linderpat

Yesterday I lifted my Ford Edge onto the QJ 5000 SLX to do a routine oil change. Because it is an SUV and sits high, I use a double stack block on each pad - the bottom is the larger block, and the top is the grooved block to fit the underside jackpoint of the vehicle. My understanding from the instructions is that this method is acceptable. I then use jack stands as a back up. Sometimes I do no bother, for instance when I lift the 911 to the low position only.

Anyway, lifted the car to the highest position. Pushed on it to make sure everything was secure, like I always do, then crawled under and started to put the jackstands in. I set one under the first front point, and the moment I set the second one under the drivers side, something shifted and the whole thing almost came down on me. Holy Effen Christee I damn near crapped myself but got out fast. Had the jackstand not been under there, it would have been on me and I would not be typing this.

I looked at everything - the double stack block arrangement shifted, and the blocks popped out on one side, and failed on the other. The frame itself shifted, and the back of the car was hanging in the air by a literal hair, just waiting to fall. I gathered my wits then got my two floor jacks, and after some very careful manuevering, got the car down (the front jack stands were jammed on the car at this point, so I had to re-lift it with the QJ in order to get the stands out and lower the car - not fun and scary).

Moral of the story - ALWAYS, 100% OF THE TIME, USE JACK STANDS AS A FAIL SAFE WHEN WORKING UNDER A CAR WITH THE QUICKJACK (or anything else frankly). I have done this many times and this was a first. I do not know why it happened. I much prefer my liftbars for the 928 and 997, as they are rock solid and lift those cars about as high, and are much faster to put in place.

Epilogue - I got the vehicle back up with the QJ, using only the grooved blocks, no double stacking, and was able to complete the job. Fail safe jack stands were in place all around.

buccicone

Ed, you forgot one step. You went in the house to change your pants! All joking aside, I have not had any issues with the 928 but my Sequoia I’m careful. The double blocks can get wobbly. I have the 7000#

rsabeebe

i assume you're talking about double stacking the blocks supplied by quickjack. i have to say, i have never considered stacking the blocks for added height. the blocks simply do not have a big enough footprint for sufficient stability, imo. glad to hear nothing happened, but i would suggest that not double stacking is more the lesson than using jack stands as a back up.

linderpat

Agreed - do not double stack the blocks. I stand by the jack stand back up though. Always. No more exceptions for me at least.

islaTurbine

Yikes! Glad that you’re ok Ed.

I’ve double stacked the blocks once and was not happy with how unstable they seemed to me. QJ designed them to be stacked but your experience proves that it can be a dangerous proposition.

If you haven’t already, I’d suggest that you reach out to the top of the food chain at QJ and inform them of your experience.

oups59

+1

ngamountains

This. Glad the stars were aligned enough to allow you time to get out!

Harvey928

Ed,

I am just thankful nothing harmful happened to you.

olmann

Glad you were able to get out safely! Yes, always use jack stands even if you think you will be under it for a few moments.

I had a jack fail once as I was crawling under and getting ready to place a jack stand on a truck I was working on. The only thing that made me chuckle a little bit afterwards was that I didn’t realize I was able to move as fast as I did! It was all reflex. I always reach in and make sure stands are properly placed before getting my body in there. That happened back when I was younger and I wasn’t as fat and slow as I am now.

Mrmerlin

Ed glad your OK, its a real get your attention moment for sure.
Thanks for posting your experience for all to learn.

My suggestion please dont stack blocks to support your car while its on a lift.
Too many stories of this fail episode.

as a side note screwing and gluing the blocks together to form one is a way better idea.
then you have to figure out a way to attach the block to the lift arm.

jej3

I think the answer if you are wanting more lift is to get the QuickJack SUV and Light Truck adapters....

Daniel5691

Thank God you are OK.
I have never reached any point of comfort working under cars, but I agree with you that on the 928 the liftbars are just spectacular.
Usually I place every single jackstand that I can find under the 928, even when it's up on the liftbars, just because of paranoia...

Bertrand Daoust

928!

hacker-pschorr

Having never used a QuickJack, I originally thought that is what he was doing (stacking truck adapters). I've never seen the double block arrangement until this thread.

I take it what happened here is doing exactly what they recommend in this video. Did the Ford slip where the two blocks sit on top of each other?

venom51

This is one I don't agree with QuickJacks on. There is too much squish available in the blocks that allows them to deform in ways, that unless you are placing them on a perfectly square, flat surface, can deform in a way that would let them squeeze and shift out of position. That leads to what you experienced. Single block or get the SUV adapters. As long as the tires are on the SUV you likely wouldn't die but you'd get the crap scared out of you and a possible clonk on the head.