Safe Jack Stand Recommendation

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Mar 18, 2018
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Mississippi
I have two pairs of jack stands from HF. One pair has been recalled. Do you think I feel safe now using the identical pair that were not recalled just because there are different number written on them? Not a chance. What is a safe set of jack stands used by people who work under cars on a regular basis?
 
I don't work on a regular basis but I often will grab a stack of cut 2x8's and use that as cribbage. Probably do that more often than jack stands. I feel that, wit ha larger base than can't sink into soft ground, and a larger contact point on the frame, it might be safer--under an axle though the stand might be better.

I have a couple sets of cheapo HF's and then a "big" set of American stands whose name escapes me.
 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^



I use a 6 by 6 salt treated wood block and a 4 by 4 inch salt treated wood block too... Works very well.
 
Do you know why it was recalled? If they had substandard material in the welds you'd never know by looking. Of course that swings both ways-- the "good" set may not have had its achilles heel discovered yet.

And it's not a brand or COO thing, they can all make a bad batch. Just be happy we're more litigious now than we were 40 years ago when we didn't think about such things, which makes recalls over "small things" more likely.
 
Depending on your preference, ESCO and US Jack are good choices. Both units have come under quality control scrutiny every now and then over at garagejournal.com.
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Originally Posted by eljefino
Do you know why it was recalled? If they had substandard material in the welds you'd never know by looking. Of course that swings both ways-- the "good" set may not have had its achilles heel discovered yet.

And it's not a brand or COO thing, they can all make a bad batch. Just be happy we're more litigious now than we were 40 years ago when we didn't think about such things, which makes recalls over "small things" more likely.


You can read the Recall Notices from NHTSA

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCLRPT-20E027-9959.PDF
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCLRPT-20E016-6561.PDF

Quote
it was determined that product quality was inconsistent due to aging of the tooling and inconsistent location indexing of the pawl armature hole.



Official Harbor freight info https://em.harborfreight.com/pub/cc...t13fkngc0uk504ge21dqqp3v6ac2f8l9ac03vj0

Quote
there is a potential, while under load and with a shift in weight, for the pawl to disengage from the extension lifting post, allowing the stand to drop suddenly.



[Linked Image]
 
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Originally Posted by eljefino
Do you know why it was recalled? If they had substandard material in the welds you'd never know by looking. Of course that swings both ways-- the "good" set may not have had its achilles heel discovered yet.

And it's not a brand or COO thing, they can all make a bad batch. Just be happy we're more litigious now than we were 40 years ago when we didn't think about such things, which makes recalls over "small things" more likely.


IIRC, supposedly worn tooling caused the teeth on the ratcheting load bar To be too shallow to completely engage the pawl. I think it affected the HF 6 ton stands made during a certain period of time.

As for a "safer" jack stand, I have the double pawl US Jack 6 ton stands which are nice. A decade ago, the 6 ton stands were rated PER stand. However, more recently, I think they have converted to national standards, and have now labeled the same stands as PER PAIR (US JACK D-41610 6 Ton Garage Stands Made In USA https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P248NYO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_VAhXEb92THC3D). Alternatively, I would consider the ratcheting jack stands with the secondary pin that can be inserted. (Something like this: Pro-LifT T-6906D Double Pin Jack Stand - 6 Ton, 1 Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074R17GL4/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_CuhXEbMWSBZC5 )There are multiple labels that do this now. Pin only engaged stands are usually beefier too. (Sunex 1210 10-Ton Low Height Pin Type Jack Stands, Pair https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0093NBQ7G/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_szhXEb1WEQNHJ)

I'm any case, if I'm working under the car, there are usually 2 different sets of jack stands - the ones in use, and a backup pair (placed under say where the control arms join with the subframe just in case.
 
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Thanks for posting this. I wasn't aware of the recall and just checked my jack stands and they are recalled. I'll probably get another set of HF stands.
 
Originally Posted by ajchien
. I think it affected the HF 6 ton stands made during a certain period of time.




I'm going to correct myself, there are both 3 and 6 ton stands included in the recall.
 
I have some 12x12x12 or larger wood chunks I made out of tree trunks I cut down. I toss them under there, on either side of me whenever I have to get under a car... so I use any old jack (in working condition) without fear.

But yes, if it was recalled, back it would go.
 
I remember looking at these in person. The notch where the paw sits was narrow, decently more narrow than the one I now have. I have the torin 3 ton with the locking pin. They are pretty sturdy. I also have the 2 ton walmart ones, which are made by torin. I should have gotten the aluminum pin style. The esco was too expensive and the aluminum torin version had a narrow base IMO. Both have good reviews though.
 
I have 3 ton Larin stands. Dad has the 6 ton. No complaints but they have a large cradle. Probably not the best for some cars.

These are the pin style. Not ratcheting like the HF models.
 
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