Do not use the factory trunk jack!

These horror stories have been posted on here before about how unsafe the svx's trunk jack is. They collapse all the time it seems, so much so, that it's earned the name "danger jack" around my household. Even so, I was switching the wheels from my sold black svx to our new white one, and only had one decent jack, so i decided to try my luck with the danger jack. Well, my luck ran out. The jack bent and collapsed under the weight of the SVX, and when it did, it flew up around and really messed up the fender.

[Mike621]

At least it was the fender that already needed replacing...

[Hocrest]

Did you have the wheels chocked? Did the car shift and cause the collapse or did it just decide to crunch???

Originally Posted by Hocrest

Did you have the wheels chocked? Did the car shift and cause the collapse or did it just decide to crunch???

I'm not entirely sure what happened. My neighbor was doing the switch and I was in the other room when it actually happened.

[DreamingOfSpeed]

Has anyone written to the NHTSA about the jacks? If they get enough complaints about them and any injuries they will do an investigation and recall if needed. I've read their complaint files about the SVX and i've never seen anything about the jack. I'll post a link later for those who want to complain.

I didnt know there was a problem with it. When we jack up my car i always worry b/c we use jacks that are rated for just under the weight of the svx. I thought using the trunk jack would be better b/c subaru designed if for the weight of a subaru! I think i'll just get another heavy duty jack for the the svx and pitch the trunk jack. (not like i'm ever going to need it to change the tire on the side of the road!)

[Speedklix]

I really hate the design of our jacks... but it really shouldn't "collapse" unless the jack was't 90 degrees to pavment. The car rolling slightly could put it at such an angle that the jack bent off to one side. (which i'm sure is why someone asked if the wheels where choked) It is like jack stands.. they can support a lot of vertical weight, but are usless on their side. But still... with a regular jack (even scissor) this would probably not be an issue.

Sorry to hear about your fender, hope the wheel was on and no one was injured.

[AppStateSVX]

wow, good thing I never used the one off my old SVX, it was old and rusted anyways

[Electrophil]

Originally Posted by Green1995SVX

These horror stories have been posted on here before about how unsafe the svx's trunk jack is. The jack bent and collapsed under the weight of the SVX, and when it did, it flew up around and really messed up the fender.

Oh my gosh!!

I never knew that! I'm glad I've never tried to use one before.

Dude!! Bad break!!

[n00b on demand]

wow that really sucks man

[TomsSVX]

No offense guys but when the Jack is used properly in conjunction with the supplied wheel chocks, there is not an issue with it folding sideways. So far I have had to use the stock jack 3 times to fix flats or just raise the car with no problem. Just gotta use wheel chocks thats all

Tom

[dannmarr]

I play it safe, I bought an aluminum 2 ton garage jack for all my cars. It's light, fast and strong.

[Mike621]

If they are still present in our cars :-P

[TomsSVX]

I have a set of aluminum ones.... another part that I scavnged off my brother's Z hahaha burning stuff

Tom

[-JJ-]

i have used the stock jack heaps, with out the chocs.... never had a prob

[SubaRyu]

I've used mine many times too w/o the chocks since it was missing from the SVX I've never had problem.....yet. I guess I was lucky? I always look for very safe and leveled surface when I work with the jack, and work only very short amount of time possible. Still haven't used the jack in my new SVX, so this whole collapsing jack thing is good know.