A8 car jack is unfit and unsafe.
08-28-2003, 06:46 PM
#1
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A8 car jack is unfit and unsafe.
I have seen other posts on how bad our car jacks are but I always dismissed it to using the jack on an inclined surface or just not using it correctly. Well I had a tire blow out last week and I was on a perfectly flat paved highway and I started jacking the car up and the jack just collapse in front of me. I was horrified that a car jack that was used in such optimal conditions failed. I can only imagine if you didn't have a perfectly hard flat surface you wouldn't have a chance. I would highly recommend trying your jack at home just to see if it will work. My car jack left me stranded until a helpful sheriff brought me a jack to use. This was a very embarrassing situation to be in.
I have attached some pictures showing how the jack failed. It is a very poor design.
As a side note everyone might want to check your air pressure in your spare tire. Mine only had 20 psi so I had to limp 15 miles to the next gas station to air it up to about 55 PSI.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36855/im001783.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36855/im001784.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36855/im001785.jpg">
I have attached some pictures showing how the jack failed. It is a very poor design.
As a side note everyone might want to check your air pressure in your spare tire. Mine only had 20 psi so I had to limp 15 miles to the next gas station to air it up to about 55 PSI.
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36855/im001783.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36855/im001784.jpg">
<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/36855/im001785.jpg">
08-28-2003, 06:57 PM
#2
Never seen this before! I agree that the jack is not safe as it does not
provide much stability. If you are on a slight slop or soft groung your are screwed unless you happen to have some planks of wood with you. Been there done that.
08-28-2003, 08:31 PM
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Brent almost lost a hand ...
at Grattan earlier this year when his A8's jack collapsed, also on a level surface. He had removed his hand from above the tire just a few seconds before the jack collapsed.
Is this same fine design used for the jack in the '04 A8L?
Is this same fine design used for the jack in the '04 A8L?
08-28-2003, 09:40 PM
#4
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Re: Brent almost lost a hand ...
What do you fellow A8 owners use as a replacement jack that you carry in place of this jack? I was going to try my jack out just to get familiar with the process. Now, I think I will start to carry a floor jack, although they are quite heavy.
08-28-2003, 10:13 PM
#5
I believe that you can get an aluminum jack which is quite light.
Also try this link. Looks interesting but possibly a bit expensive.<ul><li><a href="http://www.sparkleauto.com/car_jacks.html">http://www.sparkleauto.com/car_jacks.html</a</li></ul>
08-28-2003, 10:14 PM
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I carry a 4000 lb floor jack ...
that I picked up at Autozone for ~$60. It weighs about 40 lb and came with a plastic carrying case. I lined the top and bottom of the case with a thin foam pad to keep it from rattling.
Even though it's reasonably compact, it seems a shame to waste the trunk space, but it's better than the alternative.
Even though it's reasonably compact, it seems a shame to waste the trunk space, but it's better than the alternative.
08-29-2003, 03:52 AM
#7
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i bought a small floor jack from one of the local farm shops
It is nice and small even comes with its own canvas carrying case. Looks just like my large floor jack only about half the size. best thing about it was that it was only $18.00 and has a 10k lifting capacity.
Brent
Brent
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08-29-2003, 06:40 AM
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This is the closest I found ...
Unfortunately, I don't think that the 9.5" max lift is enough; I'm still looking.
BTW: I've seen similar jack complaints in the A4 and A6 forums. It seems we have a business opportunity for someone with access to a machine shop.
<img src="http://www.precisionproformance.com/pics/jack2.jpg"><ul><li><a href="http://www.precisionproformance.com/jack.htm">Billet Aluminum Floor Jack</a></li></ul>
BTW: I've seen similar jack complaints in the A4 and A6 forums. It seems we have a business opportunity for someone with access to a machine shop.
<img src="http://www.precisionproformance.com/pics/jack2.jpg"><ul><li><a href="http://www.precisionproformance.com/jack.htm">Billet Aluminum Floor Jack</a></li></ul>