HF jack stand recall

[Stocker]

Just heard of this, gonna check the numbers on mine tomorrow.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-cul...of-collapsing/

[special-K]

Ooooh, not good. Not good at all. Some things you just need to rely on for that one and only thing that they do

[Richard2112]

Pittsburgh tools....hencho en china

[Zippi]

I have the 61196 3 ton jack stands. Just went to Harbor Freights website to make sure. Looks like I'll be making a trip to Harbor Freight today.

[powerdriver]

Pretty sad went a set of jack stands can't be trusted . The other name I have heard for these is safety stands . Nothing safe with those . Trouble is , If I had to replace any of mine Harbor Freight would have been the 1st place I would have checked .

[67ChevyRedneck]

I thought I had these, but apparently I have the "Big Red" brand.

I have 6 of the 3 ton and my Mustang was on them for months while I converted it from an auto to a 5 speed and while I rebuilt the rear end, and again when I did the front suspension.

Scary thought something you thought would save your ass could kill you. Glad I've always thrown a couple loose wheels underneath as a just in case.

[The Rocknrod]

And I wont be home to check until the end of the year...

[weq92f]

.
This is why I'm always using a backup set of stands in case the primary set fails and usually I place something else under there with me just in case...

I don't like the idea of getting crushed.

-klb

[FleetsidePaul]

Something from Harbor Freight is junk.....I'm shocked.

[Stocker]

After checking, mine are 3T jackstands, HF but probably much older. No markings or numbers on them. I *guess* they are OK.

FWIW, I never trust jackstands. I leave my floor jack in place as backup.

[67C10Step]

Originally Posted by Stocker

After checking, mine are 3T jackstands, HF but probably much older. No markings or numbers on them. I *guess* they are OK.

FWIW, I never trust jackstands. I leave my floor jack in place as backup.

I usually have one of my floor jacks as a backup as well.

Went and checked my set of HF jack stands this morning. They are 3T but I must have sprung for the higher priced chinese ones. My model number was not on the list. Glad because I am just about to kick the front end out from under my truck so it will be in the air for a while.

[CG]

I 100% don't trust jackstands by themselves. I always keep my floorjack in place along with the jackstands. If I'm feeling especially paranoid Ill slide a tire with rim or some cribbing under too.

I would hate to have any of my family members come looking for me and I was splatted under a car or truck.

[Killer Bee]

imagine my surprise

the potential risk there is staggering

The recall document says that the problem could affect more than 450,000 6-ton jack stands produced between 2013 and 2019 and nearly 1.3 million 3-ton jack stands produced between 2012 and 2020. These jack stands were sold under the Pittsburg brand name, and can be identified by item numbers 56371 or 61196 on 3-ton models, and 61197 on 6-ton models.

I'll risk a busted knuckle or skinned elbow with that junk where I only need a temp use or throw-away tool, but....

for safety related items, I've posted this sentiment multiple times for this very reason..
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=8163933

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

four stands of appropriate capacity should be sufficient..

I do recommend this style Shop for cross pin jack stands

cross pins are much more secure than ratchet pawl type, especially for rigorous work on the vehicle..

wider stance stands are much more stable for long term work..

they're also available in various heights for taller working positions..

you can stagger you lifting heights from front to rear to work your way up to taller heights if all you have is a floor jack..

keep adding wood blocks to the jack as you incrementally raise the stands or even switch to taller stands if necessary..

good tools like these will last a lifetime.. buy once, cry once

good luck!

[burnin oil]

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

Something from Harbor Freight is junk.....I'm shocked.

The problem is that they are probably sold with 20 different company names on them. Who would be the replacement brand? My big set is from Napa and I know they didn't produce them.

[Redneck Rydes]

Originally Posted by Killer Bee

imagine my surprise

the potential risk there is staggering



I'll risk a busted knuckle or skinned elbow with that junk where I only need a temp use or throw-away tool, but....

for safety related items, I've posted this sentiment multiple times for this very reason..
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php?p=8163933

These ones look scary

[Steeveedee]

I have a pair of 3 ton stands from an unknown manufacturer. I also have the pin type stands that I have had for over 40 years. I'm going to toss the ratcheting jobs.

[AussieinNC]

https://images.harborfreight.com/hft...1196_61197.pdf

Check out your Harbor freight Jack Stand numbers and if they are any of the above...56371 or 61196 or 61197...immediately stop using them and return them back to HF for a store credit...

[68panelman]

I own a pair of 3 ton jacks the last thirty years, one with a pawl i have to manually engage, mmm, never a problem with something that bottoms out on the dog,... Shoot, I don't even know of an American made jackstand

[Killer Bee]

I'll just leave these here...

WE PICK THE BEST JACK STANDS FOR CARS, TRUCKS, AND SUV’S

Pin type adjustment for a jack stand is considered stronger than the ratcheting style and will not fail. This is why it is a favorite for heavy duty or high weight rated jack stands.

7 Best Jack Stands You Can Bet Your Life On

Ratcheting stands tend to be more convenient, but selecting a pair of stands which use pin and hole, or pin through, technology will give you the highest safety rating.

You will appreciate the pin through design because it’s safer and more dependable than a ratchet model, eliminating the fear of the stand slipping or dropping on you.

USA Made Jacks – Safe, Smart and American Made

[special-K]

I have always trusted my jack stands to do what they were made to do. I use jack stands instead of throwing tires, cinder blocks, or chunks of wood under there. Jack stands are meant to make working under a vehicle safer than held up with a jack. I'll leave the jack under there if it isn't in the way just for convenience, since I'll need it back there to lower. I only use well made professional quality units. I absolutely do try to buy American, not just say so. I've been doing that since before I ever saw any crap from China. I have the same USA made units I've had since before I ever heard of Harbor Freight. I don't buy much but I buy good. Some things just aren't worth the pennies saved

All you have to do is look at the pawl and notches and see that they engage well. They can't release unless the ratchet bar is lifted. I have never in all my years heard of a ratchet jack stand failing until these. I am still confident of my stands at this point

[Stocker]

Originally Posted by special-K

All you have to do is look at the pawl and notches and see that they engage well.

Yeah, but in the back of my mind I have always thought there could be a bad casting -- a weak spot that could fail, possibly resulting in a catastrophic chain-reaction failure.
Highly unlikely, I know, and I've never heard of it happening. But I'll still leave the floor jack in place for peace of mind.

[special-K]

Yeah, I think about all that, too, and do leave the jack in place unless it is in the way. But at some point or another I have to rely on trust. A floor jack could fail as we place our jack stands. There is more to fail on a jack than on jack stands. I also use as heavy as will fit under. I have stands for under frame, then stands for under lone components such as axles. Another thing I do is periodically clean and inspect for flaws.

Here is one outfit's idea. Uses a pawl type stand but maybe a pin type could fit (I don't like it, BTW)

https://www.ecstuning.com/b-powerbui...ack/620516~pb/

[67ChevyRedneck]

The internet can't leave anything alone

[Bimus]

I never really liked the way the lever could move when a light load could move the pawl a little bit a heavy load would cut the small pin holding the pawl to the lever and hold the load after hearing all this about jack stands I drilled a 3/16 hole and added a cotter pin to keep the pawl from moving .

[72 k15]

All 4 of my jack-stands are being recalled, pretty scary think I was under those, im going to just go buy some nice cross pin ones.