Designed to support a load of a vehicle lifted off the bottom, jack stands are essential if you’re working underneath your car. Don’t be fooled into thinking a floor jack is enough to securely support the load of your car. You’ll want jack stands to secure the vehicle, instead of looking forward to the ground jack, which might slip or fail to result in a potentially fatal disaster. Most jack stands have the same shape and style but there are some belongings you must know before choosing the proper one.

 

How to Choose the correct Harbor Freight  Jack Stand

The most important factor when buying jack stands is to test their load ratings. Most jack stands will say they support two tons and up, but detain mind that’s typically for a pair of jack stands. So if you’re purchasing a pair of two-ton jack stands, check to determine if each stand is really rated to support one ton. Check the load of your vehicle to create sure the jack stands you’re purchasing will support the load of your vehicle.

To do this, hunt for your vehicle’s curb weight in your owner’s manual and make sure the jack stands you’re purchasing will support the curb weight of your car. confine mind that the burden distribution of your vehicle likely won’t be even front to back, especially if your car has an engine upfront. To get on the safe side, you’ll want to collect your vehicle’s curb weight when comparing the load ratings on the jack stands you’re purchasing.

Another factor to contemplate is that the weight of the jack stand.

Most jack stands are constructed of steel, which makes them a small amount heavy and difficult to hold or move around. Some companies manufacture aluminum jack stands, which can be lighter than their steel counterparts. If a load of a jack stand could be a concern, choose an aluminum option.

Lastly, if you own a crossover, SUV, or pickup, you’ll want to contemplate the lift height of a jack stand to confirm it can accommodate your vehicle. You’ll want jack stands which will be adjusted to the next setting to support a crossover, SUV, or truck. the other applies too if you own a lowered sports car or exotic. therein case, you’ll need a jack stand that includes a lower starting height to form sure it fits underneath your car.

 

How to Properly Use a Jack Stand

Anytime you’re lifting your car off the bottom, the primary thing you wish to try to do is to ensure you’re parked on a flat and level surface. Engage your car’s emergency and use wheel chocks around your wheels. From there, locate a secure spot underneath your car for your floor jack—you can check your car’s manual to search out the simplest places to lift your car.

Once your car is off the bottom with the ground jack, set the jack stand underneath the pinch points of your vehicle. These are typically found on the edges of your vehicle, between the front and rear tires. If your car doesn’t have any pinch points, you’ll be able to put the jack stands underneath your vehicle’s frame. Adjust the peak of the jack stand as necessary and use the security pin to stay in situ.

After that, slowly lower the ground jack that the car rests safely on the jack stands.

Give your vehicle a decent nudge to form sure it’s sturdy before going underneath it.

When you’re done functioning on your car, lift it keep a copy with the ground jack, lower the jack stands, and take away them before slowly lowering your car back to the bottom with the ground jack

If you have got jack stands from Harbor Freight, please take a moment before reading on to work out if they’re littered with the recall. It could save your life.

Working underneath a lifted car is inherently extremely dangerous, and it is easy to be cavalier or place an excessive amount of trust in equipment that may not deserve it. Our guide below is meant not as a how-to since every car and truck is different, but rather as a top-level view of some best practices that may get you thinking critically about your methods.

As always, carefully read the manual—for your vehicle, for your floor jack, and for your jack stands—before starting. And if you’ve got any concerns about your situation, or equipment, aren’t getting under the vehicle.

Check the burden Rating

Before starting, confirm you have the correct equipment for the task. you will need a jack and a minimum of two jack stands to figure under your vehicle. First, ensure they’re rated for your vehicle’s weight. counting on when it absolutely was manufactured and also the specific model, jack stands might be weight rated individually or as a pair.  Check your specific jack stands’ manual or label to substantiate the burden rating to create sure that you have actually got the correct equipment to support your vehicle.

Also remember that jack stands are intended to be utilized in pairs, which partially explains the shared weight rating. it isn’t recommended to use just one jack stand to support a little of the vehicle, nor to use two sets to support both ends of the vehicle at an identical time.

What weight rating must you choose?

Determine your vehicle’s curb weight (it’s generally within the owner’s manual) and pick jack stands with an identical rating. garner instead of down. If your vehicle weighs 5,500 pounds, choose 3-ton jack stands (or more) instead of 2-ton. Likewise, ensure your device is up to the task. Lastly, check the lifting dimensions—will the jack lift enough to induce the jack stands underneath? Are the jack stands long enough to adequately lift the vehicle?

Should You Use A Harbor Freight Jack Stand At All?

