My jack is stuck. The lever that is used to release the jack can’t get back into the hole because of the funky angle it is at. I’ve tried releasing it with sockets or pliers, but nothing fits or can get a proper grip.
So, I’m thinking of using alternate jack points. Right now, recommended jack point at the front of the car is taken by the jack, and underneath the front of both doors are taken by Jackstands.
Where else might be a safe jack point if I can get my hands on an alternate jack? It is most likely going to be a scissor jack.
Or any ideas on how to release the jack?
Car: 1999 Honda Accord
Jack: Harbor Freight Aluminum 2 ton jack low profile.
I found a way! On the jack. There is a hidden panel that has a shaft connected to the jack mechanism. Removed the panel, and used a pair of hose pliers to twist it. As Scotty says, when there is a will, there is a way.
If the handle won’t go in, how did you get it out?
Initially, I took the handle out to create space. Right before I took it out, the part it connects to was parallel to the ground. When I went to take out the handle, that part spring buck up to 90 degrees. The jack was too far under the car to reattach the handle. And the jack wouldn’t budge up with out the leverage of the handle. Nor could it budge down because the release mechanism is part of the stick.
After trying pliers, sockets, anything I had to try to release the mechanism, it wouldn’t work. But then, I saw there was a panel I could remove, that didn’t seem Intergral to the stability of the jack. Removed the panel, and used some hose pliers to clamp down on the “shaft” and rotated the direction it needed to go to release the jack down. Got lucky. Otherwise I would have needed to somehow rejack the car higher.