Car Jack bent and Car fell today.... any help?
 

I have a 1998 A4 Audi and I changed a tire for the first time today(with this car). When I put the car up using Audi's supplied jack the Car jack started to bend to the right and then the car slipped down of the jack. I am OK... Luckily because I have fast feet. I was on a flat surface and I did use someone elses jack in the neigborhood that I ended up. I just wanted to know if this is a major problem with Audi's Jacks?

Thanks,

Michael

Was the car on a level surface when you jacked it up?
 

Also, if you jacked it up too high, it tends to become more sensitive to an imbalanced load (such as that created by jacking the car up when it is on an incline/decline). Was the emergency brake on? If it wasn't, the car could have rolled slightly making it appear that the jack was "bending".

I've also had some trouble jacking up the rear wheel of my old car in the garage. The tends to slide about 1/2" on the jack while jacking it up...always when jacking the rear wheel, never the front.

Re: Was the car on a level surface when you jacked it up?
 

The car was on a Level surface and I did not have the Jack up to high.... Was there ever a recall for the jack?

Not to my knowledge...perusing these forums for the last six months, this is the first
 

time I have ever heard of this...that's why I was suggesting other causes. Sorry I can't be more help.

Does the jack appear to be physically damaged in anyway? Is it bent...is it possible it was this way before the incident? Ask your dealer to pull one out of a car on the lot and do a side by side compare to see if there is anything obvious wrong with the jack. Whether they replace it or not, as them to jack up your car using whatever jack they leave you driving off the lot with.

I don't mean to imply that you are doing something wrong, but the fact is that it is possible. If you watch them do it, maybe you'll find out (or maybe they will repeat your results...in which case they have to do something about it!).

Are you sure you placed the jack in the right position...
 

If you put it too close to the side skirts, they bent under the weight and the jack gives....Had that happen with a preevious car. Luckily dealer replaced free of charge. :-)<p><A href="http://registry.audiworld.com/audi/registry/details.asp?car=4586">
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it's a good idea to have your own platform...
 

I keep a piece of 3/4" plywood, about 6"x6" in the car, to use as a jack platform on, e.g., muddy areas, or soft asphalt. Don't know if it would have helped here, but....

I used the jack on my 98 several times to change tires, etc., and had no problem if the ground was firm & flat and the jack was in the right spot...

Re: Car Jack bent and Car fell today.... any help?
 

Same thing actually happened to me but it was my mistake. I did not fully engage the parking brake and put it in gear. Stupid me. I've changed tires a thousand times and it just takes one lapse in judgement and POW... I brought it back to the dealer and they replaced it under warranty. Make sure you check your heat shield on your brakes. They may be bent unless you didn't get to removing the wheel yet. Sorry to hear about your mishap.

Skywalker
99.5 A4 1.8T QMS
Brilliant Black