If you wish to lift both ends of the vehicle, there are other devices, like the QuickJack hydraulic scissor jack (shown above), that are a safer (albeit more expensive) solution. Quality vehicle ramps also are a secure, sturdy, and fewer expensive alternative for raising two or four wheels off the bottom certainly repairs, and they are fast and convenient when used properly. In many circumstances, these may well be safer and quicker alternatives to the ground jack and jack stand method, provided you are not acting on projects that need the wheels to come back off.

 

Check The Condition Of Your Harbor Freight Jack Stands

Regardless of what you will be lifting or supporting the vehicle with, check the condition of all of them. confirm the jack is stable and in good working order. Examine your jack stands—whether the pawl, pin, or screw type. Attempt to use high-quality equipment from a reputable manufacturer.

We don’t recommend using the jack that came together with your vehicle, usually a scissor or bottle jack, for normal maintenance. They’re emergency items for infrequent use, like changing a tire on the side of the road.

 

Jack From A Flat, Hard, Level Surface

Whenever possible, a flat, hard, level surface like a concrete garage floor—is out and away the simplest surface to lift a vehicle from. this is not always possible, especially for a tire change. Do what you’ll be able to level the vehicle, and make sure the jack stands rest on a tough surface. A soft surface could cause the jack stands to shift, potentially dropping the vehicle.

There are products called jack stabilizer pads which will be accustomed to support a jack or jack stand. A sturdy piece of wood may also be employed in a pinch. But the simplest option may be a hard, level surface.

Before You Lift, Use Chocks

Chocks are simple wedge-like devices that prevent the vehicle from rolling. Place two behind the wheels of the tip you’re not lifting. A sturdy block of wood or brick may be used in a pinch, provided you ensure it’s enough to stop the vehicle from rolling. ensure to line the emergency, and put the vehicle in “park” or geared to assist ensure it won’t roll as you lift one end. But also remember that the brake generally only works on the rear axle. Make using chocks a habit irrespective of which end you’re lifting.

Locate Your Lift Points And Your Jack Stand Points

Where you lift from, and where you place your jack stands under the vehicle, goes to vary betting on the vehicle in question. Consult the owner’s manual to work out the way to lift. Many vehicles have sturdy lift points intended for this purpose—but ensure the form and elegance of the lifting point may be a good match for your jack and jack stands. Some vehicles will be lifted by the axle or differential, but this might also damage other vehicles. Don’t make assumptions; consult the manual. If the jack points are damaged otherwise you can’t locate one, don’t lift the vehicle and consult your dealer or trusted mechanic.

Ensure that wherever you jack from, there’s adequate clearance to the jack stand support point to urge the jack interchange and squared up underneath that time.

Start with the jack stands on a lower setting.

You’ll always raise them more later. Confirm they’re set to the identical height on either side. Only raise the vehicle to the maximum amount as you would like to try and do the task safely—more height means more potential instability.

Ensure The Jack Stands Are Vertical And Secure

Once the vehicle is chocked, the jack is found safe, and also the vehicle is lifted, it is time to position the jack stands at the indicated points. make sure the jack stands are vertical and not resting on any debris. confirm nobody is under the vehicle, and it won’t contact anything coming down. Place the jack stands and adjust the peak as near the support point as possible. Slowly release the jack to settle the vehicle onto the jack stands.

As the vehicle settles, ensure the jack stands stay vertical and keep contact with the jack points. Watch carefully, because the vehicle may come down at a small angle, and you will need to move the jack stands slightly before the vehicle rests on them so that they are lined up properly. Once down, and before getting underneath, countercheck the vehicle’s stability. It shouldn’t rock and therefore the jack stands shouldn’t shift. If it doesn’t feel solid and secure, double-check your setup and maybe jack the car keep a copy to reset everything.

Create An Escape Path, And Possibly A Back-Up Support

Before getting underneath, give some thought to what might happen if a jack stand (or the jacking point) fails or shifts, dropping the vehicle. How are you visiting to protect yourself, and the way are you visiting to get out from under the vehicle? it is not a foul idea to position a 3rd jack stand, the ground jack, or perhaps a tire underneath during a convenient spot to assist protect you if the worst happens. confirm this backup device doesn’t inhibit your ability to out from under the vehicle quickly.

It’s also not a nasty idea to let someone know you will be under the car or have a phone handy. We’ve heard of tragic instances where an individual, pinned by a vehicle, would have survived if help came in time.

It doesn’t take long to make sure you have an escape path, or much additional equipment to relinquish to create backup support, so there is no reason why you cannot incorporate these potential live-savers into your regular vehicle lifting routine.