What to do if the jack stand is unstable? 3 tips to quickly eliminate safety hazards

When using jack stands for vehicle repairs or heavy equipment support, unstable stands are a common safety hazard. A little carelessness may cause the stands to topple, the vehicle to slide, or even cause a serious accident. How can you quickly solve the problem of the stand shaking, tilting, or weak support? We provide you with 3 practical tips to help you quickly eliminate risks and ensure operational safety!

1.Check whether the ground is flat and solid

Cause

• Soft, uneven or inclined ground will cause uneven force on the bracket, making it easy to shake or even fall over.
• Common Mistake: Using jack stands directly on sand, mud, or a slope.

Workaround

✅ Choose a hard and flat surface (such as cement floor, steel plate)
✅ Use anti-skid mats or wooden boards to increase the support area and prevent sinking
✅ Adjust the bracket base to ensure that all support claws are fully in contact with the ground

⚠️ Note: If the ground conditions are too bad, change the work location or use more stable support equipment (such as heavy-duty safety stands).

2.Confirm the locking status of the jack stand

Cause

• The hydraulic jack may slowly release pressure, causing the bracket to sink.
• If the mechanical screw bracket is not locked, it may be loosened due to vibration or external force.

Workaround

✅ Hydraulic support: Check whether the cylinder is leaking and add hydraulic oil if necessary.
✅ Mechanical bracket: Rotate the handle until it is fully locked and secure it with a safety pin
✅ Test stability: gently push the bracket to see if it shakes, and readjust if necessary.

⚠️ Note: Do not rely on a single jack for long-term support; use it with a safety bracket.

3.Check whether the bracket load-bearing capacity is suitable

Cause

• Overloading the bracket can cause the structure to deform and lose stability.
• Mismatched bracket types (e.g., using a small bracket on a heavy vehicle) can also be dangerous.

Workaround

✅ Check the maximum load capacity of the bracket (check the product label)
✅ Estimate the weight of the vehicle/equipment to ensure that the bracket load is not exceeded
✅ For heavy-duty operations, use industrial-grade brackets (such as 3-ton and 5-ton models)

⚠️ Note: If the bracket is deformed or bent, it must be replaced and cannot be used any further!

Emergency treatment

If the jack stand has begun to tilt or sink:

1. Evacuate the danger area immediately and avoid standing under vehicles or equipment.
2. Lower the stand slowly (if equipped with a control handle) to avoid a sudden fall.
3. Recheck and reinforce the supports, or replace with more stable ones.

An unstable jack stand is not a small problem. A slight mistake can lead to a serious accident. Keeping in mind these three key checkpoints - ground stability, stand locking status, and load-bearing matching - can greatly reduce the risk. Safety is no small matter, and standardized operation can ensure safety!