Warning! Don't try this at home!
#1
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Warning! Don't try this at home!
Yesterday I decided to change the oil pressure sensor in my car. So I get out the plastic ramps, put them in front of the wheels and start driving up the ramps.
Going really slowly and thinking I was at the top of the ramps I let of the throttle and the car started rolling backwards slowly. So I tap the gas pedal and BANG, CRUNCH, the car is now back on level ground.
I looked up at my daughter who is standing outside the car with a look of Horror on her face, still trying to figure out what happened and how bad the damage will be.
After gaining the courage to step out of the car I inspected the carnage. When I "Tapped" the gas pedal both ramps had shot rearword wedging themselves under the door sills about half way between the front and rear wheels.
I took my floor jack and raised the car a little, to get the ramps from under the car and inspected the underside of the car for damage. Surprisingly there was no damage to the car and only one ramp broke at the top.
Now I know what you're thinking- "That guy is a dumb@ss!" But I can assure you I've been using ramps for many years without trouble. There'* two things I should have done differently.
One- let the car roll back down the ramp before trying to go up again. Two- The ramps were on my garage floor which has very smooth concrete. The ramps have only one rubber pad on the bottom to prevent slipping. Next time I'll use ramps on my driveway which has a rough surface or put some extra rubber pads on the bottom of the ramps.
So I share my story with everyone here hoping that people are entertained but also cautious enough not to make the same mistake I did.
Going really slowly and thinking I was at the top of the ramps I let of the throttle and the car started rolling backwards slowly. So I tap the gas pedal and BANG, CRUNCH, the car is now back on level ground.
I looked up at my daughter who is standing outside the car with a look of Horror on her face, still trying to figure out what happened and how bad the damage will be.
After gaining the courage to step out of the car I inspected the carnage. When I "Tapped" the gas pedal both ramps had shot rearword wedging themselves under the door sills about half way between the front and rear wheels.
I took my floor jack and raised the car a little, to get the ramps from under the car and inspected the underside of the car for damage. Surprisingly there was no damage to the car and only one ramp broke at the top.
Now I know what you're thinking- "That guy is a dumb@ss!" But I can assure you I've been using ramps for many years without trouble. There'* two things I should have done differently.
One- let the car roll back down the ramp before trying to go up again. Two- The ramps were on my garage floor which has very smooth concrete. The ramps have only one rubber pad on the bottom to prevent slipping. Next time I'll use ramps on my driveway which has a rough surface or put some extra rubber pads on the bottom of the ramps.
So I share my story with everyone here hoping that people are entertained but also cautious enough not to make the same mistake I did.
#3
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One of my buddies gave it too much gas right near the top and shot them out from under the wheels, no damage to the ramps or car though
what I like to do is use both feet to give it just enough brake power to not roll back so I can ease it up the ramps
what I like to do is use both feet to give it just enough brake power to not roll back so I can ease it up the ramps
#5
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I hate putting my GXP on my ramps, but have to for oil/filter changes. The only way I can use them is to put them behind the front tires and back onto them. They wont fit under the front bumper cover.
#6
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I'm glad I have easy access to a Craftsman 4 ton jack and stands to get it up in the air in the same amount of time it takes me to put it on ramps
#7
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Done that before coming back down. Not safe with jacks too. My friend put the jack on the floor board and not frame rail. Nice lump under the passengers feet.
#9
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I've shot a ramp under my car once. The ramp had some oil on the bottom where it contact the floor and as I gave it gas to move up the ramp....whoooop under the door sill it went!
#10
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True Car Nut
My dad just clean drove my tempo off the end of the ramps one time. But these were metal ramps, and did not simply slide out from under the car. Had to jack it off. BTW, if you are flinging ramps around, you'* got too much torque yo!