Do floor jacks/jack stands have a lifetime service life? I have a couple jack stands and floor jacks that are 20+ years old. I inspect my jack stands regularly. Don't see any cracks, the welds still look good. The floor jack is starting to lose its ability to lift unless I bleed the fluid before using. This is all home use. Is there a general consensus that after x number of years, your floor jack or jack stand should be sent to the scrap heap notwithstanding how they look externally?
Floor Jack/Jack Stand Life Span?
- Thread starter hosz
- Start date
shakenfake
Well-known member
I would rebuild the jack if possible. Jackstands I use until they break in some manner.
AffableCurmudgeon
Well-known member
A couple of yers ago, I got rid of four 20 year old jack stands because they did not have the locking pins. Replaced them with Torin Big Reds with locking pins. Just needed more security.
vavet
Well-known member
I dunno, I have a craftsman floor jack I bought 30+ years ago and some jackstands I bought at pep boys T about the same time, I don’t use either of them very much Any more.
I bought a hf aluminum jack 15ish years ago when i owned a Miata because the craftsman wouldn’t go low enough to pick it up At the center jack point. That is now my go to because it’s enough to lift anything I own and much easier to move around Because of the lighter weight.
id worry less about the jack than the jackstands. If the jack fails, it just won’t lift or will slowly allow the load to come down, but that shouldn’t be a problem because you shouldnt be under a load supported by a jack.
the jackstands failing are a bigger problem.
I bought a hf aluminum jack 15ish years ago when i owned a Miata because the craftsman wouldn’t go low enough to pick it up At the center jack point. That is now my go to because it’s enough to lift anything I own and much easier to move around Because of the lighter weight.
id worry less about the jack than the jackstands. If the jack fails, it just won’t lift or will slowly allow the load to come down, but that shouldn’t be a problem because you shouldnt be under a load supported by a jack.
the jackstands failing are a bigger problem.
Joemctag
Well-known member
Just don’t trust a floor jack, even a new one, not to leak down. It IS great to have one that doesn’t, of course.
Jackstands, with no vibration or impact loads, wouldn’t get metal fatigue. Just, if one was seriously overloaded, there could be some permanent deformation. No deformation, I’d say they’re fine.
Jackstands, with no vibration or impact loads, wouldn’t get metal fatigue. Just, if one was seriously overloaded, there could be some permanent deformation. No deformation, I’d say they’re fine.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
They will last a lifetime as long as there are parts available. 
rsanter
Well-known member
I have good quality stuff that is older than that and I still use them.
Inspect them and if they are good then they are good
Inspect them and if they are good then they are good