Farmall Cub

Mods, move, if appropriate. Want everyone to see.
Harbor Freight trailer spare tire holder.
Last night, I bumped my trailer spare tire, with a pallet, that i was unloading. (Gently, by hand) The spare tire fell, to the ground. On examination, the heads of both carriage bolts, holding the tire, were missing. I found one, on the ground. The other is somewhere, between here, and New Hampshire. The holder only was used on this trip, 500 miles, or less. The domed head, broke off, flush with the square shoulder, of the bolts. This could have caused a serious accident, had it happened, on the highway. I recommend replacing, or welding in, the wheel holding bolts. Mine is not attached with the bolts that came with it, but, I wouldn't trust them, if I were using them. Ed

ITEM NUMBER 93341

thanks for the heads up ed

I have warned people about harbor freight before, YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
just my opinion
Boss

I reported the defect to HF for what it is worth. I use their stuff, but will admit that some of it lacks quality. On the other hand, product recalls are a universal situation these days, regardless of where you shop.

Most Harbor Freight stuff I replace any critical hardware with my own. I have a motorcycle lift table and pretty much threw their hardware in the trash and used all new grade 5 bolts - It was worth the piece of mind. The metal that Harbor Freight uses in their hardware is too dang soft and sheers easily.

challenger wrote:I reported the defect to HF for what it is worth. I use their stuff, but will admit that some of it lacks quality. On the other hand, product recalls are a universal situation these days, regardless of where you shop.

I reported it, to the store manager. He offered me replacement bolts, from another package. I said "What makes you think I'd trust those bolts?". Bought Gr 8 bolts, and nuts, for replacement. Ed

Ditto on the observation that HF has substandard fasterners. Their bolts and nuts are made of soft untempered steel and their their lockwashers have no temper and twist apart when tightened.

challenger wrote:Ditto on the observation that HF has substandard fasterners. Their bolts and nuts are made of soft untempered steel and their their lockwashers have no temper and twist apart when tightened.

It's funny that you mentioned the poor quality of the lock washers. Most of them break or twist out from under the fasteners when tightening. It's almost like they are made of aluminum. Do yourself a favor and chuck them in the trash.

Don't try to use HF hose clamps either. You cannot tighten them on a hose before they self destruct.

Everything from HF is made in China with Chinese steel. It's ashame that they use the good name of "Pittsburgh" on their tool products - because I know there is no Pittsburgh Steel in them. Good advice to replace ALL hardware. Chinese bolts are known to be mis-marked as grade 5 when they are only grade 2.

I hate to disillusion all the Harbor Freight bashers, but much of the hardware in stores is the same quality. I have had the head pop off more than one carriage bolt from local store without having much pressure put on it. Unfortunately, the local stores (true Value, Ace, etc.) only have whatever quality their distributor sends, and most of them have also gone to china junk.

I have had carriage bolts from TSC pop the heads right off. If you have them holding on wheel weights take a look at them.

I only use grade 5 or grade 8 to many busted knuckles!

The problem with the supply system today is so much comes from China and it may even come from the same manufacturer, only under a different name. It is a lot like the gas we buy coming out of the same tank farm. It just means that everyone has to be a very decerning shopper to find the good quality stuff, and even then we all fall prey to getting junk on occasion.

I don't even think you get what you pay for. I got quite a surprise when a razor blade shattered as I was scraping off the gasket for the upper radiator neck, it was from a HF set. Safety glasses are apparently even required when riding behind Ed.