I have seen this happen on a friends drive way. It was a warm day on a tarmac driveway and both the axle stands and jack started to sink into the tarmac slightly.

When I'm working under the car I like to put a couple of bricks under the wheels just in case, and chock the wheels that are still on the ground.

I have to agree with Russ H about letting other people work on my car. Yes there are people like Chris Franklin who are passionate about cars and working on them, but most people in the industry (like any walk of life) are there because it's their job.

I'm nervous about letting Honda near my car

 

get some decent axle stands then

i have some stands that have feet on them... http://www.wjadistributors.switchpg....es/JACK-02.jpg. they dont sink into the ground after any amount of use. cost was about the going rate - £20 area.

 

I use bits of wood under mine as well, I have plastic tiles in the garage so it is a must, and I have some good axle stands that lift the car nearly half a metre! Helps me get my keg of a gut under the car...

 

I have a carpeted workshop (yes, really) so it's actually quite comfy under the car

I also enjoy working on cars, the Clio takes a lot of TLC (sequential 'box means gearbox oil change after every outing for instance) so comfort is important.

But with the Clio being so low I always have a couple of wheels under the car with me to catch it should the worst happen.

 

I will not work under a car unless its supported by wood.

My late father had railway sleepers cut at an angle to form four ramps - their height was suitable for most of the usual under-car tasks. Simple, cheap and dependable.

 

I stick 4 tyres and Lee underneath.

 

Funny the comment above about the feet, I am going to measure up for and get 4 triangles of 3mm MS plate and weld them on the bottom of my stands

 

Not looking forward to getting under Pip's S this weekend...GULP

She isn't a fan of standing around whilst working on the car, but there's no feckin' way I'm going under there without a safety number.

 

it doesn't have to be triangles; can just be 2-3" round feet; the idea is to spread the weight!

what is it with people fearing working under their car?
do you not trust the welds on your axle stands? bad experience? internet horror stories?
i'm not knocking your ways - better to be over cautious than squished, just curious as to the caution...

 

He's not kidding either......

I think it maybe to do with my svelte stature more than his risk appetite though