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I'm affected by this recall as I'm sure many other members are. Unfortunately I don't think Harbor Freight is even open during the COVID shutdown. I can also confirm that the cleats or teeth on the 6-ton jack are way to small/short and rounded, the casting is clearly inferior and/or defective. The smaller 3 ton units I have are not affected by the recall and when compared to the 6-ton the difference in the cleat shape/size is very noticeable.
This recall is a good reminder for all of us to observe good safety procedures when working on our vehicles. Whenever possible, keep both your jack and jack-stand supporting your vehicle! Especially when your body parts will be working under said vehicle!
-Icer
I'm affected by this recall as I'm sure many other members are. Unfortunately I don't think Harbor Freight is even open during the COVID shutdown. I can also confirm that the cleats or teeth on the 6-ton jack are way to small/short and rounded, the casting is clearly inferior and/or defective. The smaller 3 ton units I have are not affected by the recall and when compared to the 6-ton the difference in the cleat shape/size is very noticeable.
This recall is a good reminder for all of us to observe good safety procedures when working on our vehicles. Whenever possible, keep both your jack and jack-stand supporting your vehicle! Especially when your body parts will be working under said vehicle!
-Icer
icer's right. They are closed (or at least it appears they are when I drive by). The notice does say something about bringing them back for a gift card when Covid restrictions are lifted.
Harbor freight is open in PA, took mine in and they gave me a gift card for the shelf pricing. I can't complain since I would have used a coupon to get them and the price isn't prorated after 5 years of use.
Who's got a recommendation for a reliable brand of jack stands?
Don't get under the car with just the jack under there, put in the stands for safety...they said...a little ironic and very concerning. My model numbers are much newer, checked last night.
Holy cow! Damn if it isn't scary. Mine aren't HF brand, but I remember having a chat with the big man upstairs while, by happenstance, installing a clutch in a 350Z. Something about "Dear Lord, please don't let me die here." while looking at the pawl release lever.
For those who had the affected part numbers, did the cleats look like this?
I returned my jack stands three or four days ago. I was offered a gift card or a new set of jack stands. I took the jack stands. They assured me the new stands were just fine.
Just wanted to add a bit more context for the failure/reason these are being recalled. Below is a picture showing the 6-ton jack stand shaft on the left (recalled P/N) and a good 3-ton jack stand shaft on the right. Notice the difference between size and shape of the teeth. Also the casting quality looks really poor as shown by the surface texture differences between the two (one is very coarse while the other is smoother and more defined).
-Icer
Harbor Freight 6-ton on left, Harbor Freight 3-ton on right.
Update: Additional Recall Announced. The following is a direct copy of the email notice I received from Harbor Freight:
A few months ago, we recalled our Pittsburgh 3 ton and 6 ton steel jack stands (SKUs 56371, 61196 and 61197) due to a manufacturer's defect. We asked customers to return them and receive a gift card that could be used to purchase replacement jack stands. I felt terrible about that recall because you should never have a concern about the safety of any of our products.Today, I feel even worse. I'm disappointed and embarrassed because we've identified a welding defect in a small number of the Pittsburgh 3 ton steel jack stands (SKU 56373) that replaced the recalled jack stands. We're now adding these jack stands to our recall. Unfortunately, this defect wasn't discovered during the initial recall investigation. If you own these jack stands or any of the jack stands in our original recall, whether or not you have had an issue with them, please stop using them immediately and bring them back to your local Harbor Freight Store for a full cash refund or store credit (see details here).
We have investigated all of our other Pittsburgh 3 ton steel jack stands (SKUs 56371, 56372 and 57308) as well as the Pittsburgh 6 ton steel jack stands (SKUs 56368, 56369 and 56370) and Pittsburgh 12 ton steel jack stands (SKUs 56374 and 56375) and did not find the defect. Although none of these other jack stands are being recalled, if you own any of them and have any concern whatsoever, please bring them back and we'll give you a full cash refund or store credit for those as well.
Now I need to double check my remaining 3-ton jack stands. Makes me scared to think about this, I just did a major drivetrain fluid service on my Wife's Acura RDX. I had the entire car off the ground supported by four of the Harbor Freight 3-ton stands.
-Icer
Last edited by icer5160; Jul 9, 2020 at 12:09 PM.
Reason: Put email contents within quotation.
