Be careful working on your car

[Speed]

Even with an expensive trolley jack - NEVER work under a car supported by just the jack. If it's not on ramps/stands, it's not safe to be under.

x2.
Glad your okay.
I'm even nervous being under a car on stands. Can't beat a four poster!

Probably a good time to buy a lotto ticket because your a lucky man.

[Soundofav6]

Glad to hear you are OK !!!
I was warned, the widow maker slipped on me once, luck I was well away.
I learnt my lesson, now I got myself a 3 tonne stand and always have a the jack an inch lower incase the stand fails. Before I jack up the car,I even conciously remember to have my phone in my pocket incase I am pinned under !!

Jack slipping is no funny matter.

[OilBurna]

thanks guys for all the kind comments, I can't stop thinking how lucky I was it could have potentially been a lot worse, assume widowmaker refers to the factory jack, no excuses for my lack of pre caution or stupidity but the Passat jack does not seem to be a great design it only has a small footprint with a tendency to lean to one side and must be placed carefully on the ridge on the chassis underneath the car vs Mercedes one which seems much more substantial and essentially has more of a trolley type cup on the top which is easy to fit to the right spot under the car. PMoral is to buy a decent trolley jack which i will do before doing any more tyre changing..

Once again counting my lucky stars, and I have seen cars fall off axle stands, or slowly let down with a hydaulic jack, and yes phone in pocket is very wise I was thinking about that if you were working by yourself or no one else was home etc. Another good one is to wear safety glasses especially when working on brakes and safety footwear i.e steel capped boots.

[The_Hawk]

I keep eyeing off some of the hoists you can buy for around the $3k mark... Maybe a little expensive to put into your garage (and you have to watch how high up they go), but for safety and ease of access... I want one

Plan B is to keep an eye out in the trading post. They come up from time to time on the cheap, only problem being you usually have to remove and move them yourself.

[OilBurna]

true and depends on the height of your garage etc and room, there is a guy forgotten his name that sells 2nd hand ones on the Australian LS1 and Holden Forums forums.

[Blitzen]

You are a lucky boy mate... I still have the scars from where I have had my middle finger re attached after taking it off...

[Speed]

I keep eyeing off some of the hoists you can buy for around the $3k mark... Maybe a little expensive to put into your garage (and you have to watch how high up they go), but for safety and ease of access... I want one

Plan B is to keep an eye out in the trading post. They come up from time to time on the cheap, only problem being you usually have to remove and move them yourself.

Definately the way to go.. although don't get one unless its a four poster.

[Maverick]

Definately the way to go.. although don't get one unless its a four poster.

But the four poster one will limit what you can do with it unlike the two poster which allows the wheels to hang and gives you good access all around.

[Tim]

you can get airjack attachments for 4 posters so it can give you the best of both worlds. A lot of suspension work requires the car to be resting on its weight.

main problem is that a decent 4 poster is probably twice the price!