - we were jacking my mate's S2 up to check out some damage to the exhaust using the standard scissor jack and I stuck my head under to check that we had the clearance for the axle stand (no I don't know why I did either) and had just pulled clear when the scissor jack folded like paper!
scary s
t!!!Beedub said:
KaraK said:
I had a lucky escape a couple of years ago - we were jacking my mate's S2 up to check out some damage to the exhaust using the standard scissor jack and I stuck my head under to check that we had the clearance for the axle stand (no I don't know why I did either) and had just pulled clear when the scissor jack folded like paper!
scary st!!!the front was up on ramps, somehow my elbow hit the selector rod and it came out of park! (no the back wheels wern't chocked)
Followed by an o s
t moment as it rolled off the ramps in slow motion.I grabbed on to something and let it drag me along so the front wheels didn't go over me.
Fortunately i was a skinny git back then and got away without so much as a scratch.
Slade Alive said:
The point is intelligent people who know nothing about vehicle maintenance may find the need of a jack at one time or another. They wouldn't necessarily understand the need to play safe with additional support. For this reason hydraulic jacking devices have to me more intelligent than the casual uninformed potential user. Cheap jack or not, all should be capable of sustained support otherwise they're life threatening.
THIS OF COURSE TAKES NOTHING AWAY FROM THE COMMON SENSE USE OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT POINTED OUT BY MANY HERE.
THIS OF COURSE TAKES NOTHING AWAY FROM THE COMMON SENSE USE OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT POINTED OUT BY MANY HERE.
BliarOut said:
All well and good in theory, but you're putting your life in the ability of a seal to hold against the oil pressure.
It's not a theory. It's fact that many put their lives in danger just as you say, which is exactly why a jack has to hold.BliarOut said:
They all say to use stands in the instructions. They're a lifting device, not a holding device.
Calling it a lifting device, stating it's not a holding device is naive. Of course a jack is a holding device. If it were not it would be dangerous to the point of life threatening, as you pointed out. A hydraulic jack should incorporate a safety valve so as not to fall suddenly. Thus not reliant upon just a seal. Beedub said:
so guys please please please use axle stands, i have ever since i started messing with cars.
A family friend was killed many years ago for not using axle stands and just relying on a jack.Spending a few minutes to make sure everything is safe can save your life whatever the rating of a jack. I think of him every time I use one and that was over 25 years ago.
Edited by Westy Pre-Lit on Sunday 13th March 21:12
Westy Pre-Lit said:
A family friend was killed many years ago for not using axle stands and just relying on a jack.
Spending a few minutes to make sure everything is safe can save your life whatever the rating of a jack. I think of him ever time I use one and that was over 25 years ago.
Our neighbour died the same way a few years back.Spending a few minutes to make sure everything is safe can save your life whatever the rating of a jack. I think of him ever time I use one and that was over 25 years ago.
Slade Alive said:
Slade Alive said:
The point is intelligent people who know nothing about vehicle maintenance may find the need of a jack at one time or another. They wouldn't necessarily understand the need to play safe with additional support. For this reason hydraulic jacking devices have to me more intelligent than the casual uninformed potential user. Cheap jack or not, all should be capable of sustained support otherwise they're life threatening.
THIS OF COURSE TAKES NOTHING AWAY FROM THE COMMON SENSE USE OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT POINTED OUT BY MANY HERE.
THIS OF COURSE TAKES NOTHING AWAY FROM THE COMMON SENSE USE OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT POINTED OUT BY MANY HERE.
BliarOut said:
All well and good in theory, but you're putting your life in the ability of a seal to hold against the oil pressure.
It's not a theory. It's fact that many put their lives in danger just as you say, which is exactly why a jack has to hold.BliarOut said:
They all say to use stands in the instructions. They're a lifting device, not a holding device.
Calling it a lifting device, stating it's not a holding device is naive. Of course a jack is a holding device. If it were not it would be dangerous to the point of life threatening, as you pointed out. A hydraulic jack should incorporate a safety valve so as not to fall suddenly. Thus not reliant upon just a seal. 
They shouldn't fail, but they do, hence they are a lifting device ONLY 
Slade Alive said:
The point is intelligent people who know nothing about vehicle maintenance may find the need of a jack at one time or another. They should RTFM or let someone else do it.
EFA. I realise jacking a car isn't rocket science, but then to me neither are house boilers, electrics, full engine rebuilds and many other things. I still know when to step aside. If someone decides to operate outside of the scope of their knowledge on their heads be it - literally in this instance.Slade Alive said:
It's not a theory. It's fact that many put their lives in danger just as you say, which is exactly why a jack has to hold.
A jack doesn't have to do anything other than jack. A good jack probably will hold, but it will never suggest in the manual that you should do so. They're called jacks for a reason. If you don't like it, tough, frankly.
Slade Alive said:
BliarOut said:
They all say to use stands in the instructions. They're a lifting device, not a holding device.
Calling it a lifting device, stating it's not a holding device is naive. Of course a jack is a holding device. If it were not it would be dangerous to the point of life threatening, as you pointed out. A hydraulic jack should incorporate a safety valve so as not to fall suddenly. Thus not reliant upon just a seal. Edited by Stu R on Sunday 13th March 21:35
JM said:
Stu R said:
Costco jacks are very, very good.
