Normally I take my car to my parents since they have a pretty nice car port with air tools and such. However, it's a chore to drive there sometime but it's my only option unless I want to pay a shop.

I was curious if anyone who works on their car on a gravel driveway? Could you just lay a few pieces of plywood where the jack-stands would be?

I hesitated asking because I feel like a nincompoop, but I rather ask and learn then never know.

 

Yes, Put down plywood on all jackstands and the jack itself. This is what we do in the Paddock at race tracks that have gravel. It's not stupid to prevent a car from crushing your head :-)

 

i wouldnt trust plywood. You could use pathway stones from HD or Lowes. Maybe 10in x 10in hell id even sink them in the driveway and level them out. Or get with the HD or lowes diy team and learn how to frame up some same conceret pads

 

Thanks for the responses! Going to look into may building a more secure "platform" then just plywood.

 

It depends on the what type of plywood of course. 3/4" plywood would be fine for a floor jack. Jack stands probably don't need anything under them as long as they are level and get a good bite. You can also get 1" thick rubber matting used in horse stalls at places like Tractor Supply, that would work quite well.

 

We use 3/4 inch plywood or 1x8s under our jacks when we need to change tires on soft ground... We did however just get some fancy *** air bag jacks that are great but super unstable unless you chalk both wheels...

Growing up I never had a paved driveway to work on so I used lots of plywood and blankets and stuff to lay on top of... Never had a car as low as the z though so it might be extra tricky getting the car high enough... I would say drive on ramps are your friend... And big *** blocks of wood..

I only had 1 car violently fall from its perch of multiple stacked cinder blocks.. It was basically a frame with the engine and transmission still attached... I think I bumped it with something or did a im a dumbass look how strong I am I can lift up a half taken apart truck by hand and it went down like the titanic.

 

Picture of air jack in action.




Disclaimer this is not the proper way to use this air jack I just thought it was the easiest way to get this car out of a big *** open hole in a construction zone that someone decided to drive into.

 

Plywood is better than concrete paving slabs. They tend to be unreinforced and very brittle. On uneven ground it would probably break. Plywood is flexible and strong 3/4" ply) and would more easily conform to uneven surfaces. Never use cinderblock or concrete blocks. Seen those break like nothing.


My car port has a slight slope. I always chock my wheels, use good jack stands, shake the car vigorously when it's up and leave the jack under the car just in case. I like my head round...

 

I can't get my big trucks in either of my garages I use 3/4 plywood and jack stands and my 1 ton dually weighs close to 8000lbs never had a prob. Paver stones will break do not use them.

 

I would do things the right way, I would not want to chance my life in this scenario just find a safe spot to work on your car if that means driving to your parents house than do that. if 1 jackstand malfunctions and the 3500 lb car falls on you you'll either be in the hospital with a huge bill that you will never be able to pay off, and or dead.

 

Yea, I did exactly what you said. It's warm enough to use the motorcycle to go back and forth while my car is at my parents. I'm installing test pipes / exhaust and decided to make it a multi-day process so I don't kill myself.

Thank you everyone for the suggestions, I'm just too paranoid.

 

Have lumpy backs!