Recommend Axle Stands

[Jakg]

I've got a set of 4 Halfords 2 ton axle stands, but the older pair (now 10 years old) have started to show cracks on the plate between the legs - probably from years of being used on a gravel uneven surface - thankfully no longer:





The obvious answer is to get another pair but I was wondering if there's anything better out there? Ratchet stands seem to be more popular now but I don't really understand the benefit.

Some thoughts:

• My jack has a max lift of 465mm so no need to go higher than that - the jack and stands were quite well matched
• Only work on cars / have a 2.5 ton jack so 1 ton per stand is probably fine
• I like the large flat head to sit on a BMW jacking point

[GreenV8S]

Ratchet stands are obviously easier to deploy since you don't need to mess around with lining holes up and installing the pin. But you need to be careful because some poor quality ones don't ratchet reliably which can lead to them collapsing under load.

[Dave.]

GreenV8S said:

Ratchet stands are obviously easier to deploy since you don't need to mess around with lining holes up and installing the pin. But you need to be careful because some poor quality ones don't ratchet reliably which can lead to them collapsing under load.

Easy to catch them with overalls/boots/tools too.

I tend to put the handle in the most awkward, least likely the catch place. Or at least I did before I bought my quickjacks.

[Belle427]

I have 2 pairs of halfords ratcheting type and find them pretty good.
I recently bought some second hand ramps/quick lifts and they are awesome.

[Scaleybrat]

I went for the ratcheting type also but bought ones with a locking pin to prevent any accidental knocking of the ratchet handle.

[Mars]

SGS is my go-to place for jacks and axle stands these days. I have a large SUV so I wanted both with greater load bearing AND greater height.

These are the new ones next to the older ones I gave to my son for his MX5. The older axle stands are also from SGS and were only used once.

By the way, get axle stands with the rubber platform covers. They are sold separately on SGS.

Similarly, get a jack platform pad that is appropriate for the jacking point of your car. As I was passing-on my old jack to my son, I bought a slotted pad for him which is right for his car. My car needs a rectangular block pad which you can see on the larger jack.

[GreenV8S]

Dave. said:

Easy to catch them with overalls/boots/tools too.

Depending how easy it is to release the ratchet under load, I imagine that could be quite nasty.

[Dave.]

GreenV8S said:

Dave. said:

Easy to catch them with overalls/boots/tools too.

Depending how easy it is to release the ratchet under load, I imagine that could be quite nasty.

Difficult to do if properly engaged with the weight of the car on it.

But if they’re not, or they’re poorly made etc.


Granted there’s an element of whatboutary, but still.

[E-bmw]

Dave. said:

GreenV8S said:

Dave. said:

Easy to catch them with overalls/boots/tools too.

Depending how easy it is to release the ratchet under load, I imagine that could be quite nasty.

Difficult to do if properly engaged with the weight of the car on it.

^^^^ Wot 'e said.

If the weight is on the stand & the ratchet is engaged, you would have to be lifting the car at the same time as catching the ratchet release lever.

[Chris32345]

On most the whole weight bearing central "pillar" has to raise up a few mm for along with the handle to unlock enough to lower dow so impossible to do so with the wight on the car

[GreenV8S]

On the dodgy ones, the angle of the 'ratchet' is so low that it's held in place by little more than friction. The worst ones would slip spontaneously under load if they were dirty / oily.

[Belle427]

I bought some SGS stuff and although its been fine for me most see it as junk so id just be careful.

[Olivera]

I have a pair of SGS axle stands and they have been fine, however my old SGS jack wasn't great and eventually failed. I probably wouldn't buy SGS again, just be aware their products are rebranded cheap Chinese crap.

[Jakg]

Mars said:

SGS is my go-to place for jacks and axle stands these days. I have a large SUV so I wanted both with greater load bearing AND greater height.

These are the new ones next to the older ones I gave to my son for his MX5. The older axle stands are also from SGS and were only used once.

By the way, get axle stands with the rubber platform covers. They are sold separately on SGS.

Similarly, get a jack platform pad that is appropriate for the jacking point of your car. As I was passing-on my old jack to my son, I bought a slotted pad for him which is right for his car. My car needs a rectangular block pad which you can see on the larger jack.

Belle427 said:

I bought some SGS stuff and although its been fine for me most see it as junk so id just be careful.

Olivera said:

I have a pair of SGS axle stands and they have been fine, however my old SGS jack wasn't great and eventually failed. I probably wouldn't buy SGS again, just be aware their products are rebranded cheap Chinese crap.

As above, I'm not interested in SGS after buying a jack and getting rubbish support.

[Scaleybrat]

Jakg said:

As above, I'm not interested in SGS after buying a jack and getting rubbish support.

ISWYDT

[Belle427]

Scaleybrat said:

Jakg said:

As above, I'm not interested in SGS after buying a jack and getting rubbish support.

ISWYDT

You trying to get a rise out of him?

[Bluevanman]

I have 2 pairs of these, really robust,never felt safer getting under a vehicle
https://www.halfords.com/tools/garage-workshop/axl...

[darreni]

I have 2 pairs of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-VS2003-Stands-Capa...

Rock solid. Though I still put a wheel ( if removed) under the sills as an extra safeguard. Just in case.

Edited by darreni on Saturday 9th March 20:06

[Bluevanman]

darreni said:

I have 2 pairs of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-VS2003-Stands-Capa...

Rock solid. Though I still put heel ( if removed) under the sills as an extra safeguard. Just in case.

They look the same as the Halfords ones minus the safety peg

[Jakg]

So far the Sealey AS3's seem good.



Higher weight capacity, no ratchet mechanism, more adjustability. Hoping a larger base for stability but will check.

I've checked my Halfords ones and it might be that it's the paint that's cracked, not the metal - but I don't want to risk it.