Eff the widowmaker (OEM jack)...what do you do?

[sakimano]

I know we all have a nice jack in the garage for working on the car, but based on the horror stories about the OEM jack...a.k.a. the widowmaker...what do you keep in the car in case you get a flat?

Or do you just rock the widowmaker, and pray for no flats...and not to die if you have to use it? Catastrophic jack failure at the side of the road could result in many awful things, not the least of which is your rotors digging into pavement.

[Stone825]

I rock the stock jack. Although if a friend calls me and asks for help changing a tire I will throw my nice jack in the car.

[whartung]

I rock the stock jack. Although if a friend calls me and asks for help changing a tire I will throw my nice jack in the car.

exactly the same for me.

[gapreece]

I bought my S4 without a jack. It looks like the previous owner tried to use it and it bent the underside where the jack goes. I am wondering what people do as well. What about a scissor jack like most cars have. Maybe we could find one that is stronger and more stable, but not too heavy.

[Papachristou]

my OEM POS folded while i was 100 feet away at the toolbox in an aircraft hanger (perfectly flat, zero wind) took a nice chunk out of my door blade... costs me a couple hundred for replace and repaint

nice aluminum jack stays bunjeed up in the trunk...... can you imagine having to use a windowmaker on the side of a unlevel road, shoulder or on grass/gravel? fuck that POS

[handyvorb]

^^ Uhh that's pretty scary...

[whartung]

^^ Uhh that's pretty scary...

no kidding...

[B6JoeS4]

I use one of those small bottle jacks. I think it will do 3 tons. Only problem is that it barely fits under the car on stock suspension. Won't be able to use it when I putt springs on

[ryannorthcott]

i've used it to take off a wheel, but i would NEVER use it for anything else, and i try to be real quick when changing a flat

[b6onboost]

The OEM jack is perfectly fine for a quick roadside tire change. What it isn't good for is being your garage jack that you use when working on the car. I wouldn't go the distance of carrying a better (bukly) jack in the trunk, but for home use its a great investment.

[ALWAYS4UDI]

since my kitted and slammed A4 days, i rock this thing in the trunk any time i'm road tripping. IT IS A GOD-SEND!

2.5 ton low-pro jack FTW...
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070921x00003a

[Bravest NY S4]

I keeps it real with the widow!

[gapreece]

Here is what I have for the garage that goes down to 2 and 1/4" without the saddle. I love it!

[joeycuccaro]

I don't have a spare tire in the trunk so if i get a flat i have to wait until roadside comes and gives me a lift home.

[evil_O]

I don't have a spare tire in the trunk so if i get a flat i have to wait until roadside comes and gives me a lift home.

+1

[ieatfishburitos]

I've used the widowmaker on the side of a freeway, in the rocks up off the road on an angle. Worked great because I'm a real man...

[bsrpilot44]

That's what roadside assistance is there for. No need to make an already more dangerous situation more dangerous. Furthermore, I don't even have a spare

-B

[trex000]

I use him:

[justinperkins]

it's seriously not that bad if you respect it

lift on level ground and don't under any circumstances put any body parts under the vehicle

put the spare tire under there as a last save in the event that the jack tips over

[Eddie Man]

The OEM jack is perfectly fine for a quick roadside tire change. What it isn't good for is being your garage jack that you use when working on the car. I wouldn't go the distance of carrying a better (bukly) jack in the trunk, but for home use its a great investment.

Totally agree...
When in need to use it, one must find a flat even surface to minimize any issues w/it.

[caitovS4]

That's what roadside assistance is there for. No need to make an already more dangerous situation more dangerous. Furthermore, I don't even have a spare

-B

No spare here either.

I do carry a bottle of Slime and a 12V inflator though.
If that can't get me on my way, I'm having it towed.

[ClarkSJ]

Two ton scissor jack on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/2-TON-CAR-AUTO-A...d=p3286.c0.m14

[Sharkfin]

I used my OEM one once in a parking lot to change a rim, it collapsed and the whole car almost fell on me but luckily I had one or two wheel bolts keeping the wheel on and the car off the ground. I got it replaced under warranty and have it in the trunk but I have a 1.5 ton in the trunk at all times.

That jack (from advanced auto, made in taiwan) then broke on me when doing work on my front end, so I got it replaced under warranty at advanced auto. Now I'm frightened to use any jack lol. The only heavy duty jack that would work for my lowered car is a slim fit one and I didn't want to drop the extra coin at the time.

[Irish311]

I used my OEM one once in a parking lot to change a rim, it collapsed and the whole car almost fell on me but luckily I had one or two wheel bolts keeping the wheel on and the car off the ground. I got it replaced under warranty and have it in the trunk but I have a 1.5 ton in the trunk at all times.

That jack (from advanced auto, made in taiwan) then broke on me when doing work on my front end, so I got it replaced under warranty at advanced auto. Now I'm frightened to use any jack lol. The only heavy duty jack that would work for my lowered car is a slim fit one and I didn't want to drop the extra coin at the time.

A "slim fit" jack? What is that? Is that just another way of saying 'low profile?'

[Leeber]

I ditched the spare for weight. So I gotta wait on roadside assistance. But on trips I throw it in and use the trusty widowmaker, I'm not to worried and I hear life insurance pays double if you die in a scissor jack accident!

[ClarkSJ]

And this is what I use now in the garage after two of the lightweight Torin jacks failed:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...5429_200345429

Arcan 3.5 ton, 21 inch lift. Yes, over 100 lbs., but peace of mind is not light when it comes to jacks and jackstands. I got it with free shipping, BTW

[Sharkfin]

A "slim fit" jack? What is that? Is that just another way of saying 'low profile?'

You are correct. (btw the patriots suck )