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Garage Lifts

Started by Jeff Wilk, October 05, 2014, 09:07:08 AM

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Jeff Wilk

How about a string regarding how to best maintain personal/home garage lifts?  Whats critical to do?  How often?  Before a long winter?  Horror stories?
"Impossible Only Describes The Degree Of Difficulty" 

Southern New Jersey

1959 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special
1975 Eldorado Convertible (#12 made)
1933 Phaeton Chevrolet - "Baby Cadillac"
1933 Master Sedan Chevrolet - "Baby Cadillac"

SOLD
1976 Cadillac Mirage (factory authorized Pick-Up)
1958 Cadillac Sixty-Special
1958 Cadillac Sixty-Special
1958 Cadillac Sedan
1958 Cadillac Coupe Deville

D.Yaros

#1
On my Mohawk A-7 (2-post asymmetric) the only maintenance is to run the lift to full up with nothing on it twice in a row, as needed, to keep the arms in sync with each other.  One should also oil the chain links every year or so.  Lastly it is imperative to check the torque of the floor mounting nuts.  They should be 100 lb-ft.
Dave Yaros
CLC #25195
55 Coupe de Ville
92 Allante
62 Olds  

You will find me on the web @:
http://GDYNets.atwebpages.com  -Dave's Den
http://graylady.atwebpages.com -'55 CDV site
http://www.freewebs.com/jeandaveyaros  -Saved 62 (Oldsmobile) Web Site
The home of Car Collector Chronicles.  A  monthly GDYNets newsletter focusing on classic car collecting.
http://www.scribd.com/D_Yaros/

Steve Passmore

Mine require 150lbs which was not possible in my concrete as it would eventually turn the sleeve bolts in the concrete.  With a 47 Hudson convertible on there one day it started to pull the bolts so I designed a top bracing from one post to the other solving the problem, if the posts can't move towards each other they can't pull the bolts out.
Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe

gary griffin

There are numerous makes, models and configurations for lifts.  I chose a Bend Pak 4 post lift for several reasons. It does not require bolting to the floor and in fact I have wheels I can put on it and move it around. I chose a model that I can easily walk under with my boots on (I am 6ft-2 inches tall) and not hit my head, I also wanted the widest possible stance so I could easily drive under it and as I recall it has over 9 feet of clearance between the posts. It is also longer than usual and I have a motorcycle on the front sideways and a full sized car behind that.  It is not much good for maintenance but great for storage.

As to maintenance  I look it over once in a while but there is not much to maintain. It is not lowered very often so wear is minimal. 
Gary Griffin

1940 LaSalle 5029 4 door convertible sedan
1942 Cadillac 6719 restoration almost complete?
1957 Cadillac 60-special (Needs a little TLC)
2013 Cadillac XTS daily driver

curly

Gary, I'm not sure I would trust my classic car to a lift that has the word "Bend" in it.  :o >:D

T Lewis

INTMD8

Quote from: curly on October 05, 2014, 05:29:39 PM
Gary, I'm not sure I would trust my classic car to a lift that has the word "Bend" in it.  :o >:D

T Lewis

I trust mine  :D   Had it for about 10yrs. Recently moved to a place with more garage space and found everything to be in perfect shape upon disassembly.


D.Yaros

Quote from: S Passmore on October 05, 2014, 01:42:55 PM
Mine require 150lbs which was not possible in my concrete as it would eventually turn the sleeve bolts in the concrete.  With a 47 Hudson convertible on there one day it started to pull the bolts so I designed a top bracing from one post to the other solving the problem, if the posts can't move towards each other they can't pull the bolts out.
That sounds scary, very!
Dave Yaros
CLC #25195
55 Coupe de Ville
92 Allante
62 Olds  

You will find me on the web @:
http://GDYNets.atwebpages.com  -Dave's Den
http://graylady.atwebpages.com -'55 CDV site
http://www.freewebs.com/jeandaveyaros  -Saved 62 (Oldsmobile) Web Site
The home of Car Collector Chronicles.  A  monthly GDYNets newsletter focusing on classic car collecting.
http://www.scribd.com/D_Yaros/

