No worries, I'll be here.
tony.
tony.
New daily driver
- Thread starter Faheem
- Start date
Went under the corsa today to diagnose the rattle, was under there less than a minute and the jack failed, car fell on top of me, feel very privileged to have come out with no major injuries. Life lesson, always use axle stands regardless of how long you plan on being under the car for.
Bloody hell, lucky lad.
Car landed on my chest. Waited there for 5 minutes shouting for help after which practically the whole street came out to help me. None of them knew how to use a jack so they ended up lifting the car of me. 
Probably the most terrifying experience I've ever had. I am so, so lucky, feels like a second life.
Probably the most terrifying experience I've ever had. I am so, so lucky, feels like a second life.
Could have been really nasty faheem. Pleased there was no damage done.Car landed on my chest. Waited there for 5 minutes shouting for help after which practically the whole street came out to help me. None of them knew how to use a jack so they ended up lifting the car of me.
I didn't realise just how serious the collapse was - you are one very lucky person! Take care!Car landed on my chest. Waited there for 5 minutes shouting for help after which practically the whole street came out to help me. None of them knew how to use a jack so they ended up lifting the car of me.
You're a lucky man but jacks rarely fail, more likely incorrectly used such as not on firm or level ground or not positioned correctly. Or the car not being properly chocked prior to lifting. I would recommend you invest in a good quality trolley jack and some axle stands and perhaps the next time you have to do it get someone to assist you who is suitably experienced.
My son nearly had a similar experience about 10yrs ago now, but I spotted that the jack he was using on his Golf wasn't positioned vertically under the jacking point and as he lifted the car it started to roll because the jack was actually pushing the car due to its inclination.
Luckily I was there, and he never got under the car.
My son nearly had a similar experience about 10yrs ago now, but I spotted that the jack he was using on his Golf wasn't positioned vertically under the jacking point and as he lifted the car it started to roll because the jack was actually pushing the car due to its inclination.
Luckily I was there, and he never got under the car.
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2015
- Points
- 191
That's frightening to hear about your jack failed
That is very often the case, the jack I was using looked brand new (it wasn't a trolley jack, just the standard one that comes with the car) I was only planning to be under the car for a minute or two to identify where the rattle was and judging the condition of the jack I didn't think it would collapse on me within a couple of minutes. In this case the jack was aligned perfectly. These things do happen when you least expect them to, so this for me has stressed the importance of taking additional measures to support the car - axle stands, tire under the car etc.
It was by far the most terrifying experience that I've ever had. I was almost certain that I was going to die or end up seriously injured today
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2015
- Points
- 191
Thankfully all is well mateThat is very often the case, the jack I was using looked brand new (it wasn't a trolley jack, just the standard one that comes with the car) I was only planning to be under the car for a minute or two to identify where the rattle was and judging the condition of the jack I didn't think it would collapse on me within a couple of minutes. In this case the jack was aligned perfectly. These things do happen when you least expect them to, so this for me has stressed the importance of taking additional measures to support the car - axle stands, tire under the car etc.
It was by far the most terrifying experience that I've ever had. I was almost certain that I was going to die or end up seriously injured today
OMG @Faheem thank Christ you escaped in tact your guardian angel was definitely looking after you that day
.Good job you're a slim Jim
.Seriously though never ever go under a car unless it's on axle stands.
Steve
I had a similar thing happen to me years ago, when I was young and daft. I ended up with my Mini sitting on my hand, thankfully I wasn't under the car itself. It was a life lesson learned the hard way, as long as you learned then all is well. I'm happy you were not badly hurt.
Tony.
ps. A lorry tyre fitted employed by the company I work for was not as fortunate sadly a few months ago he was under a lorry, on a jack, but not supported when he tried to knock the stuck wheel off the axle, the truck fell off the jack and he was crushed and killed. He had done this many times and sad to say, familiarity breeds contempt.
Tony.
ps. A lorry tyre fitted employed by the company I work for was not as fortunate sadly a few months ago he was under a lorry, on a jack, but not supported when he tried to knock the stuck wheel off the axle, the truck fell off the jack and he was crushed and killed. He had done this many times and sad to say, familiarity breeds contempt.
That's never crossed my mind of 20 years of driving trucks. It's countless the amount of times I've had tyres changed in the yard or at the roadside and not once have I ever seen the truck supported other than on a jack.I had a similar thing happen to me years ago, when I was young and daft. I ended up with my Mini sitting on my hand, thankfully I wasn't under the car itself. It was a life lesson learned the hard way, as long as you learned then all is well. I'm happy you were not badly hurt.
Tony.
ps. A lorry tyre fitted employed by the company I work for was not as fortunate sadly a few months ago he was under a lorry, on a jack, but not supported when he tried to knock the stuck wheel off the axle, the truck fell off the jack and he was crushed and killed. He had done this many times and sad to say, familiarity breeds contempt.
Needless to say everyone was amazed when I came out with no visible marks or injuries.OMG @Faheem thank Christ you escaped in tact your guardian angel was definitely looking after you that day
Good job you're a slim Jim
Seriously though never ever go under a car unless it's on axle stands.
Steve
Thanks Steve 
Thanks Tony. Did you know the chap personally? That is very, very sad. You don't really think much of stories like that unless you can relate to them. I'm still in a little bit of shock.I had a similar thing happen to me years ago, when I was young and daft. I ended up with my Mini sitting on my hand, thankfully I wasn't under the car itself. It was a life lesson learned the hard way, as long as you learned then all is well. I'm happy you were not badly hurt.
Tony.
ps. A lorry tyre fitted employed by the company I work for was not as fortunate sadly a few months ago he was under a lorry, on a jack, but not supported when he tried to knock the stuck wheel off the axle, the truck fell off the jack and he was crushed and killed. He had done this many times and sad to say, familiarity breeds contempt.
N
Tony.
No, I didn't know him personally Faheem. The outside fitters at our place have now been issued with axle stands although they all have copious amounts of wooden blocks on their trucks, thing is neither is of any use unless they're between a lorry axle and the ground. Fitters will keep on taking risks until it's too late, as it was for this guy.Needless to say everyone was amazed when I came out with no visible marks or injuries.
Thanks Tony. Did you know the chap personally? That is very, very sad. You don't really think much of stories like that unless you can relate to them. I'm still in a little bit of shock.
Tony.
I would never use one of those jack to go underneath a car just don't trust them for that job so glad you escaped without injury but just a query you said it fell on your chest? Just be wary if feeling off from normal and get your self into hospital for a checkup I've seen cases of Cardiac tamponade happen hours after a blow to the chest but I'm sure you would be really sore in the chest if that was the case.
Glad your ok Faheem.
Need to take safety seriously especially when what your'e messing with is heavy..
Need to take safety seriously especially when what your'e messing with is heavy..
Thanks @Russell O
My chest is a little sore but it's mainly when I take a really deep breath in or try and speak a lot in one breath, everyone has advised, friends, family, neighbours that I go to the hospital for a check up but honestly I feel fine and the soreness should go away soon.