I'm looking for a good set of jack stands to use for my TL-S. I do not want to skimp on these being my life could depend on these, but I do not want to spend more money than I have to on them. So far these are the two that I've come down to:

http://www.harborfreight.com/3-Ton-S...fQ%3D%3D%0D%0A


I know HF's reputation with most tools, but the reviews are all good on these stands (there are 3 different listings for these stands and none of them have negative reviews).

I've heard a lot of people swear by the Hein-Werner stands, but I could buy 2 sets of the HF stands for the cost of one set of the Hein-Werner. Does anyone have any experience with either of these, or any addition recommendations?

I already own a set of ramps, but I have an issue with them sliding on my garage floor. Does anyone know good non-slip mats I could use, or another method to keep them from sliding? Drilling into the garage floor isn't an option. I still live at home and that is not something that my parents will allow. Thanks!

 

Go with the cheaper ones I have a kit from Autozone exactly like those and have them from around 5-6 Years? Though mine are rated for 2 Tons I have lifted my TL on 4 Stands with ease...


The more expensive ones seems like they are overpriced by Brand Name only.

 

Thank you! I had a feeling I would just be paying for the brand name. I plan on keeping a jack under the car when using them regardless.

 

remember the car weighs around 3,500lbs.
If you lift the front of the car and use 2 jack stands rated for 2tons you'll be fine. The ones I have at home I believe are older than me.

Cast steel, and have had both hold the front of the car for days without any problems. Some of those days were really windy as well. For safety measures I try rocking the car once I lay the car on the stands.

 

I have a set of those exact HF 3 ton stands as an extra pair.
They have fully served their purpose at a reasonable price for the average backyard DIY'er.

 

If your car isn`t lowered or have an aftermarket front lip on it check this out. It is the easiest way to raise your car and safe. Harbor freight.

 

I'll definitely be safe when using them and it's good to hear someone else that can speak for them.


I actually do own these ramps already. I only have two issues with them:

1. My younger brother has a Corolla and the last time we put the car on these ramps it ended up cracking his bumper.

2. The height is fine for my TL, but they slide on my garage floor. I've tried using rubber mats, but after a while those started sliding also (even when cleaning them and the floor before use). Any recommendation on any specific mats I could put under them to keep them in place?

 

Two questions.


1. Are you Ryan Braun?
2. Have you tried something with more stick like double sided tape, you can peel it off and these days much stronger.

 

Nope, not me and I haven't tried that yet. I'll give it shot next time I need to use them. Thanks

 

It's good to have both, depending upon the task. You'll like the adj. stands !!!

The ramps work better outdoors, but perhaps ya could wedge a piece of wood between the front of the ramps and the garage's wall ? IDK.

 

I dunno..


I once used a Ramp on my TL when it was stock height and it all when good when ascending but it became a Headache while descending the bumper started to get stuck in the flat section of the ramp and it would bend when trying to get lower, Eventually I had to remove the bumper to avoid damage..

 

Ramps are cool and what not, but I hate it when I'm alone and that it is set at 1 height.

This is what I have at home

If you want ramps, I recommend making your own.

 

I use a pair of craftsman jack stands rated to 2 1/4 tons and never had an issue.
I also use a pair of Rhino ramps to get the car up, but since I am dropped I put a piece of 2"x10" in front of the ramp and that gives the car enough clearance to drive up the ramps.

 

I've used the ramps 3 or 4 times and I haven't had any issues with the bumper touching them. The first few times I had a rubber mat under them to stop them from sliding, but the last time I tried, the ramps were somehow ended up sliding under my car. Had to jack it up to get them out. This happened 2 or 3 times and then I just gave up and used 3 jacks to do the oil change.

On the plus side, one of the ramps that slid under my car knocked out a socket that a mechanic must have left. It's been almost a year since I've had anyone other than myself do any work on it and it was under there all this time.

I just don't understand how someone could leave a socket that large without noticing it before you finish working.

 

I picked up the stands earlier. I might use them tomorrow to do a rotation. It's free at Costco, but I'm working whenever their tire center is open. I've been trying to bring it in there for weeks already to avail.

I'll see what I can rig together to get these ramps to stay put.

 

Can jack stands be used directly under the jack support points on the edge of the frame? I've done it that way with no problem but I've heard of people bending those tabs flat, and saw a reference to some kind of adapter to use.

 

Ive been putting them there for over 600k miles and havent bent a tab yet. What usually does is the cheap floor jacks with the small 2" lifting pad and a jack that cant roll as it goes up.

 

I've used Harbor Freight jack stands for years with zero issues on my TL and much larger vehicles.

 

And just to confirm, we're talking about the jack stand placed here, after jacking up from the central beam?

There are a few different types of shapes on jack stands, I see some have a groove, I assume for the tab?

 

With all the various shapes and sizes available, one could only assume that the groove would be more receptive and better suited for placement of the tab within it's surface contact point of pressure.

 

I picked up the HF stands. Just curious, what are two good jack point to use so I can get the car up without putting too much pressure on a part of the car that is not meant to support it?

If the central beam you're referring to is where you jacked the car up from, where is that?

 

i have some from gm performance that came with a jack, i have used them on my tl, explorer, and my old impala and have never had a problem. i always rock the car a little to make sure they r going to hold in case strong wind or something happens while I'm under it

 

Look under the front of the car from the very middle and follow it back, you'll see a cross beam that protrudes down a bit in the center of the car and iirc a drain hole in it... jack from there.

The rear I'm not sure, last time I tried to use what I thought was the official jack point I caved in the bottom of my trunk.

 

I have the Harbor Freight 3 ton jack stands and they work fine. I used them on a 99 avalon and my TL and I am still alive.

HF also sells these and I will never use anything else again.

http://www.harborfreight.com/solid-r...ock-96479.html

 

I got this stuff when a garage was closing down. The jack was $35 and the stands were $25.

 

Old school, but they look solid.

 

The stands are from the '50s, at least. Maybe earlier. Rollmarked "6000 pounds max capacity".

The seller, mechanic John Gallagher of Havertown, may have gotten them from the old Abbott's Square Dairy Garage that used to be located on South Street, Philadelphia, between 2nd and 3rd, when he worked there as a diesel mechanic. And the Ajax floor jack only needed a $35 universal joint.