I just recently got one, not used it much yet, but yea seems very good.I also have a 20+ year old Halfords 2Ton jack that has had lots of use and is still going strong.
TBH I always imagine the jack failing and use stands, even putting wheels under the sills will help if something decides to 'sink'. Being crushed below ones car would be so embarrassing..
Huntsman said:
I bought a Clarke jack, it failed after just a handful of times I had used it, the seals started to leak and I had to keep pumping it for it to maintain height. I took it back and got a refund.
I tend to avoid Clarke if I can.
clarke..... not getting a good picture here are we......I tend to avoid Clarke if I can.
Slade Alive said:
Slade Alive said:
The point is intelligent people who know nothing about vehicle maintenance may find the need of a jack at one time or another. They wouldn't necessarily understand the need to play safe with additional support. For this reason hydraulic jacking devices have to me more intelligent than the casual uninformed potential user. Cheap jack or not, all should be capable of sustained support otherwise they're life threatening.
THIS OF COURSE TAKES NOTHING AWAY FROM THE COMMON SENSE USE OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT POINTED OUT BY MANY HERE.
THIS OF COURSE TAKES NOTHING AWAY FROM THE COMMON SENSE USE OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT POINTED OUT BY MANY HERE.
BliarOut said:
All well and good in theory, but you're putting your life in the ability of a seal to hold against the oil pressure.
It's not a theory. It's fact that many put their lives in danger just as you say, which is exactly why a jack has to hold.BliarOut said:
They all say to use stands in the instructions. They're a lifting device, not a holding device.
Calling it a lifting device, stating it's not a holding device is naive. Of course a jack is a holding device. If it were not it would be dangerous to the point of life threatening, as you pointed out. A hydraulic jack should incorporate a safety valve so as not to fall suddenly. Thus not reliant upon just a seal. Beedub said:
Slade Alive said:
Slade Alive said:
The point is intelligent people who know nothing about vehicle maintenance may find the need of a jack at one time or another. They wouldn't necessarily understand the need to play safe with additional support. For this reason hydraulic jacking devices have to me more intelligent than the casual uninformed potential user. Cheap jack or not, all should be capable of sustained support otherwise they're life threatening.
THIS OF COURSE TAKES NOTHING AWAY FROM THE COMMON SENSE USE OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT POINTED OUT BY MANY HERE.
THIS OF COURSE TAKES NOTHING AWAY FROM THE COMMON SENSE USE OF ADDITIONAL SUPPORT POINTED OUT BY MANY HERE.
BliarOut said:
All well and good in theory, but you're putting your life in the ability of a seal to hold against the oil pressure.
It's not a theory. It's fact that many put their lives in danger just as you say, which is exactly why a jack has to hold.BliarOut said:
They all say to use stands in the instructions. They're a lifting device, not a holding device.
Calling it a lifting device, stating it's not a holding device is naive. Of course a jack is a holding device. If it were not it would be dangerous to the point of life threatening, as you pointed out. A hydraulic jack should incorporate a safety valve so as not to fall suddenly. Thus not reliant upon just a seal. well as were talking about a jack failing due to a seal leaking im not to sure your question is relevant??
if we go down your train of though, we better not use an axle stand.... that may collapse and fail, alots of things can happen BUT if its down to my own stupidy then fine, if its down to a substandard jack... not good.
as long as my jack is working properly, the car is safely supported on stands...... not much more else i can do except pray i go to heaven :-)
if we go down your train of though, we better not use an axle stand.... that may collapse and fail, alots of things can happen BUT if its down to my own stupidy then fine, if its down to a substandard jack... not good.
as long as my jack is working properly, the car is safely supported on stands...... not much more else i can do except pray i go to heaven :-)
I'd pop any removed wheels under there too 
I'm not scaremongering, I understand the risks involved in lifting a car. I've had jacks fail and I've encountered rotten jacking points over the years. Improving the design of the lifting device still leaves you with other external factors that could kill you.
Ever tried frantically to lift a car with a jack as the jacking points sink into the body?
I'm not scaremongering, I understand the risks involved in lifting a car. I've had jacks fail and I've encountered rotten jacking points over the years. Improving the design of the lifting device still leaves you with other external factors that could kill you.
Ever tried frantically to lift a car with a jack as the jacking points sink into the body?
It's s simple matter to point out the safety of a jack. To suggest a jack is a lifting device and not a supporting device is in itself foolish. If all a jack is capable of is lifting but not holding then it is dangerous unsafe life threatening, and should be avoided at all costs - end of.
NOTHING TO DO WITH GREAT ADVICE TO USE ALTERNATIVE SUPPORTING EQUIPMENT.
Mains plugs aren't removable these days for a reason. Soon you won't be able to purchase a jack without a two leg beam support, built in ratchet lock, life insurance and membership to BUPA. That's providing you can produce your Halfords trade card of course. But thanks for missing the point for the sake of argument. It's about the price tag - sorry - quality.
NOTHING TO DO WITH GREAT ADVICE TO USE ALTERNATIVE SUPPORTING EQUIPMENT.
Mains plugs aren't removable these days for a reason. Soon you won't be able to purchase a jack without a two leg beam support, built in ratchet lock, life insurance and membership to BUPA. That's providing you can produce your Halfords trade card of course. But thanks for missing the point for the sake of argument. It's about the price tag - sorry - quality.
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