RE: [Chevelle-List] Jack Stand Safety

[John Nasta]

An object falls when its center of gravity exceeds its base. The problem with jack stands is that they have a very small base, and by raising the car onto 4 jack stands, you are raising the center of gravity AND putting it on a smaller base at the same time. Also, jack stands will sink into things like asphalt, causing the weight to shift. You can get away with it if it is a level cement surface. My El Camino was on 4 jack stands for 2 years. During that time, I never got under it. It was really only on stands because the tires did not hold air and I didn't want the aluminum rims to be supporting the car for that long. Putting the front on a good set of ramps and the back on stands is MUCH safer. When I was a teenager, a guy a couple of blocks away was killed because he was under his car while it was on 4 jack stands. Sure, you might be able to get away with it, but the price you pay if it doesn't work out is way too high. I would recommend that you get a good set of heavy-duty ramps with removable inclines, and one set of jack stands.   JMO, John Nasta