fleabag

I read a story of a guy who thankfully did not die but who used some jack stands and one day the car came down. It turns out that the ratcheting mechanism on the paw for the jack stands broke at the part where it was holding up the adjustable "arm". So I was thinking that maybe I should just get jack stands that have a minimum height that I'm looking for..

These are 4 ton jack stands that start at 12 inches and go up to like 17 and 1/2 inches:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...d=12+ton+stand

These are 12 ton jack stands that START at 17 inches and go up to 27 inches.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...d=12+ton+stand


So, instead of getting the jack stands that go UP to 17 inches, I'd instead get the jack stands that START at 17 inches and just use it at that height..

What do you guys think? Also has anyone ever used these taller jack stands to work on their civic? I figure that if I get tall enough jack stands, I won't have to remove the bumper in order to do an engine swap and whatnot because the car would be high enough to clear it.

fatboy1185

Buy a hydraulic lift for like 1 grand.

Jenkinsal2

Most likely the failing jackstand was a result of negligence or user error. Even so, when using a name brand set of jackstands I have never heard of a single problem. Get whichever of the two you want.

fleabag

thats what everyone assumed but I don't see how it can be negligence or user error. How can you even use these things improperly? I mean even if it isn't secure, it'll become secure soon as you put a significant load on it. he says that he was working on the car and then it failed. I've read a few reports of failing jack stands so I think it's definitely possible.

Jenkinsal2

One way is to use a set of jack stands not properly rated for the weight you are jacking up. You can also have them placed slightly off putting a load on the wrong section of the jack stand and create a force where their shouldn't be. I have seen way to many shifty movements with jacks and jack stands work out to believe that these products can fail. There are more idiots out there then shitty jack stands.

fleabag

speaking of putting loads on the wrong section of the jack stand, is it safe to have the arm resting on the base and having a load applied to it?

rip94delsol

We had one fail at the shop the other day, you can thank Matco for that one!

Scott_Tucker

I would not get the big stands. It is likely you could not lift your Honda high enough with a floor jack to mount it on them. I have a set of the smaller ones at my shop and they are plenty strong for any car.