I once had my subaru raised on two jacks (changing the front brake pads) and it fell over on me (yes, it actually fell on ME!). I literally came about 1 inch from loosing my reproductive organs under the front brake disk. It pinned the crotch of my pants to the ground and scared the heck out of me. I started screaming and my roommates came out and lifted the subie up off of me. Another time I had a '72 bus jacked up on one side and was again doing brake work. The jack actually twisted and the whole bus fell down. It fell kinda slowly, so I managed to get out of the way, but after those two experiences, I learned NEVER to work on a vehicle that is only supported by jacks, and to ALWAYS chock both sides of ALL the wheels that will be staying on the ground when I jack things up. To lift the front of my Vanagon, I just jack up one side real high and put a jackstand underneath, then jack up the other side and do the same thing. It really isn't safe AT ALL to have two jacks holding up the entire front end, rear end or side of a van or any vehicle for that matter. Good luck, Joel |
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