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Time for my spring oil change after install of the ground effects. So taking in consideration the possibility of scrapping the GE, I thought this out well and decided to backup onto some planks and the ramps at the same time, causing the rear end to be on the ramps and the front end to be on the 2 inch high boards. So far, good planning.
So now I put my new low profile jack under the front and jack the front end of the car up, slightly higher than the rear. Put jack stands under the front car by the lift points and all is well.
Drain oil and all the yada, yada, yada, stuff. So now I want to start the car while the rear is on the ramps and the front is on the jack stands. However I don't get in the car but open the door, push clutch in with my hand and start the car. All is working out as planned until I release the clutch...not realizing the car is still in gear! Catastrophe flashes through my mind as I turn off the key, but not soon enough
Immediately the ramps shoot out from under the car. About 10 feet into the driveway. The rear end of the car comes done, engine bay cover slams down! Damn I say! I check under the car to see if anything is leaking, no! Pop open engine lid to see that I broke the rod attachment to the body, but the rod is just sitting there. So far so good. Now all I have to do is jack up the car to take jack stands out to make sure the is no body damage. However I can't get the jack to work! The new harbor freight jack had a one lift life expectancy! I can't lift the car up to remove the now angled jack stands. No matter what I do, the jack won't lift up the car! The car precariously leaning on the stands with no way to lift he car up. Throw the lift into my truck and off to Harbor fright to return it.
Get there and I can't return/exchange it because I didn't bring the freakin receipt. I told the manager that the receipt was the least of my problems, the car leaning was more important. So rather than argue the absurd with him I bought a second one. Lifted the car up and removed the stands and no damage. No damage anywhere except for the plastic part the the engine lid support.
In retrospect I was so freakin' pissed that I left the car in gear, but got lucky. At least this time. Tomorrow morning I change the oil in my Volvo! What surprises await me then!
So now I put my new low profile jack under the front and jack the front end of the car up, slightly higher than the rear. Put jack stands under the front car by the lift points and all is well.
Drain oil and all the yada, yada, yada, stuff. So now I want to start the car while the rear is on the ramps and the front is on the jack stands. However I don't get in the car but open the door, push clutch in with my hand and start the car. All is working out as planned until I release the clutch...not realizing the car is still in gear! Catastrophe flashes through my mind as I turn off the key, but not soon enough
Immediately the ramps shoot out from under the car. About 10 feet into the driveway. The rear end of the car comes done, engine bay cover slams down! Damn I say! I check under the car to see if anything is leaking, no! Pop open engine lid to see that I broke the rod attachment to the body, but the rod is just sitting there. So far so good. Now all I have to do is jack up the car to take jack stands out to make sure the is no body damage. However I can't get the jack to work! The new harbor freight jack had a one lift life expectancy! I can't lift the car up to remove the now angled jack stands. No matter what I do, the jack won't lift up the car! The car precariously leaning on the stands with no way to lift he car up. Throw the lift into my truck and off to Harbor fright to return it.
Get there and I can't return/exchange it because I didn't bring the freakin receipt. I told the manager that the receipt was the least of my problems, the car leaning was more important. So rather than argue the absurd with him I bought a second one. Lifted the car up and removed the stands and no damage. No damage anywhere except for the plastic part the the engine lid support.
In retrospect I was so freakin' pissed that I left the car in gear, but got lucky. At least this time. Tomorrow morning I change the oil in my Volvo! What surprises await me then!
