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Old Oct 22, 2013 | 02:19 PM
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ala_xfire
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,780
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From: Lineville, AL
Default Most stupid car mistake I ever made

Feel free to join in and get it off your chest - you'll be surprised how much better it makes you feel

OK, here goes :
Years back when I was living in Atlanta, I had a sloping driveway from the street up to the garage. One day I decided I'd put the 1990 Suburban up on front wheel ramps and replace that noisy driveshaft center bearing.
Here are the stupid mistakes I made :
#3 - I didn't set the parking brake.
#2 - I didn't chock the rear wheels.
and finally #1, which ALMOST cost me my life : I went under the 'burb on a roll dolly ( the only smart thing I did that day ), removed the 2 U-bolt retainers from the U joint to differential, then tried to remove the drive shaft, wouldn't budge. So being the incredible genius that I am, I roll out and go get a pry bar and roll back in.
Well, long story short, the prybar did work, and the 'burb starts down the ramps heading for the street. I grab the frame and go along for the ride, until I remember that at the street, the drive makes quite a decent descent at the curb.
So being on the dolly, I start heading out the side by grabbing more frame parts and clear the thing just before it takes a big bounce at the street.

It rolls across the street and fetches up on the opposite curb, no damage done.
I re-attach the drive shaft and bring it back home.

If you haven't seen the big mistake here, the Suburban is an automatic, the parking pawl was all that was holding it on the ramps ( via the drive shaft / diff / rear tires ).

Whew, I feel better now, but also am now aware that my god-like credibility on this forum will be forever compromised.
 
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