4 post lift sagging?

[runutzzzzz]

I've got a friend that has a 4 post lift and when a car is on it the runways sag in the middle. Is this normal for 4 post lifts? Is it due to age?

 

[gsport]

is he over loading it??

 

[runutzzzzz]

No, he's got a bmw sedan on it.

I'm just wondering because I also have a lift and am wondering if this is something that will eventually happen?

 

[c39er]

I have a Rotary 12,000lb 4 post lift- 23' extended length open front. Run ways are 7" tall. Never any sagging. A dually 1 ton is on it in the picture.
Bob

 

[Nealcrenshaw]

No!!!!. It should not Sag.Make sure the lift is not overloaded and make sure it is assembled correctly and Call the place where he bought it from or the Manufacturer and explain your problem.

I would also not go under the lift until it is corrected.

 

[rsanter]

what brand??
how old??
I would have to say it should not sag...I find it a bit scary

bob

 

[Kevin54]

Is the lift bolted to the floor. If not, are the legs kicking out any? I would really be leery about being under it if it is sagging. My nephew has had hundreds upon hundreds of cars and trucks on his and it has never sagged.

 

[PhantomPark.com]

A little flex is normal depending on the length of the runways. However, if you're speaking of a standard residential four post hobbiest lift with 160" long runway, 7K capacity, then there shouldn't be any flex. Do you know the brand? Most four post lifts found on the internet are imported from China. Some of these imported lifts are not built to the quality we hope for.

Brad Davies
American Custom Lifts
www.aclifts.com

 

[runutzzzzz]

It's a old backyard buddy. If you look straight on it's maybe 1/4"?

 

[revlover]

Yikes!!

An American made lift???

 

[Junkman]

It's a old backyard buddy. If you look straight on it's maybe 1/4"?

Yikes!!

An American made lift???

It must be that that old iron is very tired. I think that a couple of shot of Geritol will restore the missing iron contend, and a few ****** tablets will give it the rigidity that it needs again...

 

[Flatmotor]

It must be that that old iron is very tired. I think that a couple of shot of Geritol will restore the missing iron contend, and a few ****** tablets will give it the rigidity that it needs again...

You might want to start out with 1 ****** tablet. More than that might make the lift so long that it won't fit in the shop. Bill

 

[RacerX]

But remember, if it stays raised more than 4 hours and won't go down, call your doctor

You might want to start out with 1 ****** tablet. More than that might make the lift so long that it won't fit in the shop. Bill

 

[e-tek]

But remember, if it stays raised more than 4 hours and won't go down, call your doctor

You could also try "slapping it", "flicking it", pouring cold water on it, or, last but not least, thinking of your Mother-In-Law....

 

[DynoDave]

A little flex is normal depending on the length of the runways. However, if you're speaking of a standard residential four post hobbiest lift with 160" long runway, 7K capacity, then there shouldn't be any flex. Do you know the brand? Most four post lifts found on the internet are imported from China. Some of these imported lifts are not built to the quality we hope for.

Brad Davies
American Custom Lifts
www.aclifts.com

I agree with the above in principle. All steel flexes. The question is how much. I'd take a measurement from the bottom center of a ramp to the ground, with the lift empty and resting on a known set of stops. Then measure again from the same spot to the ground, with it resting on those same stops, with the car on it.

runutzzzzz mentioned a ball park figure of 1/4" of sag. Is 1/4" of sag over 160" span excessive? I don't know. I know I've seen the arms on some two posts bowing under the weight put upon them (well within their design limits), and not thought too much of it.

 

[ovilla]

e-tek - You just game me a visual that I won't be able to clear from my head all day now.

Anyway, what type of car is your friend putting on this lift? Does it weigh more than 7K lbs?

 

[runutzzzzz]

e-tek - You just game me a visual that I won't be able to clear from my head all day now.

Anyway, what type of car is your friend putting on this lift? Does it weigh more than 7K lbs?

BMW sedan, maybe 4500#?

 

[e-tek]

Yikes!!

An American made lift???

Yes, "American Made" - but he saw a "Made in China" sticker on the bottom of the 'shorter' leg!