Originally posted by MarkS: I'll say, those Pittsburgh stands look exactly like the ones I bought from Advance Auto last summer. Will take a good look at them this weekend. I've REALLY soured on Chinese stuff lately.
Because Very possible all made at same factory... But While Recall(s) apply to one brand... Same Recall may not apply to others from same factory.
Factories work in batches of X part. A iffy/bad batch or three for HF may only affect HF not AZ etc.
I would carefully check all new ones for same problems even tho is another brand.
I won't buy "Generic" amazon etc. things that can kill you. Even "Store brands" for AZ Kmart etc. gets recalled and you can find out easily thru the store, CPSC, or NHTSA.
Profit engineering, cheap metal, dirty welds at the expense of someones well being. For such an old tool that has had a basic design for so many decades it's unnecessary for them to not be of higher quality standards.
I never liked the basic jack stand design and they always feel flimsy to me. In my shop I ended spending a lot more for RennStand's from SafeJacks. I really like the design of them and much heavier duty feel.
Originally posted by theogre: HF Recall doc's and online would tell you same. Recall items does not need a receipt/invoice either to return them.
quote
You may return your jack stands to your nearest Harbor Freight Tools retail store and you will receive a gift card equal to the retail price of the original jack stands. Directions to your nearest Harbor Freight Tools store can be found on our website at www.harborfreight.com. Even though your jack stands may currently be in good working order, we are asking all users to immediately stop using these jack stands. Additionally, if at all possible, customers should not return the product to stores until the ‘Shelter at Home Order’ in your area has been lifted. If it is essential you return them before, you should follow the CDC guidelines and remain six feet apart from others.
Well it wont be anytime soon and I already have replacements in the garage made here in the states.
[This message has been edited by Jake_Dragon (edited 05-28-2020).]
Just a quick warning on this topic. Many people who have jackstands have NEVER done this next step which in most cases is not even labeled on the stands. When you lower the jackstand all the way, you take a steel punch or screwdriver and hammer in the tab as shown by the blue arrow. This is the safe limit tab that will not allow you to raise the jackstand to an unsafe height. Without this limit tab, you can actually raise the stand to a dangerous height to where the jackstand can fold in half at the top.
Be aware that this tab will also lock the slider in place so it cannot be removed from the base anymore. If you need to remove the slider at a later time, you'll need to bend the tab back outwards.
[This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 06-07-2020).]
The funny thing is that I have HF stands (though they're way older than the affected ones and are actually halfway sturdy.) They're the 5 ton ones from back when I worked on lifted trucks.
But for the Fiero, I never bother to lift them, they just stay in the lowest position, so it's not like they have anywhere to drop anyway =))
Originally posted by IMSA GT: Just a quick warning on this topic. Many people who have jackstands have NEVER done this next step which in most cases is not even labeled on the stands. When you lower the jackstand all the way, you take a steel punch or screwdriver and hammer in the tab as shown by the blue arrow. This is the safe limit tab that will not allow you to raise the jackstand to an unsafe height. Without this limit tab, you can actually raise the stand to a dangerous height to where the jackstand can fold in half at the top.
Be aware that this tab will also lock the slider in place so it cannot be removed from the base anymore. If you need to remove the slider at a later time, you'll need to bend the tab back outwards.
CLICK FOR FULL SIZE
All that does is keep the top in so won't get lost. Most to all that stop is = to last tooth on the "racket section" on the upper part. Pull more the top won't lock or even fall over before even sees a load.
Most people should bent the stop "ear" just so kids etc can't lose the upper part. I see many used stand w/ missing uppers or worse mismatch uppers because fools take uppers from one to use on other like often smaller top can "fit" in bigger bottom. (Which is what look like in above video. Makers put small top in bigger bottom.)
Ever then I try to Not use the last ⅓ to ¼ of upper section. More height the more reason to tip over like pulling a wrench so stands see more sideways loads.
Checked out my newest set and found they were one of the listed sets of stands. Returned them to Harbor freight for full retail gift card. I've always had worries about jack stands. I usually slide tires or blocks under the car as well, to limit how far the car can fall. Especially scary when removing a cradle/engine assembly! Certainly glad I read this post.
I don't think I have purchased a jack stand in 20 years... I have 8 of the 6 ton ones that look identical to the harbor freight ones, but mine were branded MVP and sold through wal-mart way back when (still probably imported). I also have several smaller ones from Larin and another supplier. I have something like 12 or 14 jack stands to pick and choose from.
It is my understanding that only some of the production runs are affected. Something to do with worn manufacturing dies and the angle of the teeth may be a bit off. I took 6 back and they didn't even check the numbers, they just gave me a gift card.
⚠️ Warning & Update: HF added a new skew to JS recall and HF recall page and NHTSA doesn't list this right now. New Skew is 56373 is a 3 ton unit w/ welding defects.
We had some unbranded axle stands of the ratchet design (as in the OP) fail spectacularly when load testing at around 2t when rated to 3t/stand.
They sheared off at the saddle. (●__●)
The design is exactly the same as the generic ratchet axle stand and they looked identical to common branded ones here (sealey,draper,Clarke etc) but I guess using unsuitable materials.
Will try and transfer pics from work phone at some point.
