Want to be a DIYer but...

Well since I don't have any garage to put my 308 on a lift, I had an idea to at least to do my own maintenance. Is it dangerous to park my car partially on top of a curb (tilted/jacked) to do some work underneath? I would lock the tires in place with the parking brake and add bricks just to be sure.

 

Get some jack stands. They're inexpensive and might save your life.

 

+1!!!!!!!!!!!

Jack Stands are cheap and so are hydraulic jacks. I have 2 from Craftsman and 3 pair of jack stands plus 2 wheel chocks. When my car is up in the air, there are atleast 2 jackstands underneath plus both jacks. Try squeezing your head underneath your 308 while sitting level. You cannot do it. Now imagine that thing falling on your head or rolling off that curb....OUCH.
The 308 is the easiest car to get up on jackstands.


JIM

 

On the curb, I be really afraid of someone rear-ending my car while I'm underneath it!

And I've done it before too. But there was a lot less traffic then. I think you're right tat... it's too low anyway

 

i've spent many a cold day lying in the gutter under a car with two wheels on the pavement. i think a ferrari is too low to do this with. best off getting a floor jack and stands.

 

Technically speaking, since the car is on 4 wheels and it's own suspension, parking on the curb (provided you've parked securely on the curb) would be stable, but I doubt that you'll get the clearance you need to do much.

I agree with the others: Go and purchase a good quality hydraulic jack and solid jack stands. Remember that your life rests on the integrity of those devices, so don't scrimp - get the best you can afford. And never (EVER!) just use the hydraulic jack to hold up a car while you're under it.

Bob

 

You're in DC, just park over one of the potholes in town and climb in

Regards,

Art S.

 

Also bring a ladder when you enter the pothole so you can still reach the underside of the car.

 

+2, etc. The number 1 issue in being a shade tree mechanic is safety. It's the same answer you get when you ask if you can save money buying a cheap helmet to go on the track -- How much is your head worth?? Agree with all the recommendations about getting a decent hydraulic jack and jack stands. You don't need to put the whole car up. You can jack the rear and put it on stands. Just be sure you also get a good set of wheel chocks for both sides (front and back) of both wheels that will be on the ground. Better safe than sorry IMHO. And while you are at it, if you don't have a set of metric tools, buy yourself a good basic set (you don't need a $500 mechanics tool set, one of those $80 or $90 Craftsman sets is fine if you are just doing basic stuff now and then; they go on sale all the time). And if you are planning on doing the oil and transmission fluids, get a 10mm and 12mm Allen wrench on a 3/8" drive, and get an 18" breaker bar. You'll need the leverage to get those plugs out, especially if some guerilla mechanic tightened them the last time.

Have fun! And remember to download the owners manual and shop manual for your car, if you haven't done so already. Good info in there about doing basic maintenance.

 

As a safety note about jackstands, a fellow 914er was working on his engine and his ratcheting-style jackstand failed. He was lucky that the other held up and his visit to the emergency room was short. Turns out the ratcheting or tooth & pawl style typically don't have full contact engagement and sometimes a wiggle here-n-there is enough to break the contact and The type that uses a through pin meets OSHA standards and are safer. Here's the thread if you're interested: http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?s=&showtopic=70117&view=findpost&p=882554

Cars are fun so why risk your life on cheap-assed, PREVENTABLE, safety measures (refering to a curb instead of stands)?

 

In other words - don't do it this way..
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I use 4 jackstands. I also keep the hydraulic lift under it somewhere locked in place and I then put all 4 wheels under it too. There is no way it is falling flat on the floor with me under it.

 

I use 6" X 8" timbers, no way i can fall on me.

 

and probably dont perform any weld repairs on a gas tank