Don't get under your vehicle with these stands until you fix them......This pin fell out after I let the Jeep down . Scary , Your welcome...


This is all that holds the pressure on these stands !

Don't do this either.
No the screw is just to keep the parts together, I'm going to bore the hole and put in stainless pins....

 

That does look bad.... I use the Duralast stands and they seem to be pretty good quality. I think they are the same price as the HF ones too. Something like $20 for 2.

 

You buy cheap, expect cheap.
I have used my HF jack stands multiple times. Never had a issue. Things wear or are faulty from the factory. Thanks for bringing this up.

 

It's tough to find good jack stands anymore. I've got some older Hein Werner and Snap-on jack stands that I use. They will be around for a long, long time. If you are looking for quality stands, I think that US Jack makes some decent stuff. If I ever have to replace, that is what I will get. I want to be able to trust the stands that support the vehicle I am working on underneath. They are about 150-200 for the 3 & 6 ton stands. Less than the cost of an ER visit.

 

Not true. That pin connects the locking cam to the handle so it releases when you lift the handle. If the cam is in the 'down' position (which you should always ensure it is before lowering the vehicle) the cam will lock and support the vehicle ....and stay locked. But when you go to unlock it, the handle will move freely w/o the pin and not lift the cam unless you do it with your finger. I had one do the same thing years ago.

Now, if you REALLY want a surprise, I had one where the cast iron shaft of the main support broke in half! That was years ago, I have a picture of it somewhere if I could find the file. Fortunately I heard it break, the vehicle didn't fall and I got the jack back under it in time. ha ha... Part of it was attributed to me lowering the vehicle at an angle (but you'd think it should be able to handle it -- most do). Regardless, I almost always leave a jack at least partially under a vehicle even with jackstands while working underneath. The belt and suspenders approach.

I have several sets of HF jackstands, never had problems other than the one time. The best jackstands I have are Taiwan made and cost a fair amount more. But the quality of the casting (and paint) is very good. They were on sale somewhere. Harbor Freight is the biggest and has SO much buying power, they get the best of the best quality (of import tools). So if I were buying Chinese tools, I'd buy them at HF. You buy them at swap meets and those guys don't usually take them back or make things 'right'. I've seen it first hand multiple times. HF will (within reasonable limits).

 

That roll pin is what retains the release handle inside the pawl. Failure of the pin will not cause the stand to release, unless you also manage to pull the handle out of the pawl as well. One warning on jack stands is that the cheap brands specify the capacity by the pair. So that set rated at 3000 lbs is only 1500 lb each. Also, never trust a jackstand by itself. Use at least with a floor the jack or a extra stands if you're underneath. I typically stick the wheel under the edge if I'm doing brakes as an added measure.

The Harbor Freight spring compressor is pretty dangerous, btw. The set I bought bent the first time I used them.

 

I just fixer doesn't take long and i saves life.....

 

Is Engrish a second language or just too much beer?

 

Moral of the story: Stop buying cheap junk

🤣

 

But I had a coupon.

 

I don't drink,alcohol.

 

Just a warning if you don't like it well nuff said , Sorry, not

 

I have 6 pairs of the HF jack stands, some I have been using for 5-6 years, never had a problem with any of them, and I use them under 1 ton diesel trucks.

 

Now that is what I needed to hear.
Cause I have two sets in anticipation of hopefully doing the suspension someday.
I use the 3 ton a lot but next time just going to give them a once over for the hell of it now.

 

Some of mine have to be close to 25 years old. Me and a buddy of mine have been buying HF tools from their catalog going back to the 80's. Back then you wanted to stick to the air tools labled "Professional". Lathes, Mills etc. between the two of us we bought a lot of stuff out of their catalog. If you don't abuse them, they last. Back then you could even get 'parts' for tools and HF would order them. Get a replacement bearing for like $2, or an oddball spring for a papering machine for like 90 cents. They'd take like 3 months on the slow boat from China, but eventually they'd arrive.