Wobble
Charter Member
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.
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.
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