Harbor Freight Jackstands

[friedduck]

Quote:

I had my CRX on jackstands for the last 2 weeks. Today I took it down. And the great Harbor freight jackstand was completely destroyed!

and the scary part is I was under the car moments before it collapsed... No more cheap tools for me! And they can have their damn Jack back too!

I received this off the local AutoX mailing list. Just passing on the message, as this scares the bejesus out of me. Take it for what it's worth, as I don't know if the tool's been abused or used incorrectly (how you could do that I'll never know, but people are funny.) (Two more images to follow)

Jeff

[friedduck]

Pic #2

[CurtP]

There's more to this story than meets the eye. The pictures look like the result of it being crushed under the car after it's fallen on it. What I don't understand is how it "failed". Did the cast iron extension (the part the car actually rests on) drop down into the jackstand, or did it topple over? In either case, I'd have to say that it's more than likely operator error -- if it toppled over, it's because it was side-loaded which means he didn't have it in the right position or wasn't jacking the car correctly. If the extension dropped, then he didn't have the latching mechanism fully engaged. The only way that I could see that would be the fault of the jackstand is if the latching pawls sheared, which could be a result of either a manufacturing defect or overloading the jackstand.

I have several sets of jackstands, including a set from Harbor Freight, and they're all made just about the same, and they're all made in Tawain.

Knowlege of how to use your tools is just as important as having the right tool for the job.

[BillK]

Quote:

Originally posted by CurtP
There's more to this story than meets the eye. [snip . . . snip]

Knowlege of how to use your tools is just as important as having the right tool for the job.

HEAR HEAR!

[friedduck]

And finally, pic #3.

[friedduck]

Like I said--take it with a grain of salt. If anything, just give your stands a good once-over. I'm with you on the idea of side-loading, They're definitely not intended to take that kind of abuse. I fail to see how *anyone* could misuse a jack stand though! (Honestly, you'd have to be pretty damn stupid to do something like put it on it's side, and if the guy has the car up on stands in his garage, I have to assume that the surface is level.)

Digest or disregard as you see fit.

Jeff

[gja_era]

I completely agree that they look to have been abused or misused. I have three sets of stands and one set is similar to those in the pictures. I have had them for at least 15 years and they have held up my 65 Mustang, ERA Cobra replica along with my full size GMC and Dodge 4x4 pickups. I agree "Knowledge of how to use your tools is just as important as having the right tool for the job" and this guy does not have a clue.