Floor Jacks, lets see them

[evident]

I'm talking from a safety standpoint. Either the jack works for what you need, or it doesn't. With a jack stand, they could fail at any second, and there is usually no warning before it happens.

i thought jackstands are supposed to be much safer than floor jacks.

 

[JCH13]

I'm talking from a safety standpoint. Either the jack works for what you need, or it doesn't. With a jack stand, they could fail at any second, and there is usually no warning before it happens.

Have you ever heard of a jackstand failing? Ever?

I just did a google search for "broken jackstand" and "broken jack stand" and all I got were results of broken hydraulic jacks and people who tipped over their cars while they were on jackstands. They're so unbelievably overbuilt that only egregious violations of their maximum weight capacity and proper use could have a remote change of causing them to fail.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I have the 4 ton steel one from Harbor freight. I have used it on my Silverado and civic and it worked fine. I need to check my Honda fit.

 

[Kelvrick]

Have you ever heard of a jackstand failing? Ever?

I just did a google search for "broken jackstand" and "broken jack stand" and all I got were results of broken hydraulic jacks and people who tipped over their cars while they were on jackstands. They're so unbelievably overbuilt that only egregious violations of their maximum weight capacity and proper use could have a remote change of causing them to fail.

I've certainly heard of jack stands failing. Never personally experienced or even knew second hand, but I've read a few stories on the internet. While I agree, they are much much safer than using a jack (which I would use to solely support something), I would think like with anything, there can be a fault in the material or construction and one can fail. Which is why I like to keep a set of old tires around to go under the car as well.

I searched for "jack stand failure" and found a few results.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

I use jack stands and also have the jack engaged a few centimeters from the lifting point in case the stands fail.

 

[franksta]

I'm hoping this is about the last time I need to use it. Our moment of triumph as we're about to lower the runways onto the crosstube.

Mine is the grey one on the right, dad's is on the left. I'm pretty sure I got mine at WalMart around 12 or 13 years ago, it came with a pair of stands. "Mack" brand, like the trucks, but I'm sure it's just a generic Chinese one. Dad's is a rapid lift Craftsman brand.

 

[JCH13]

I've certainly heard of jack stands failing. Never personally experienced or even knew second hand, but I've read a few stories on the internet. While I agree, they are much much safer than using a jack (which I would use to solely support something), I would think like with anything, there can be a fault in the material or construction and one can fail. Which is why I like to keep a set of old tires around to go under the car as well.

I searched for "jack stand failure" and found a few results.

Fair enough. Those search terms came up with a few results. I only found one out of 5-6 stories I read that I could clearly attribute to faulty materials. Plenty of ones with jackstands on non-flat surfaces, being used for vehicles that are too heavy, etc.

Looks like there was some serious corrosion and/or casting void in this jackstand. Still though, this is just another reason why one should always shove/push/jostle a car after it has been put on jack stands to make sure everything is happy before crawling underneath. Particularly because I have two of the craftsman jackstands pictured above.

Franksta: is this going to be your next jack?

 

[franksta]

Fair enough.
Franksta: is this going to be your next jack?

I'd like one but I'm not sure I want to spend the money. They're expensive so it may be a while.

 

[mvbighead]

If I am going to be spending any amount of time under the car, I have multiple jack stands PLUS I have the jack lightly pressed against the lift point. IE - I lift the car with the jack, put jack stands in place, lower the car onto jack stands, once the jack has left a gap with the lift point, I re-raise it to the lift point without actually applying more lift.

Thus, I have 3 points of failure before the car comes crashing down. To be honest, for the most part, I trust the jack more, but for safety, I place jack stands when I am going to spending time there. Wife walks by and bumps the jack handle? No problem. (Granted, she'd never do that, but that's probably the biggest fear as I am not lifting heavy vehicles by any means.)

 

[Stryker124]

Franksta: is this going to be your next jack?

I sooo want one of those...but like Franksta said, they are not cheap...I keep trolling craigslist and local auctions looking for one in the hopes of getting it on the cheap but no luck so far. I've also considered ditching the drive-on lift for a 2 post.

 

[cbrsurfr]

My new jack with the old one behind it, it's almost too pretty to use:


IMG_4425 by JJR329, on Flickr

 

[JCH13]

I just got this guy last weekend. I HIGHLY recommend it. It goes low (2 5/8in) and lifts high (24in) has a rapid-lift foot pump and is super stable.

http://www.harborfreight.com/2-ton-low-profile-heavy-duty-floor-jack-rapid-pump-68050-8048.html

Worth every penny for working on low sports cars.