Question about Jack Stands?

[spartikus1975]

Hey guys I have a quick question I am hoping to get answered. So I work on my vehicles from time to time. Vehicles includes a small Mazda Miata, a Hyundai Genesis Sedan and a Mazda CX-9. I was using 2 ton jack stands and they were good for about 10 inches to 16 inches. I just got rid of these and bought some more heavy duty 6 ton jack stand from Home Depot. These lift from 14 inches or so to 24 inches. They seem huge for my Miata and the Genesis. My question is can you get jack stands that are too big? Meaning to lift my Miata the lowest setting seems to lift the car very high. This could be a good thing however I am worried about lifting the vehicle too high and causing it to fall off. Please let me know I hope this makes sense.

 

[mike93lx]

If the car isn't absolutely rock solid on the stands, adjust. You should be able to attempt a serious shake of the car and not have it move.

Height isn't the issue if the stands are solid and you have them level and on solid ground

 

[MattGarage]

F = M * A . I lift a vehicle only the minimum amount needed to perform a task. No need to have thousands of pounds at huge potential energy. Usually just enough so that the tire spins. A bit more if I do brakes. A bit more if I have to get under. If getting under a vehicle I always use redundant stands.

Other than that, as long as it's in the range and you can get the car to lift and lower then it's good. There was a huge recall on jack stands in the past that was mainly Harbor Freight but impacted other brands too. Keep an eye on those recalls for jack stands.

 

[ItsNemo]

I used 6 ton stands all the time on my Mazda back in the day, loved it. I had 3 tons as well, but the 6 tons were rock solid and gave me that extra clearance to get underneath. Getting them up there, I'd just do the center jack points and put two in at the same time front or back. Was a little more difficult going side to side. There's no risk using a taller jack stand, they're designed to have a weight on them that high up...doesn't matter if it's a Miata or an F-150, the physics are the same. In fact, they tend to be more stable since you can use them on the lowest height rather than a higher one on shorter stands and they have a larger foot print and are more stout to begin with.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

It's best to lift the car at least enough to comfortably work under it. My biggest stands go up to about 30", but I seldom need to go that high. As mentioned before, the base size should correspond to the height

 

[WWheeler]

I have a set of Harbor Freight's new 6 ton Daytona jack stands and can attest they are solid AF. HF had a pretty major recall / safety issue with their older line of stands and have seriously beefed up their current lineup. They apparently aren't taking any chances of something like that happening again.

Especially at their lowest setting under a solid point of your vehicle they aren't going anywhere unless there's an earthquake, another car hits it, etc,

Here's mine next to a 4ton Craftsman professional

 

[mike93lx]

You guys trusting your lives to Harbor freight are nuts

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

I use 6 ton jackstands with all my cars including a VW Bug (1800 lbs wet) just to get the extra height. If the car is sitting properly and solidly, height is not an issue. I also got rid of all my jack stands that did not have the double locking pin feature.

Harbor freight jack stands? No way! Don't trust my life to the lowest bidder of the day who makes their jack stands.

 

[mad german]

You guys trusting your lives to Harbor freight are nuts

The redesigned stands are supposed to be night and day different than the old ones, yes?

 

[demarpaint]

After the two nearly back to back recalls HF had a few years ago on their jack stands, no way. I had their 6 ton version which was not part of the recall at the time, and I returned them for a cash refund. I ponied up the extra $$ for US Jack 6 ton jack stands and have no regrets. The redesigned jack stands might be way better now, but I am certain the US Jack stands I own are safe. OTOH I trust their jacks.

 

[boom_bap]

I can get by with ramps 99% of the time. The only time I need jack stands is when the wheels come off. Have you though about using ramps?

I also don't think that the HF new jack stand are anything to worry over. If you understand how the originals failed it was the ratchet not engaging well on the cast tbone. There wasn't anything wrong with the stand base. The new ones have a deeper engagement and have a locking pin. People love to hate on harbor freight for all kinds of reasons. If you live in earthquake country, you should never go under a car with only jackstands. Slap a bunch of redudancies under there.

 

[cannuck]

Usually if I am under a car with jack stands (I make my own with solid plate base and 3/4" 1045 double shear through pins) I throw a couple of staked, mounted tires on wheels as a backup under neath.

 

[Walkers]

The redesigned stands are supposed to be night and day different than the old ones, yes?

After the amount of recalls, while they may be night and day different, are they life and death different?

 

[Debcrow]

Height is not the problem. Having everything rock solid with no movement and the vehicles FRAME or AXLES sitting on the stands is what is important. Level ground with wheel chocks. Shake the vehicle after everything is put in place.
Even with that, take the extra measures. I leave the jack under there also unless it will be in the way. If a wheel is off I slide it under the vehicle where something solid will land on it if it falls.

 

[mike93lx]

The redesigned stands are supposed to be night and day different than the old ones, yes?

Not enough for me.

 

[Zewnten]

Amazon.com: Esco 10498 Jack Stand, 3 Ton Capacity, Silver : Automotive

Buy Esco 10498 Jack Stand, 3 Ton Capacity, Silver: Jack Stands - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

I like these for cars. I find the style like the daytona's shown above are too wobbly when extended. Each stand is rated for 3 tons so 6 tons per pair.

 

[spartikus1975]

Thank you for all the responses. I think I will keep these jack stands they at minimum can be used around 14 inches and if I need to go higher I can. Also I will be using these in my garage which is flat so no problem there.
Another question I have is that if I am lifting the vehicle with a floor jack front to back. Should I go up step by step like if I want to lift the vehicle to 18 inches or so should I lift the front up to 14 then the rear then go back to the front and go up that way. Or do I just lift it to the max height from the get go?

