A jack stand might fail because of the high load of the vehicle increasing the risk of injury to people near or under it. Tragically, this defect is probably going to go unseen by a user until it comes up short.
Are Jack Stands Safe?
Jack stands are safe if not used in the recalled model which pose danger and with safety precautions. To decrease injuries and failures one has to be aware of the jack stands that have been recalled for posing danger because they pose failure risk and have to follow safety precautions during use.
As a safety precaution example, jack stands are sold in pairs. Because when one has to go under a car they must use at least two jack stands at specific jack and standing points to avoid injuries and accidents. Other than while changing tires one jack stand is good.
Can a Jack Stand Fail?
A jack stand might fail if using the recalled models which pose danger and injuries or using without safety precautions and not maintaining the rules.
Research by the NHTSA, which is known as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on cases related to “jack failures” tracked down that in one year an expected 4822 individuals across the nationwide were treated in hospital emergency for injuries resulting from jack failures.
Most of these incidents occur due to poor quality and the inconsistency of the jack stands. There are a bunch of specific models that have been recalled for posing danger to stop injuries.
Why Do Jack-Stands Fail?
Jack stands are probably the most ignored security gear things in a DIY garage. It doesn’t lift vehicles rather it provides safe and fixed help for a raised vehicle. The reason for the jack stand failure is unable to hold the load or losing the pressure of the vehicle which causes an accident. The poor quality of the jack stand and its inconsistency is also a reason. That’s why several specific models of jack stands have been recalled for a replacement for posing danger and injuries.
Is It Safe to Use 4 Jack Stands at Once?
Is it safe to use 4 jack stands at once – the answer to this question highly depends on how perfectly you are using the jack stand. You need to place them under the vehicle one side at a time rather than end-to-end. It comes in handy for brake and suspension work. Need to be careful when lifting each side. Also, you have to make sure never to get under the vehicle while it’s on a hydraulic or scissor jack. 4 jack stands are very secure when put on the designated jacking points.
Can Jack Stand Failure Lead to Death?
Jack stand failures can be the result of serious lifetime injuries as well as a cause of death. Even if it doesn’t occur that often, it can be fatal when they do. A student of the University of Connecticut has faced death because of a jack stand failure. The car crashed on the victim while changing the oil in the car using a jack stand.
How to Identify Faulty Unsafe Jack Stands?
Several jack stands are recalled for posing danger and have been told to return and exchange them without using them. Three-ton and six-ton heavy-duty steel jack stands with item numbers 56371, 61196, and 61197 have been recalled by harbor freight. The number can be found on the label at the top of the three tons unit jack stand. The six-ton stands have their numbers imprinted in the yellow part of the mark found on the base.
According to the NHTSA filing, the recall applies to a total of 454,000 jack stands made between 2013 and 2019 and is accused of old tooling utilized by the industrial facility. If anyone uses one of these mentioned jack stands can replace or exchange it to a harbor tool location shop.
Harbor Freight Jack Stand Failure
In May, the organization reviewed 1.7 million of its three-and six-ton jack remains because they collapse under load. And they are also recalling their portion of the three-ton jack stands which was a replacement for a group of defective jack stands recalled in May. Three, six, or twelve-ton harbor freight jack stands are asked to bring to a harbor freight store for a refund.
In recent times, Harbor Freight Tool has recalled about 454,000 Pittsburgh Automotive 6-Ton Heavy-Duty steel jack stands which are said to be inconsistent due to maturing of the tooling. Pittsburgh Automotive 3-Ton Heavy Duty Steel Jack Stands had the same problem and were recalled and customers were given replacements.
Ratchet vs Pin Jack Stands: Which One’s Safer?
Ratchet-type jack stands are safe enough to use. However, pin-type stands are almost indestructible, as the locking pin makes it difficult for the supporting bar to slip through the base. As far as jack stands go, the pin locks are by far the safest if they have pins that are thick and durable. The ratchet ones are great if they are made with solid steel ones
Jack Stand Accidents
Every year, thousands of amateur mechanics and automobile enthusiasts suffer severe and potentially fatal injuries when a car jack or jack stand collapses as they’re working beneath a vehicle. Research by the NHTSA shows that almost 5,000 people were injured by the simple task of jacking up a vehicle for repair. Jack stands have the potential to lead a person to death.
On March 11, 2011, Christian Klorczyk died due to a terrible accident when the BMW he was changing the oil on fell on top of him.
Christian was working with two jack stands underneath the car, and the jack itself did not fail. When they found him, his father, Frederick, rushed in and jacked the car back up, with the same jack Christian generally used. He added two jack stands underneath the car (there were already two underneath) and pulled his son out from under the car.
Frederick also released this message,”To those of you who are ‘car guys’ out there, please invest in the more expensive jacks with backup pins rather than those sold in local retail outlets so this tragedy is never repeated again,” he wrote.
Are 2 Tons of Jack Stands Enough?
A 2-ton jack stand can safely support the entire mass of your car when you are only trying to lift one corner on each stand. The stand comes with a safety margin of at least 50%, probably neared 100%. So the 2-ton stands will be safe enough for your car.
Is It Illegal to Leave a Car on Jack Stands?
Even though there are no legal codes requiring someone to stand guard over a car on jack stands, you should check the laws of your city to be sure. However, we highly recommend removing them as soon as you’re done with the repair.
To Conclude
Whenever you’re working with a pair of jack stands, make sure to check if you have the safe models and examine the jaws and pins. Double-check to lock the pins, and this goes by without saying- be safe.
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