Cheap Tool = effed up hand - not pretty

[Wobble]

Last wed I was putting some spacers under the coil springs of a 95 chevy truck to offset the sag.

I did one side using a loaner tool from a parts house as mine had been stolen a couple of years ago. A friend started doing the other side and I walked over to make sure he had the tool on straight. It looked ok and as he tightened up the coil spring started to turn. I reached in to steady the tool so he could tighten up another inch. Right at that moment the tool failed and my hand was hit by part of the tool and possibly the tie rod as it moved back down.

The result was two fingers with compound breaks and cut tendons, one with only one break. Two plates and some pins, over 120 stitches and a trashed wedding ring.

Moral for me, When using tools in high energy situations, buy your own quality tool. I have done this type of job dozens of times on road cars and race cars.

It's expected that all my fingers will work and have the majority of the movement. 6-8 weeks for the tendons and bones then another operation to remove the plates and rehab.

The tool in the red box is like the one I used, the flat plate slipped off the bolt and came out through the side of the spring. The one with the four hooks is the kind I prefer.

I am not feeling sorry for myself, I actually feel very lucky given the potential result. Also there was a good plastic surgeon available at short notice.

[MarylandMark]

Holy Sh1t!!!

[DollaBill]

sorry to hear this bro. Hope everything heals the right way.

[Chris]

I did that once on a garage door spring. Believe me when I tell you I feel your pain.

[MacGyver]

DAMN!! Hope you heal quickly and completely.

[Sea-Dated]

Hoping a speedy recovery and glad it wasn't worse......

[Wobble]

Thanks guys, didn't need to take any pain pills and was very relieved to find out that I could still have a crown of two with the anti-biotic

[Steve 1]

Dude I am glad you are going to be ok in the long run ,Speedy recovery and My Best Regards.

[imco offshore]

sorry to here that ,,but your right, DON,T BUY CHEEP TOOLS for that type of job.. i had a friend use that exact tool and job,, the tool failed the spring sprung out of the tool and hit him in the forhead and he died in my arms in 2 minutes.

[Let 'Er Rip Cig]

Are all the cuts from the accident or are some incisions?

[Expensive Date]

Wish you a fast recovery,This is why I will only sell certain strut compressors like Branick or otc.The internal one in the right picture looks like a KD but be careful they will not work on some of the newer thicker springs.The one that failed was that an ATD or Astro?

[open72]

dam , sorry to see that ..that has got to hurt..best to you in recovery and keep that clean!

[DAREDEVIL]

WOOOUUW , hope its going to be all good. I guess that really was a time for an other drink then.

[Wobble]

sorry to here that ,,but your right, DON,T BUY CHEEP TOOLS for that type of job.. i had a friend use that exact tool and job,, the tool failed the spring sprung out of the tool and hit him in the forhead and he died in my arms in 2 minutes.

I am sorry for your loss, I can not begin to imagine what it was like to lose a friend in such a manner.


I was well aware of the danger generally speaking and had just got done explaining how important it was to have the tool exactly square inside the spring at all times.

I hadn't seen the tool with the plate before and didn't fully appreciate the potential.

I chose not to separate the knuckle from the a arm as there was so much preload and also I wanted the spring contained.

[Wobble]

Are all the cuts from the accident or are some incisions?

the cuts across the first joints on the first two fingers and strangely a deep one between the first and second were the original damage. I had to pull on the end of my first finger to get the bone back inside so I could wrap my hand for the drive to the emergency room.

The rest of it is from the reconstruction.

[Perlmudder]

yikes! glad you are alright!

[MacGyver]

Product failure? I'd be making a few phone calls.

[Wobble]

Product failure? I'd be making a few phone calls.

The tool didn't break as such, it was a loaner from a parts house. I did let them know that they would be better off if they upgraded.

As far as liability goes. I consider it to be my fault.

[MacGyver]

The tool didn't break as such, it was a loaner from a parts house. I did let them know that they would be better off if they upgraded.

As far as liability goes. I consider it to be my fault.

Thanks for the clarification. Hopefully they upgrade and nothing like this ever happens again.

[runninhotracing]

Wishing you a speedy recovery Bro


ROCK ON !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ITS A SKATER NATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!