 

[KansasArt]

I use 6 ton jackstands with all my cars including a VW Bug (1800 lbs wet) just to get the extra height. If the car is sitting properly and solidly, height is not an issue. I also got rid of all my jack stands that did not have the double locking pin feature.

Harbor freight jack stands? No way! Don't trust my life to the lowest bidder of the day who makes their jack stands.

Everything is bid out to the lowest bidder. From the most advanced fighter jet parts, nasa rockets, and the parts in your car. The manufacturer sets the specifications, and allows bids from qualified companies.

 

[spartikus1975]

I do plan on keeping the floor jack in place as insurance once the vehicle is up to the height I want. I have nothing against the new Harbor Freight jack stands but I am going to be using some 6 ton pro lift stands from Home Depot that I bought these look bomb proof and are heavy.

 

[AffableCurmudgeon]

Another question I have is that if I am lifting the vehicle with a floor jack front to back. Should I go up step by step like if I want to lift the vehicle to 18 inches or so should I lift the front up to 14 then the rear then go back to the front and go up that way. Or do I just lift it to the max height from the get go?

I chock the wheels on one end, lift the opposite end to the height I want and put that end on jackstands. I then move to the chocked end and lift that end the same and put that on stands.

 

[RickyPetite]

Thank you for all the responses. I think I will keep these jack stands they at minimum can be used around 14 inches and if I need to go higher I can. Also I will be using these in my garage which is flat so no problem there.
Another question I have is that if I am lifting the vehicle with a floor jack front to back. Should I go up step by step like if I want to lift the vehicle to 18 inches or so should I lift the front up to 14 then the rear then go back to the front and go up that way. Or do I just lift it to the max height from the get go?

Depends on the length of the car. For example, it lifting a Miata up to 18 inches, I would be concerned that the car would be at such an extreme angle that it could slide on the stand. On the other hand, a longer car lifted to 18 inches would induce a less extreme angle and be fine. In the former case, I would do exactly what you suggested. Lift the front and place at 14 inches, lift the back to 18 inches and then lift the front to 18 inches. This induces smaller angles on the stands at each increment. I do this same thing with my daughter's Mazda 3. Having 2 jacks, one on each end under central lift points makes it easier.

 

[spartikus1975]

Depends on the length of the car. For example, it lifting a Miata up to 18 inches, I would be concerned that the car would be at such an extreme angle that it could slide on the stand. On the other hand, a longer car lifted to 18 inches would induce a less extreme angle and be fine. In the former case, I would do exactly what you suggested. Lift the front and place at 14 inches, lift the back to 18 inches and then lift the front to 18 inches. This induces smaller angles on the stands at each increment. I do this same thing with my daughter's Mazda 3. Having 2 jacks, one on each end under central lift points makes it easier.

This makes sense I think I will do this with the Miata and any other car that is small and would induce too much of an angle. I am planning on getting another floor jack making this much easier thank you for your advice!

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Driving onto blocks or ramps before jacking can save you a step.
And some pita with a low.car.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Growing up, I knew what Dad had. To me:

- A floor jack should have a solid handle and you should be able to lift and yank a vehicle around laterally, or drag it along, assuming neutral / not in gear.

I learned later in life my friend called trolley jacks "floor jacks." I told him they aren't floor jacks, and they ****.

I never regretted buying bigger-than-needed stands from Sears, * for home use. * If I went tracking a car like a Miata, I would worry about weight and size, vs. utility.

Until then, my floor jack is carried around in a trunk/bed if I need it, and no one else understands why I don't "just buy an aluminum one."

 

[spartikus1975]

Well, I tested it out. These jackstands are so tall I didn’t even need to put them up higher than the lowest setting worked out well I think I might need to get a more robust and higher lifting floor jack!

 

[RickyPetite]

Mazda makes the best red, love that car! Great floor, jealous

 

[whateg01]

You should be fine on a smooth floor but make sure, especially if the other end is already up in the air, that the jack can roll to stay under the jacking point. Otherwise you run the risk of it pulling the vehicle off the jack stands, off the jack, or toppling the jack stands.

 

[oldmachinenut]

 

[minke]

Your 2X4 (on the left) is leaking.

 

[jonesg]

I have a set of Harbor Freight's new 6 ton Daytona jack stands and can attest they are solid AF. HF had a pretty major recall / safety issue with their older line of stands and have seriously beefed up their current lineup. They apparently aren't taking any chances of something like that happening again.

Especially at their lowest setting under a solid point of your vehicle they aren't going anywhere unless there's an earthquake, another car hits it, etc,

Here's mine next to a 4ton Craftsman professional

Yeh.. those Daytonas look the part, built in feet, safety pin on chain.
Only thing I'd add is good wheel chocks.

 

[jonesg]

Driving onto blocks or ramps before jacking can save you a step.
And some pita with a low.car.

I backed my volvo onto ramps at the back wheels, then jacked the front up, sketchy as hell.
Thats when I knew it was time to save up and buy a lift.

 

[Aileron]

I would knix the jackstands, rework the door tracks and there would be a rack in that garage. Looks like height wouldn't be a issue.

 

[Aileron]

I backed my volvo onto ramps at the back wheels, then jacked the front up, sketchy as hell.
Thats when I knew it was time to save up and buy a lift.

Be carefull using ramps and stand together. I did it all the time until i jacked the back and the fronts rolled off. The jack pulled the car reward as the jack came up and I didnt catch it in time.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Lots of people forget, bend in this tab so the dynamic part can't slide out and land on your toe.

lots forget; bend in this tab so the dynamic part can't slide out and land on your toe