Harbor Freight Jack Stands - Failure/Recall

[Mike07SE]

I bought the 61197 set to help my buddy do the clutch on his mustang and in preparation of lifting my wife's 4runner. As soon as we had the rear end touching the jacks they gave out and collapsed. After inspection, we found that the handle had a hair trigger. The pawl also would not properly engage the teeth and left very little surface area to engage. Luckily this happened before we were ever under them. I can't imagine now being under the car wrestling the transmission out or even lightly tapping into them and having the car come down. Returned immediately and purchased a new set elsewhere that had double locking feature.

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[mcat707]

So have any of you guys gotten your HF gift card/store credit for returning the 61197 6ton jack stands? My local store will not take them until I receive an email recall notice from HF corporate so I can bring to the store as proof. I call the HF corporate customer service line and they said they will send out the official recall notice email (to bring to the store) once the stay home shelter has been lifted to prevent people from leaving their house. I told the customer service rep that my local store is open from 8am to 6pm so why can’t I just bring them in? She said I would have to wait for the official email that is on file with purchase item receipt.

 

[mteolus]

I don't have this, but this looks interesting.

 

[Tuco Ramirez]

There are things I have no issue cheaping out in (aka harbor freighting), but holy shit, jack stands? No thanks. Risking your life to save $20-30 is stupid.

 

[zonzin]

Just ordered these through Jegs, free shipping and a discount code.

.

 

[DougR]

I don't have this, but this looks interesting.

Amazon carries this style in 4000 and 6000 lbs at a better price. There are 1500 reviews on the product group, where some are not positive. See reviews attached to customer images. I' m wondering if piston stroke is long enough to overcome front suspension travel to get tires off the ground. Saddle is not wide enough for the front frame rail, but looks OK for the rear axle housing.

Amazon.com: Powerbuilt 620471 6000lb, Unijack 6000Lb Unijack: Automotive

 

[mcat707]

Amazon carries this style in 4000 and 6000 lbs at a better price. There are 1500 reviews on the product group, where some are not positive. See reviews attached to customer images. I' m wondering if piston stroke is long enough to overcome front suspension travel to get tires off the ground.

Amazon.com: Powerbuilt 620471 6000lb, Unijack 6000Lb Unijack: Automotive

Looks like the maximum lift height is 21”, that might be a problem with lifted rigs. I’d consider getting 2 of these if they had at least 23-24” of height. Cool set up though. I like the all in one package idea.

 

[redneckcrawler]

There are things I have no issue cheaping out in (aka harbor freighting), but holy shit, jack stands? No thanks. Risking your life to save $20-30 is stupid.

100% this. Glad you are ok but Christ Almighty spend the good money when it comes to safety.

 

[Rapid_Amble]

Just ordered these through Jegs, free shipping and a discount code.

.

These look pretty awesome.

I have pro lift double locking 6 ton jackstands bought locally from Home Depot. They're 3 ton each stand. Seem pretty beefy but these Sunex look bomb proof plus they're taller.

 

[ads2539]

I have Torin 6 ton jack stands with the locking pins that I bought on Amazon for a good price ($54, free shipping).

I also have RhinoGear HD (16,000 lb) ramps I got on sale from Advance Auto Parts for only ~$40-45 (?). However much they cost, they were cheaper than Amazon.

No issues with either, knock on wood.

 

[zonzin]

These look pretty awesome.

I have pro lift double locking 6 ton jackstands bought locally from Home Depot. They're 3 ton each stand. Seem pretty beefy but these Sunex look bomb proof plus they're taller.

UPS just dropped them off. Holy crap these things are massive,overbuilt like a tank! Shoot the support pin alone is 3/4" hardened steel! One stand would support my rig by itself, and my wifes! Will have no fear of failure with these.

.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

Glad to hear you're alright.

I returned a pair of HF that spooked me before. I replaced them with these 6 tons from Northern Tool

I like that they have a backup manual key to insert from the side to prevent unwanted movement. you can see it tethered to a keyring in the pic. check em out.

Strongway Double-Locking 6-Ton Jack Stands — 12,000-lb. Total Capacity, Pair

I received mine today. I like that they have a set screw to keep the saddle from falling out when picking them up. Northern Tool took their time getting them here is my only complaint. Beefy construction, pins are tight but have a smooth action and the saddle sits in there nice and tight with no wobble.

 

[mcat707]

After the HF jack stand recall and reading reports of the ratcheting type jack stand failures, I also ordered the Sunex 10ton pin type jack stands. Cost me $200 for the set.

Just look at the pic below. F**K That!

(Pic borrowed from this thread..)

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/2150595-post20.html

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/281669-jack-stands.html?highlight=Jack+stand

 

[kenwilliams0803]

Used my pro-lift 6 tons, ratcheting with the extra safety pin added on on Sunday. They were solid while working on the ZJ.

I have not used stands with pins in them for 20+ years, and I have to say since the triangle shaped pin has 3 different length sides, it can be a pain to get it in the right way. It only fits one way. BUT - it's worth an extra minute or 2 for safety and they likely have to be shaped that way for a good solid mesh with the ratchet teeth.

I approve. And I'll probably end using these a ton (no pun intended) more than my 3 ton or 12 ton stands. I should have had a set of these years ago.

 

[zonzin]

Thats scary.


.

 

[Bumbo]

When I started working on cars my friend told me to put the tire under the car just as a little extra something.

Wasn't much work since the tire was off most of time anyway, and it was better than nothing.

Crap jack stands or equipment failure while I am under it is a concern. Yikes

 

[Bumbo]

Thats scary.


.

Shes hold-in it... QC PASS

 

[TomsPro]

So have any of you guys gotten your HF gift card/store credit for returning the 61197 6ton jack stands?

So, I had no receipt, but took them back to the store and they checked, found that there was a recall and refunded my money back to my credit card. They did ask if I wanted to swap..., nope.

 

[TXTRDPRO]

I’m pretty sure most jack stands unless they are home built or incredibly expensive are likely made in the same factory as the HF stands.

I run the Largest jack stands that HF makes when working on my rock crawlers and haven’t ever had a problem.

Ready for the flak now.

 

[mcat707]

So, I had no receipt, but took them back to the store and they checked, found that there was a recall and refunded my money back to my credit card. They did ask if I wanted to swap..., nope.

Nice! My local HF store is being an A-Hole and is requiring proof notification from their corporate before they do anything. I’ll try another store in another city to see if they give me any problem with turning them in.