Jack slipping

D

davidmac

Member
Has anyone out there had any probs with the jack slipping out when changing the wheel.I am very experienced when it comes to most things motor wise.However while changing the off side front wheel the other day on a concrete garage floor , I went to offer the wheel up to the hub I reached across to pick up a stud the jack slipped out with no warning and trapped my hand between the wheel arch and the tyre.Trapped, a friend who was with me at the time had to re-position the jack and relieve the pressure.A visit to the hospital and one broken and dis-located finger later.Neither of us can work out what happened.No contact was made with the car (never got the chance).No one was in the car and the jack shot out sideways and landed about a foot away.Puzzled and wounded, wondering if anyone has had a similar experience:(
 
Ouch!

Sorry to hear of your misfortune and hope that you have a swift and total recovery.

It's the first I've heard of an injury sustained from the jack, but I have had some close calls myself (as people on here will testify, I live in a part of the country where there is no flat ground!) with the jack slipping sideways as the car is lifted.

It is a good job that you had a friend to help as things could have been so much worse if you had been there for a while.

I always use axel stands now, without exception. And I prefer to use a trolley jack when at home too.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Blimey, that sounds horrible. :eek:
I hope your hand gets better very soon, and I 100% echo what Mike said and only ever use a trolley jack at home, and always get axle stands under cars regardless of how long the job is going to be.
 
Thanks for the messages.I always use a trolley jack and the wee jack as well for safety but for some reason I didn't this time, just goes to show you never know whats round the corner.I was well and trully trapped and unable to reach anything my wee mate was trying to lift the car manually (he's 8 stone soaking wet by the way)but with a bit of persuasion he got the message and used the jack.Not the handiest of things to happen on a Saturday evening but we live and learn.I will be using axle stands next time and my trusty trolley:eek:
 
Are there approved locations to use a trolley jack.
I have read thro the manual, but I don't recall seeing this information


JH

(hope the hand heals OK David)
 
John H said:
Are there approved locations to use a trolley jack.
I have read thro the manual, but I don't recall seeing this information


JH

(hope the hand heals OK David)
Click to expand...

Yes there are.

If you look under the car, in line with the jacking point covers on the sills there are 4 circular plastic bungs, about 20cm in from the sills.

These areas are reinforced to be used as jacking points. Ideally, place a small block of wood in between the jack and the chassis to avoid baring any aluminium.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Hi David

That was a close shave. Could have been a nasty outcome. I do hope your hand is not out of action for too long.

You said "the jack slipped out " rather than the jack slipped at the foot.

Was it completely in? I asked as I once noticed that a jacking socket on my A2 was bunged up with some sort of grey rubbery mastic material. It would have stopped the jack being fully engaged in the socket. Luckily I spotted it before having a puncture.

I use old rubber car mats under the foot of the jack and I would echo Mike, and use axel stands.
 
The Jack was fully inserted it is a job I have done many times before.The Jack appears to have shot out of the socket, as it landed over a foot away from the car.The good news is my hand suffered a double dis-location at the pinkie and is not broken.It is on the mend and not as painful.Again thanks for the support it does mean a lot.:)
 
The EXACT same thing happened to me a while back. There was no one around and my hand was complete trapped between the wheel arch and the wheel bearing the full weight of the car. I had to shout for help for a while until someone arrived. They jacked the car up again so I could remove my hand. I lost feeling in one of my fingers for a couple of months, however the hospital said all I had was temporary nerve damage in my hand - a lucky escape I would say!
 
This has happened to me as well, but fortunately without hurting myself. I have learned that when using a jack, always block the tires before lifting the car for extra safety.
 
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