Jack slipped whilst jacking the car, any posibble unseen damage?

[The Fatty]

My stupid '2ton' jack that struggles to lift a 1 ton car slipped off the forum recommended jacking point on the front of the car today (the box section about 10inchs in from the sides). Basically it somehow slipped onto the flat underside bit of metal whilst being 90% jacked up. I was expecting to see the jack coming out the other side in the driver foot well, but surprisingly it took the load fine and doesn't 'look' damaged at all. But could I have caused some unseen damage? i.e. if this bit of metal bent in a bit, would it matter?

Only reason i'm bothering to ask is because I have just been for a drive, and the handling didn't feel very stable at all. But I don't know if that's because the type on 1 side have been sitting in the sun all day and thus are currently much softer than the other side and have a higher pressure in them, or if its because of the drop?

 

[The Fatty]

I believe the bit it slipped onto is called the 'floor pan'? is this even welded/secured to the square chassis beam?

 

[GrahamS]

I have just been for a drive, and the handling didn't feel very stable at all. But I don't know if that's because the type on 1 side have been sitting in the sun all day and thus are currently much softer than the other side and have a higher pressure in them, or if its because of the drop?

This is standard "Something bad happened so something must be wrong"

I wouldn't worry at all. Unless it's hit a wire or bent a pipe. Doesn't sound like that's happened so carry on camping

 

[bionic]

should be fine mate an old family friend was jacking my car up higher to gain more access and the car fell onto the axle stands bending them and the car was fine me on the other hand wasnt i lol cars are stronger then people think

 

[sbridgey]

next time jack in on the subframe bolt that connect to the beam. Much, much safer.

 

[Beasley Clio182]

Yeah i always tend to use subframe bolts works a treat ! and its prob you being paranoid ! unless its come through the floor or bent the floor don't worry!

 

[The Fatty]

Ok thanks guys. I am more worried that it has twisted the chassis, but the more I look at it, the less likely that seems possible as i'm not even sure the floor pan is of structural importance to the cars chassis. I will go out for a drive later when things have cooled down to see if it feels any better (fingers crossed it will )

 

[The Fatty]

next time jack in on the subframe bolt that connect to the beam. Much, much safer.

hmm I used to jack it there, but then got told it was a bad place to jack it as it weakens the bolts holding strength?

 

[bionic]

i doubt it would have bent the chassis mate i would have understood if it fell of a car lift lol but not a few inches

 

[Tony Hunter]

It will be fine.

 

[jenic]

I did it once on one of my old clios, jack slipped, put a dent in the footwell, I just hammered it out from the other side, was fine.

 

[Tony Hunter]

Did it crab afterwards?

 

[The Fatty]

Just a quick update on this, I took the car out today and everything felt normal again. I think maybe the poor handling was due to the 2 drivers side tyres being in the sun all afternoon and thus quite a bit warmer than the ones on the left. So if there is any damage, it doesn't seem to be noticeable Hopefully it wont come back tomorrow! lol. Thanks for all of your replies & help

 

[Wick]

I did it once on one of my old clios, jack slipped, put a dent in the footwell, I just hammered it out from the other side, was fine.

+1, and no crabbing. I actually split the floorplan from the box section, hammered it back, underseal, waxoil. Job done.

 

[Alan]

Cat D now..

 

[JDA92]

I had the same problem when I was in a garage before I jacked up a brand new Hyundai Santa Fe and somehow it slipped off the jack ( I did double check it before jacking it up) and the floor split right on the weld, main mechanic came over said dont worry and sprayed it with black underseal! so unless you can see damage underneath I wouldn't worry

 

[montana]

hmm I used to jack it there, but then got told it was a bad place to jack it as it weakens the bolts holding strength?

this is also where i jack it, i use the box section for my axle stands.
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[Carlv8415]

Where actually is the best place to jack these up? Jacking on the sills is stupid as they stupidly soft!

 

[Thrill]

Where actually is the best place to jack these up? Jacking on the sills is stupid as they stupidly soft!

Subframe bolt is fantastic place, the jack cups there nicely and doesn't slip. Then axle stands on the box section

 

[Carlv8415]

Just the large majority of Clio sports I see have Bent jacking points on the sills...

 

[Thrill]

Just the large majority of Clio sports I see have Bent jacking points on the sills...

That'll be because they've used a trolley jack on the sills, which they aren't meant for.