Topic: Harbor Freight jack stands are recalled. Stop using them!

[Sly Bob]

These 3 and 6 ton jack stands can drop and if you are under there when it does you'll be pushing up Daisys. Take them back to the store if you have ones that are affected by the recall.

https://jalopnik.com/dont-trust-your-life-to-these-jack-stands-1843546730

6 ton recall:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCLRPT-20E016-6561.PDF

3 ton recall:
https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCLRPT-20E027-9959.PDF

[Sol Asylum]

While I have bought a few items at harbor freight, I always question buying safety gear there.  I mean how much is your life worth?  I tend to spend the extra few $ somewhere else.

[Uranium-238]

While I have bought a few items at harbor freight, I always question buying safety gear there.  I mean how much is your life worth?  I tend to spend the extra few $ somewhere else.

The issue is, what defines "quality" these days in jack stands? I have some that seem quality, but they aren't really that different from HF's stands. (Which also aren't different from anyone else's...)

[Steelmesh]

Thanks for the note!  I have these recalled jack stands.  They were spares, I have AC Delco units from 2007 that have never let me down...or rather let a car down onto me.

[Sol Asylum]

The issue is, what defines "quality" these days in jack stands? I have some that seem quality, but they aren't really that different from HF's stands. (Which also aren't different from anyone else's...)

Set the stand on the floor or other level surface, do all the feet touch or does it wobble?

How are the welds?  If they are under cut, cold, pin holed pitted or otherwise look like an amateur did them they are junk.

How thick is the steel?  Is it angle iron or sheet metal?  I have formed 1/8 in sheet in my garage by hand and it didn't take 3 tons of force to do it.  I won't buy sheet metal jackstands.

If they have castings look for cracks or porosities.  Bang them together, if they crack or chip leave them at the store.

Basically look them over and ask yourself are they up for the job?  Does the design make you question if they are strong enough for the rated load?  When in doubt don't buy them.

[Sly Bob]

The recall has nothing to do with the welds nor does it have anything to do with the castings. I suggest that if you have these that you read the document from NHTSA.
Don't assume that because the welds and castings are good you are out of the woods.

[Sol Asylum]

Agreed

The problem with these is in the design/manufacture of the mechanism that locks the height adjustment.

[TomatoSoup]

Thanks Bob.  Well I finally got out to the garage to look at mine.  They look exactly the same as those pictured, but do NOT have the same product numbers on them, so I presume I'm good.  I did check the locking mechanism and it seems tight and firm. 

I guess I'll continue to do what I always have with jack stands, slide the wheel(s) I take off, under the car to support a livable space if the car happens to slip/fall.

[Uranium-238]

The recall has nothing to do with the welds nor does it have anything to do with the castings. I suggest that if you have these that you read the document from NHTSA.
Don't assume that because the welds and castings are good you are out of the woods.

Bingo! Just because it looks up to snuff doesn't mean there isn't a hidden flaw.

All jack stands make me nervous. Maybe that's a good thing...

[Steelmesh]

Bingo! Just because it looks up to snuff doesn't mean there isn't a hidden flaw.

All jack stands make me nervous. Maybe that's a good thing...

I always have the floor jack jacked on the side I'm working on, I have trust issues too.

[Uranium-238]

I always have the floor jack jacked on the side I'm working on, I have trust issues too.

Same. If I can I'll usually have the tires on their side under the vehicle too, or if I'm doing an oil change/rotating I put them back on before I go under the car.

[elff]

Second Sentence is all you need to read

In fact, there’s a tradesperson’s adage you’d do well to heed: “If your job or your life depends on it, don’t buy it from Harbor Freight.”

[Sly Bob]

Okay, you took your recalled stands back to Harbor Freight and had them exchanged. Well I have bad news, the replacement stands have been recalled as well. Here's a link to the Harbor Freight site.

https://www.harborfreight.com/js-details