Hi all,

I stupidly, stupidly jacked up my car on the chassis rail near the joining welds thinking it’d be strong enough.

Turns out it’s not and it’s crushed/buckled slightly and to say I’m gutted is an understatement as the rails were perfectly straight. It’s making my teeth itch knowing it’s there!

So, can anyone tell me if this damage is repairable? and by who? Body shop, welder, PDR?

many thanks in advance!

 

 

It isn't pretty and not a proper way to jack a vehicle, but I think you are safe in terms of vehicle having structural integrity. Nothing to worry about IMO, just try to avoid further damage to that spot in the future. Maybe put some coating on that spot to reduce chance of corrosion.

 

I agree it won't cause you any problems, but I'd get it fixed at a proper body shop, and some undercoating after that. Shouldn't be all that expensive.

 

Be happy you did not try jacking it up in the wrong spot near the front tires and buckled the fender! That will make someone cry let alone teeth itch.

I have some 2X4s that are beveled and drive up on them so I can get my jack under the front and use the center jack point under the engine to lift it there. The diff works to raise the back end. Jack stands keep it there. Easy and safe.

 

I try to use center jack points. But sometimes you want to just lift one side, then set jack stand.

But to get stand stand under side jack point, you must jack from a different side point. This forces you to use unibody frame.

In the photos, it appears issue was jack pad didn't spread the load enough. Pad didn't fully span frame rail. The vertical box sections form a beam, which should be plenty strong. But pad has to apply load to both sides of box section.

A well placed 2x4 would not only ensure spanning both sides of box, it'd also spread load across a longer section of rail.

 

I try to use a hockey puck between the stand and the frame. To reduce metal-to-metal contact.