I was trying to an oil change today. I've done a few myself before. My friend usually jacks it up for me cuz it's his hydraulic jack, but it's not like I don't know how it's done. I've changed a spare tire before and know how to jack up a car.

Well anyways, after positioning the jack underneath the point, I began pumping. I was getting close to being able to slide woodblocks underneath the tire when I heard a twinge in the spring of the jack. I looked under and saw the jackpoint smooshed. Somehow the bar thing folded over I lower the car and removed the jack. That's when I noticed the asphalt ground had caved in where the jack's wheel's were.

here are pictures to go with my words. http://www.pbase.com/ants/dannys_tl

Please give me your thoughts on why this happened and what I should do about it.

Thanks

 

Well, the asphalt is too soft (was it a hot day?) and when the jack wheels sunk in, it wasn't able to roll forward thus bending your jacking point plate.

Just incase, I would use a sheet of plywood big enough for the jack to spread the weight to more than just the jack wheels.

 

I agree with TUFF GONG. When it's hot outside, the asphalt gets softened. Same thing with the kickstand of a motorcycle. Use a piece of plywood next time and you should be ok.

 

Thanks for the replies fellas. That's probably what happened. I'm in Texas; it's either raining, or it's hot, haha. What should I do about the busted jacking point plate?

 

as far as the plate you can bend it back out or just leave it ...it wont hurt anything

 

Same thing happened to me except my stock jack was barely on the jack point. When I got my car just high enough the jack gave way. THE JACK STAYED IN THE UP POSITION AND MY CAR JUST SANK! I looked on the passenger's floor and the jack literally went thru the floor and almost made it thru the carpet.:wow:

I payed 700 to get it fixed... It shouldnt be that hard or expensive to weld it back on...

 

when u dont have experience with something leave it to the professionals....." dont do the crime if u cant do the time...Beretta "......next time make sure u follow the directions....stay within the lines,,,,,,the lines are ur friend.

 

mine bended back too.........I just still jack up the car from the same point. It's fine.

 

you should jack the car up in your garage, which is made out of concrete, not tar.

 

gotta learn some time. :o

Anyways, thanks for the advice everyone.

 

make sure to properly dispose of your used oil THE EARTH IS OUR FRIEND

 

that remark wasnt aimed toward you danny

 

What he said, although I can understand the fact that not everyone owns or has access to a garage...

 

thats cool. i wasnt offended anyways.


Yeh, I'm at my apartment so no garage for me. The entire lot is asphalt, so I figure I'll go park at walmart or something and do the oil change there. lol

 

Ya, I'm sure Walmart will be pleased to hear that you're using their lot to do your oil change rather than paying them to do it in their auto service bay!