Jackstands and self propelled Creepers

[Rick Parker]

With the weather attempting to co-operate and thinking that it will be rendering some decent driving weather soon I thought I should get after my Winter projects before Summer arrives
I normally put the car up on jackstands for the winter months. Today I rolled under the back to appraise what was going to be necessary to remove the ring & pinion to cure a minor leak and begin wiping down the frame and related items. While laying on my back on the Creepeer and wiping components within my extended reach I turned my head back just in time to look up at a friggn HUGE Back Widow Spider lowering itself on a thread of web from up above the rear axle and was now about 10" above my face. This thing was big enough to be carrying a suitcase! I quickly, no I actually "Jetisoned" out from beneath the car. Once out from under the car I rolled over to look back at the spider which had stopped and was now hanging about 8" off the ground. That was enough for the day, I went in, got the Black Flag, sprayed the web and called it a day. WHEW!!!!!!!!

[dcdoug]

That'll make you a bit tentative when you next get under the car.

I'd be wearing mechanics gloves if I were you. Might want to take that baby for a nice high speed spin before spending more time under it to clear out any additional family members (I guess only babies since the female eats the male).

[Ron61]

Rick,

Just be happy that you spotted the spider before it bit you. I never had that problem when I had mine and kept it up on the ramps, but I was also under it every few days doing something so the spiders never got a chance to move in. Also I really don't have many spiders around here.

Ron

[Rick Parker]

Family members are not being asked to return!

[twobjshelbys]

Old wives tale is that a mechanic was asked to look at a thumping sound and found a rattle snake wrapped around the axle.

[Tom Wells]

Rick,

Turned out to be not nearly as scary as your experience, but check here about 1/2 way down the page:

http://www.firstcoastcobraclub.com/v...lit=widow#p542

Might give you an idea of what else to look for when you quit hyperventilating and re-approach your car

Just check to see she didn't leave you any presents....

Tom

[Aussie Mike]

My Cobra has been up on the hoist for the past week and I walked into the workshop the other night to have a look under it. It was a bit dark and I walked through a spiders web that was strung underneath it. I then proceed to have an Arachnoleptic fit. That's the jerky dance you do when you are trying to get the web off you and check if the spider is on you somewhere.

We have a few nasty spiders down here. Red Backs are pretty common in the shed. They are an Aussie cousin of your Black Widow.



Cheers

[blykins]

I don't like spiders...

Glad you saw it Rick, that could have been a trip to the ER.

[Rick Parker]

I think the 60 ft time would have been impressive!!!

[Ron61]

So would the BROWN burn out streak left behind.

Ron