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[Andy B]

They don't appear to have stood the test of time very well but bear in mind it's only the centre tube of the axle stand that's taking the  weight, I have a pair that look similar but fold up. As Tunie says get your self to Machine Mart ...... while you can   ...... and buy a pair of theirs.

[sounds2k]

the clarke ones (from machine mart) have a solid base, the part that the car sits on is on a ratchet and is pretty solid ... OK they take up more space than the folding types but they're also a lot more solid  

[Markjay]

...Luckily had the foresight to have the jack still in place and the tyre underneath the sill...

Yep, I always do that....  

I had a look at Argos' website, the axle stands are not rated, is that a max load rating on the box or stand itself?

[Markjay]

No point complaining to the manufacturer I guess:

http://hilka.diytrade.com/sdp/170787/4/cf-565550.html

[Dave-C]

Completed the bearing changeout today on my F/N/S wheel and had a nearly life changing event whilst doing it.

The blummin axle stand I was using (with the tyre and bearing off and just the shaft visible) pinged under the weight of the car and did this to the Axle stand (I only purchased them 2 weeks ago!!!!) ....



to say I nearly followed through was an understatement as I was lying length ways to the car.  Luckily had the foresight to have the jack still in place and the tyre underneath the sill - safety conscious - now I know the reasons why

Anyhow  to the question.... during this bearing escapade I managed to snap the bleed nipple off the caliper when I had finished with putting it back together.  I will be able to extract the threaded part from the caliper - but have to wait 4 days for VX to get one in   - have manged to dig one out from the spares I have in the shed from my old P reg Vectra spares I still have. So before I remove it and possibly render my car useless for 4 days for an Omega spare from the stealers - is it likely to be identical threads/length etc or are they different per model?

I notice the address is on the stand,  send them a copy with your constructive complaint....  this maybe a cause for a recall... they may even thank you....  I would if I was Mr Hilka....

DC

Here's my list of companies that my really polite snotty letter is going to: Argos HQ; Hilka Imports (as per label); trading standards and the RAC since they endorse these stands as theirs Should be interesting what type of response I get. Will keep you all posted on any updates. Cheers for the support chaps  

Though Jeremy Clarkson has never seen an axle stand, I'd tell him too

This will surely prompt a product recall..

DC

[Dave-C]

No point complaining to the manufacturer I guess:

http://hilka.diytrade.com/sdp/170787/4/cf-565550.html

Fill in the form anyway....  They'll be English speaking,  FACT!

DC

AIM HIGH WITH THIS ONE

[Olympia5776]

I bought two sets from Lidl ( or was it Aldi  :-/)recently just because they could be folded up and put away instead of tripping over the old solid welded ones at the side of the garage floor.
I'm binning them .
Thanks for telling us about this.

Don

[Dave-C]

I bought two sets from Lidl ( or was it Aldi  :-/)recently just because they could be folded up and put away instead of tripping over the old solid welded ones at the side of the garage floor.
I'm binning them .
Thanks for telling us about this.

Don

Take 'em back with the picture of the faulty one....  get your money back....   Save 'em and wait for the product recall...

DC

[cdx25]

Its my biggest fear when working with cars, having the stands go.

Looking at those stands, it seams to be a kak design, why work on hinges?? - Take them back and give them what for!

Touch wood, the 2 tonne stands from machine mart have been good.

Overspeccing the lifting gear is a good move on any job esp if the car is heavy.  Scary picture...   Smart move to have the safeties in place.  Nasty moment I bet.

[Marks DTM Calib]

Leave the bleed nipple in until you get the replacement as they might be different.

It might seem daft to use different sizes of bleed nipple but, Gm dont make brakes, they buy in a standard system and fit it.....and different brake system manufacturers use different size bleed nipples....

[stevief]

it's only the centre tube of the axle stand that's taking the weight quote]

All well and good but any sidewards force applied to the vehicle and the whole thing tips, keep to solid ones with a good size pin for the height adjustment. Better a few inches of garage space lost than being pinned under the car.

Steve

[JamesV6CDX]

Was the weight of the car evenly distributed across the stands - and was the stand sat on the floor evenly (Eg not one / two feet in the air)...

[Marks DTM Calib]

Those stands look to flimsy to me......wouldn't be my choice of support.

[Tafty]

Go out for the day and come back to all that up there !!!!

The axle stands are rated at 2 tonne together (1tn each) Well that's what it said on the label and box - so both being used with even weight distribution and with all my tools removed from the boot as they where - am positive the SWL of the Omega is well below 2 tonne - although only the ar$e end of the car was in the air - front wheels chocked too. The stands should have been man enough to cope with the task at hand. Although they have now been returned to Argos and a full refund given - a safety notice issued to all other branches and an ar$e pocket of vouchers to boot - my scare has certainly grabbed their attention. Have been on to Trading Standards and e-mailed all the details of the unit, been in contact with Hilka Pro on Trading Standards advice and copied RAC on the issue too.

But as MDTM has said they probably are a bit too small but still capable if manufactured to recommended BSI standard BS AU 223a : 1995 !!!  So am now in posession of these 6 tonne babies :.....



I am not taking any risks in future that's for sure.

Anyhow the bleed nipples for the caliper - remeber them!!!!   aren't compatible so am having to wait till the stealers get the part in on Tuesday.


Cheers everyone shiny stars for all of you for your concern for my safety  

[Andy B]

it's only the centre tube of the axle stand that's taking the weight quote]

All well and good but any sidewards force applied to the vehicle and the whole thing tips, keep to solid ones with a good size pin for the height adjustment. Better a few inches of garage space lost than being pinned under the car.

Steve

I agree with you. Mine were bought many years ago while I was younger and stupider. Mine have been under my project Bond Bug for the last few years while I've been getting around to doing something with it!