2 Post lift install problem

[Flynman]

Hello Everyone!! I am installing a Triumph C7000 2 Post lift in my garage and I have an issue with getting it level. I poured 2 3x4 concrete footings which are level front to back and about 1/16 off side to side due to slope out in garage floor. I drilled all of the anchor bolts and set both posts with no issues. I had to put 2 1/16th inch shim on the one side of both posts to level for slope in garage floor so it is perfectly level side to side. When I measure the distance between the 2 post top and bottom there is a 1 1/2 inch difference (wider at the top) How ever the bases are perfectly level and so is the concrete pads. I have to shim the back of both posts about a 1/2 inch to get it plumb. Is it possible the bases where not welded square to the posts?? Am I missing something here?? How much can you shim the posts before you have to pour a filler under the pad??


Thanks,
Keith R

 

[In My Garage]

Easy enough to measure. Is the base totally horizontal on both axis using your level? If so, are the columns vertical using the level?

Send the lift back if it is not square.

 

[Falcon67]

I never measured my columns, only used a 48" level on the columns to get them plumb. If it takes 1/2" of shims to plumb, I'd be contacting the mfg about the issue. I needed 2~3 shims in places because of the floor but nothing like 1/2".

 

[Flynman]

Yes both base plates are level side to side and Front to back. Vertically the faces of the 2 posts are leaning backwards 1 1/2 inches from each other at the top as compared to the bottom. That seems a little excessive considering the base plates are level all around.

 

[In My Garage]

Call them and have them send you a new lift.

Sounds like a safety issue to me. I'd tell them that.

 

[Flynman]

I will give the Manufacturer a call !!Thank you for the Replies!!

 

[koditten]

Mine were off as well, but only 1/4" shimming was needed. Yours seems excessive.

 

[Flynman]

koditten did you just shim under the edges and leave the base slightly tilted and nothing under the middle area of the base? Or did you pour anything like non shrinking grout so the entire base was touching the concrete pad?

 

[Flynman]

Ok so I called National Auto Tools and spoke to the Rep there. He said you should level the bases and that as long as the bases are level that there should be a slight back bend in the lift tower that will come slightly forward when the lift is loaded. However in the manual for the lift it says that the gap between the top and bottom face of lift should be the same distance. A little conflicting info. there? I am wondering if there is any downward deflection in the lift arms and that's why the lift is slightly tilted back??

 

[Buckgnarly]

Some good reading here...

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65457

 

[wssix99]

Yes both base plates are level side to side and Front to back. Vertically the faces of the 2 posts are leaning backwards 1 1/2 inches from each other at the top as compared to the bottom. That seems a little excessive considering the base plates are level all around.

I expect that your instructions aren't telling you to do this, right?

You should be leveling the posts by measuring on the side of the long posts (checking to see if they are plumb) instead of measuring the level of the baseplate. Then you check the distances between your posts.

Because your posts are long and your baseplates are short, the geometry works out that a very small deviation in your baseplates (smaller than what your level can measure) translates to a big deviation for the top of the column. The level of the baseplates is also not a significant thing - the plumbness of the posts is.

 

[sierradmax]

Don't forget, there could be some weld deflection in the baseplates.

 

[firebirdparts]

Ok so I called National Auto Tools and spoke to the Rep there. He said you should level the bases and that as long as the bases are level that there should be a slight back bend in the lift tower that will come slightly forward when the lift is loaded. However in the manual for the lift it says that the gap between the top and bottom face of lift should be the same distance. A little conflicting info. there? I am wondering if there is any downward deflection in the lift arms and that's why the lift is slightly tilted back??

Mine don't really move, no. They need to be plumb. My opinion is they just lied a typical sort of "customer service" lie.

With arm locks, which I assume you have, it can't track being out of plumb. It's going to drag its arms out from under the car.

 

[Flynman]

Ok...Sales Rep said there should be a slight outward tilt to the posts and Directions say to level and plumb posts. I am going with Directions. Need 3/16 shims on the low side due to outward pitch of garage floor and 1/4 inch shims on back side of base to get the posts within 1/8 inch of each other top to bottom of the faces. I did not measure low enough and thought I needed a larger shim. So I will shim it all up and check it all again today.

 

[pattenp]

I'll just add to support what others have said. I have a Challenger lift and the instructions say to plumb the towers and shim base plates as needed. There is no mention of leveling by the base plates. I recall there is a note recommending not shimming more than 1/2".

 

[maxpat82]

there's no way you should have to shim 1/2" to have the post come inward 1-1/2" at the top.

Plus would care about the level of the base plate....it's the post that need to be leveled and the base plated shimed the less possible (at least one corner shouldn't have any shim)

 

[In My Garage]

On my MaxJax which has columns about 5.5 feet tall, I angled them outwards using a flat shim under the width of the baseplate so that the top of the column is 1/8 inch "out". When the lift is fully extended with a 3000 pound car, the top of the column is "in" by an 1/8 inch. So a quarter of an inch of deflection.

 

[GNX423]

As stated plumb the towers and you are good. my base plates had some slight warping to them from welding. With the slope and getting the towers plumb, I think I am at 1/2 at the most in one spot.
It is locked in tight, and does not move at all. Check your anchor torque after each of the first few cars you put up, probably good to check after each going forward anyway.

I have a 2 post Atlas 9k.

Mike