Chris Conklin

Talk about a picture being worth a thousand words INTMD8, thats a great photo!
Chris Conklin

marty55cdv

   I am with Gary, 4 post with casters is what I chose,  not too much to maintain
Marty Smith
  CLC #22760
41 60 Special http://bit.ly/1Wm0GvT
55 CDV http://bit.ly/1G933IY
56 Fleetwood
1958 Extended Deck http://bit.ly/1NPYhGC
1959 Fleetwood  http://bit.ly/1OFsrOE
1960 Series 62 Coupe
1960 Sedan DeVille  4 window Flattop
63 Fleetwood http://bit.ly/1iSz17J
1964 Eldorado http://bit.ly/1Wm17GA  (Living in California now)
1988 EBC http://bit.ly/1iSACKz

Fred Pennington 25635

Steve, The top brace is a good idea, however the front to rear is the most common failure.
I had to cut, remove and pour new foundations for my lift, well worth the piece of mind.

As for maintenance, I don't think there is anything special for winter storage.
Just follow the manufactures schedule. 
Fred Pennington, CLC 25635
1940, LaSalle 5019
1940 LaSalle 5019 parts car
1968 Ford Bronco
1973 Mustang Convertible
2012 Shelby GT500

Steve Passmore

Your correct Fred, theres a huge responsibility on the operator to get the balance and centre of gravity just right with these two post lifts, I take some while before I'm satisfied I have the balance just so, even then I won't go under to work on a car without a transmission jack back and front.
Steve

Present
1937 60 convertible coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe
1941 62 coupe

Previous
1936 70 Sport coupe
1937 85 series V12 sedan
1938 60 coupe
1938 50 coupe
1939 60S
1940 62 coupe
1941 62 convertible coupe x2
1941 61 coupe
1941 61 sedan x2
1941 62 sedan x2
1947 62 sedan
1959 62 coupe

D.Yaros

My 2-post Mohawk has lifted:

1955 Cad CDV
1962 Olds Dynamic 88
1985 Buick Riviera
1963 Corvair Monza
1999 Toyota Avalon
2002 Toyota Camry (Solara)
2007 Toyota Avalon
2012 Toyota Avalon
1997 Nissan KingCab PU Truck

Of all the above the only one I ever noticed a front-back balance issue with was the Nissan pickup.  I regularly store my full-size Olds on the lift all winter, with another car under it.  Have no fears/concerns doing so at all.

I have far more fear/concern finding the proper lifting points on the new/modern cars!  Fortunately, the American Lift Institute puts out a pub that shows the proper lifting points for present day era cars.
Dave Yaros
CLC #25195
55 Coupe de Ville
92 Allante
62 Olds  

You will find me on the web @:
http://GDYNets.atwebpages.com  -Dave's Den
http://graylady.atwebpages.com -'55 CDV site
http://www.freewebs.com/jeandaveyaros  -Saved 62 (Oldsmobile) Web Site
The home of Car Collector Chronicles.  A  monthly GDYNets newsletter focusing on classic car collecting.
http://www.scribd.com/D_Yaros/

Whit Otis, 1188

I shopped for a four post lift and my first requirement was that the product be fully lift certified.  There were two lifts that met my certification and personal requirements, the Bendpak and the Directlift units.  I ultimately purchased a DirectLift made by Dover Corporation as it served my needs for height and capacity and was somewhat less expensive than the Bendpak.  While some may snicker at the name BendPak, it is really the Cadillac of lifts and is top of the line.  There are many lift products available out there, most of which are not certified and I wasn't willing to place my trust in those.  I ultimately went with the 4 post arrangement as I am getting older and you can simply drive on and drive off without the need to get on your hands and knees to position the lift arms or move them out of the way as you do on the two post design.  Also, the four post design is free standing and comes with castors as mentioned above, so you can move it all around.  Of course the drive on ramps take up some "work space" but then we all make our choices based on what works best for us.  As far as routine maintenance, there is a suggested visual inspection routine, but that's about it.  From time to time I take a rag and put a very light coat of oil on the cables, but that's about it. 
Whit
Whit Otis -
1941 6219D Custom
1941 6219D
1940 7533F
1986 Mercedes Benz 560 SEL
1999 Bentley Arnage
2019 XT5
Drawing of AP Sloan Custom by Terry Wenger

