4 post lift vertical posts lean in (not plumb)?

[Throttle an]

I just purchased and installed a Tuxedo FP8K-DX 4 post lift rated for 8k pounds. I have noticed that the posts lean "in" by 25-30 degrees each and are not even close to plumb (90* to the base plate). My floor is close to level but not perfect and the lean is a little unnerving when I have a car on it.

Has anyone else one of these lifts that could measure the lean in degrees to help put my fears to rest?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Daedalus]

I just purchased and installed a Tuxedo FP8K-DX 4 post lift rated for 8k pounds. I have noticed that the posts lean "in" by 25-30 degrees each and are not even close to plumb (90* to the base plate). My floor is close to level but not perfect and the lean is a little unnerving when I have a car on it.

Has anyone else one of these lifts that could measure the lean in degrees to help put my fears to rest?

Thanks in advance!

25-30 degrees? Post a picture.

 

[mossy66]

I would shim the base plate to achieve plumb posts.

Gerry

 

[brownbagg]

mine was like that but only about 12 degrees, I shimmed it with the shim that came with it, drilled the holes, and then before tighten, I mix some non shrink grout, tilted the column back and put a heathly gop under the column, let it sqeeze out, and tighten

im sorry, mine was a two post

 

[glentre]

25 to 30 degrees lean is huge; are you sure of this measurement? I wouldn't try to put a car on it until the problem is resolved. Which way are the posts leaning? If your measurements are correct, sounds like a manufacturing defect at the base plates.

Glen

 

[ace10]

When you say that you "installed" a 4 post lift. Does that mean you bolted it to the floor? And it that's what you did, was it done with the deck on or near the floor?

 

[rburke65]

Wow!....25-30*!! You need to go purchase a 4’ level. Loosen and reshim.

 

[Throttle an]

Here are some picutres.

 

[CRF250Rider]

For reference, this is a 3 degree angle. Your posts really don’t look too bad, although not plumb. I think that what you are seeing is just the play between the posts and guides.

 

[ace10]

Take the car off the lift, pull the tops of the posts outward in order to move the bases in just a little.

 

[Throttle an]

For reference, this is a 3 degree angle. Your posts really don’t look too bad, although not plumb. I think that what you are seeing is just the play between the posts and guides.

Yes, I think the shock of the lean made me over estimate the degree of lean!

 

[Zedder]

Mean leaned also. Shimmed and bolted down...now perfect.

 

[Viper98912]

I have this lift. It's due to the looseness of the guides inside the post channel when you first assemble it and it's somewhat pivoting on the bottom. Take the car off and fully raise and lower the lift a few times to let the posts self-center themselves. It should get a little straighter. After that, when you put car weight on it it should be fairly straight up and down. I've never had any issues.

 

[Throttle an]

What did you use to shim the plates? Those lag bolts look super long what type did you use?

 

[wssix99]

What did you use to shim the plates? Those lag bolts look super long what type did you use?

I have Bend-Pak lifts that came with shimming washers (and instructions) specifically for dealing with this issue/step. (The shims look like heavy duty washers with a cut in them so they are "C" shaped.)

What do your instructions say about plumbing the columns? Do you have any extra parts in the kit? Do they call for you getting your own shims?

There are some plastic shim kits on the market for auto lifts, but your manufacturer should be able to guide you to a recommendation.

 

[Zedder]

I had plates laser cut to address the slope of my garage at the same time. I used a laser level to see what I needed to add at each corner and bought extra long lag bolts to address the thickness of the shims. I used 2.5 inches of shims in the rear. My lift is perfectly level now.