Broken Jack

[epyx]

So this saturday I was decided to put on the ER smics I had ordered. Everything went pretty smoothly. Used the jack out of the truck and jack stands to get the car off the ground. After everything was put back together and I was lowering the the car back down, the threaded bar that is in the Jack just snaped in half! Well this of course send my car crashing back down to the ground.

Everything looked to be fine at first, but I later noticed that my fender dosent line up with my hood anymore :( The hood sits lower than the fender and the fender isent snug against the A piller anymore...Not cool.

So now I'm left with a broken jack and an ill fitting fender, with no idea of what to do next. Do you guys think I could get anywhere if I took the car into a dealer, or maybe lodged a complaint with Audi of America? Im just glad that no one was hurt...

[SLC_S4]

The jack that came with the car isn't really made for what you were using it for. It's basically just to get the car high enough to remove a tire. I would look for a good hydraulic jack.

[GunSupplier]

Glad you're OK.

The jack provided in the trunk is well-known for being a completely useless piece of metal. It's hard to set-up correctly, and is made of the thinnest, cheapest stamped steel. There have been numerous instances of them either bending, showing signs of bending, or just breaking (like what happened to you).

You could try to contact Audi, but I doubt they'll help you out in any way. It was a pretty big issue at some point with the jacks, but I don't think Audi acknowledged it as a problem.

Good luck with whatever you do.

[AudiXS4X01]

The jack that came with the car isn't really made for what you were using it for. It's basically just to get the car high enough to remove a tire. I would look for a good hydraulic jack.

well he can just say that he was changing out a tire...

[epyx]

The jack that came with the car isn't really made for what you were using it for. It's basically just to get the car high enough to remove a tire. I would look for a good hydraulic jack.

I would have if I had one available at the time :(

[SLC_S4]

I would have if I had one available at the time :(

I realize that, I'm just saying now would be a good time to invest in one for next time. What happened sucks, and I'm sorry to hear it. It just makes me cringe to imagine my car falling to the ground. Good luck with whatever you decide to do though.

[RogueStatus]

ownd by the Widow-Maker!

that sucks,sorry to hear. thats why it is named the "widow-maker".

i only use it to get my car onto another jack because the widow maker is the only jack that will fit under my car. then when i get it up about 2 inches i slide in another jack.

[GunSupplier]

I realize that, I'm just saying now would be a good time to invest in one for next time.

You're right, but the emergency kit jack is dangerous for even lifting the car to change a tire. Not only does it border on ridiculously unstable on anything except the flattest ground, but it's also weak. There used to be pictures circulating on another forum of multiple people having bent theirs, just lifting one side of the car.

*EDIT*
Widow-maker, indeed.

[Das General]

Why are you jacking up the car to take the intercoolers off?

[Jung]

Why are you jacking up the car to take the intercoolers off?

my question exactly.. you dont need to jack it up.. only need to take the bumper off.

[RogueStatus]

Why are you jacking up the car to take the intercoolers off?

[Jung]

? o lawds is dat some nipple i spy in the avi?

[epyx]

my question exactly.. you dont need to jack it up.. only need to take the bumper off.

Easier to work on for me so therefore its easier on my hip, being young and having arthrites is no fun :(

[Das General]

You need Boniva. Call my girl Sally Fields, she will hook it up.

[RogueStatus]

? o lawds is dat some nipple i spy in the avi?

nope,just a dark spot. her nipple is covered

[RogueStatus]

p.s.- to the OP...you and this guy should hang out:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238731

...or at least collab on a widowmaker lawsuit

[CruzS4]

i had to change a tire in DC once (states away from where i live), and once i had the spare on and tightened the bolts, the audi jack just crumpled like a soda can, f*cking up my side skirt, almost severing my hand

[Audi S4 Turbo]

p.s.- to the OP...you and this guy should hang out:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238731

...or at least collab on a widowmaker lawsuit

I was just about to post this link. Damn you hah

[RogueStatus]

I was just about to post this link. Damn you hah

beat you haha

[gaspeedracer]

Wow this is a coincidence. I actually had to replace my tire yesterday with the jack and it held up well. But after hearing this story I'll definetly be using my roadside assistance haha.

[AudiSportB5S4]

post a pic of your fender, its usually easy to realign but i need a pic for reference to tell you what to do... do you know how to post pictures?

[Audi Juice]

Even our newer B7's are still plagued with this problem. Take a look

AKA the "widow maker"

http://www.audizine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238764

[epyx]

post a pic of your fender, its usually easy to realign but i need a pic for reference to tell you what to do... do you know how to post pictures?

Ill have to take some pictures. Wont be until tomorrow though, but until then heres a pic of the poor jack and a comparison of the ERs to the stock ics.

[Kschroers1]

Yup im the one who got hit by the Widow Maker. I dont know what im gonna do about it though. Kinda out of clues unless you were wanting to contact AoA about it as well. Kinda clueless until tomorrow morning and i talk to some of my management. Here's the pics of the Widow Makers justice:

[epyx]

Yup im the one who got hit by the Widow Maker. I dont know what im gonna do about it though. Kinda out of clues unless you were wanting to contant AoA about it as well. Kinda clueless until tomorrow morning and i talk to some of my management. Here's the pics of the Widow Makers justice:

I'm going to try and call tomorow and Ill let you know how it goes. Let me know what you hear.

[Kschroers1]

I'm going to try and call tomorow and Ill let you know how it goes. Let me know what you hear.

Will do. Sounds good to me. I think i'm gonna play the smooth talking asshole and not a loud piece of shit to them.

[Kschroers1]

Well i got off the phone with AoA today around 3:30 my time and everything so far is going good i guess. They sympathized my wrist and everything that has happen. I went through 2 people before they made the decision to have the Regional Rep contact me within 2 business days, but i'll probably be called tomorrow because of my injury that was involved. The audi techs at work said to "act like a 14 year old stupid blonde and dont be mean to them. just be loyal". Thats what i did and so far im pretty far in the books. I also mentioned that a possible recall should sent out due to this or a bulletin. But i mentioned about the problems that everyone has had on here and so far it is all going good. Will notify you guys the updates as soon as im contacted.

[epyx]

Sounds promising. I dident have time to call today, work was hell :( Ill have to try and fit it in on monday.

[oneohone]

Man them widowmakers can bite!

[goody6691]

just dont say anything about using the jack to work on your car. it is intended for emergency tire changes only. my buddy did the same thing with his vw. we worked for vw at the time. he told the rep what he was doing and they wouldnt cover it because he was using it for the wrong reasons. good luck.