bcroe

Any lift needs about a 14' ceiling, and a lot of space.  I want to replace transmissions,
work on wheels, brakes, axles, pipes, and gas tanks.  The only one that allows all that is
a 2 post reaching under 4 points on the frame.  However, this type requires very good
concrete, you might need to re do it.  Been working well for a decade here.  Bruce Roe

INTMD8

The pic I posted has 11.5ft ceiling, only 11ft at the beam above the Brougham roof between the ceiling lights.

I could still stand under the car but I'm only 5'9"

I think 12ft + is ideal but you can get away with less if it isn't a truck/suv.

bcroe

Quote from: INTMD8The pic I posted has 11.5ft ceiling, only 11ft at the beam above the Brougham roof between the ceiling lights.   I could still stand under the car but I'm only 5'9"

I think 12ft + is ideal but you can get away with less if it isn't a truck/suv. 

The exact height will vary with the lift.  Since mine has nothing on the floor under the car,
the 2 side connect above the car.  I think its near 13', a bit of space to work on it is good. 
Bruce Roe

Chuck Swanson

Quote from: Whit Otis, 1188 on October 10, 2014, 01:50:08 PM
While some may snicker at the name BendPak, it is really the Cadillac of lifts and is top of the line. 

I believe that honor actually goes to Rotary Lifts.  I'm not saying that just because I own one  ;)  I have a 4 post.

Check out most shops, RV and truck places and you will see:

http://www.rotarylift.com/

Usually a little more expensive.  Chuck
CLC Lifetime
AACA Lifetime
Like 65-66 Club: www.facebook.com/6566Cadillac
66 DeVille Convertible-CLC Sr Wreath, (AACA 1st Jr 2021, Senior 2022, 1st GN 2022 Sr GN 2023), Audrain Concours '22 3rd in Class.
66 Sedan DeVille hdtp
66 Calais pillar sedan
66 Series 75 9-pass limo
65 Eldorado (vert w/bucket seats)
65 Fleetwood
07 DTS w/ Performance pkg.
67 Chevy II Nova (AACA Sr GN 2018)
69 Dodge Coronet R/T

Classic

Rotary and Direct-Lift are both made by VSG (Vehicle Service Group) of the Dover Corp.  Rotary focuses more on the commercial market, whereas Direct-Lift focuses more on the hobbyist.  Dover Corp. is an $8.7 billion corporation.
Gene Menne
CLC #474

Brad Hemingson CLC #18437

This is a great thread as I finally am getting my own shop again. Working a home in a 2 bay with a 9' ceiling doesn't cut it. I went half on a warehouse with a 24' ceiling. 1100 sq. ft with a mezzanine. It's not permanent so I'm looking at a 4 post hoist on casters.

My main question is when working on brakes and suspension what manufacturer has the best "trolley" jack system for letting the wheels hang and how much room do you to work?

D.Yaros

Quote from: Chaz Swansen on October 15, 2014, 08:17:21 PM
I believe that honor actually goes to Rotary Lifts.  I'm not saying that just because I own one  ;)  I have a 4 post.

Check out most shops, RV and truck places and you will see:

http://www.rotarylift.com/

Usually a little more expensive.  Chuck
Some would say Mohawk is the primo when it comes to lifts.
Dave Yaros
CLC #25195
55 Coupe de Ville
92 Allante
62 Olds  

You will find me on the web @:
http://GDYNets.atwebpages.com  -Dave's Den
http://graylady.atwebpages.com -'55 CDV site
http://www.freewebs.com/jeandaveyaros  -Saved 62 (Oldsmobile) Web Site
The home of Car Collector Chronicles.  A  monthly GDYNets newsletter focusing on classic car collecting.
http://www.scribd.com/D_Yaros/