Bendpak GP7 Lift Problems... Again

[Imatk]

Hoping someone has had a similar issue with their lift with a fix.

I've contacted Bendpak and crickets at this point.

The lift basically seems like it's binding. It bounces all the way up and all the way down.

I don't know if it's because it needs different lubrication? Or if there's some kind of defect?

I've followed the bleed procedure (it's supposed to be self bleeding) and still have the issue.

This lift has "groaned" since I've owned it and I'm now beginning to wonder if there's some kind of defect.

When they installed the lift (I REALLY wanted to do it myself, but I don't have a forklift so ya know) they put the hydraulic lines in backwards. So when I went to lift it, it didn't work and the cables at the top were basically pushing out of the track.

I didn't know why it was doing that so contacted the company that installed... they came back out and reversed the lines and it worked.

BUT it's had this groaning issue from the start... and after my first problem I realized they didn't lubricate the blocks in the post at all, or any of the cables at the top.

So I did all of that and it seemed to be ok for a bit.

But then it started groaning again. And now it bounces.. yay!

Hoping someone with more knowledge about lifts can give me some input and figure out what's going on.

Here's a video.

http://www.samjam.com/Video/BrokenLift.m4v

 

[whateg01]

Probably more help if you use a video format that's more common. My phone won't open a m4v.

 

[Imatk]

Here's an mp4


http://www.samjam.com/Video/BrokenLift.mp4

 

[Cairo94507]

I have had 2 BendPak lifts installed by BendPak in my last 2 homes. I have never had anything but great customer service from them.

I would call and speak with BendPak and ask for a manager and explain your issue and send them the video. The problem, possibly, is that the installer may have screwed something up that is causing this issue. I would tell BendPak you are not trying to assign blame, you just want the lift to function properly and safely. I would ask them to have a tech come sort it out. BendPak is down past Santa Barbara in CA if I recall. I have no idea where you are. If not local, they might be able to recommend a local technician to sort it.

 

[Imatk]

I have a ticket in which has been in for two days and haven't heard anything. I actually haven't always had the best customer service experience... to put it lightly.

The only tech that would come out here is the same one that installed the lift and I don't have confidence that they would be the person to fix whatever mistake (if any) they made.

They have the video in the ticket

 

[Yankeefarmer]

When my (Advantage- slightly different design) hinted at doing what you describe, I simply applied an automotive wax to the columns and it cured it.

 

[Imatk]

That's the thing, I switched from regular "green grease" to the 3 in 1 Garage Door Lubricant, hoping that would improve things but I guess not.

I'd be interested to know if there's a "dedicated" lubricant for these things.

 

[theegovernor]

Axle grease is the standard

 

[Junkman]

Put a level on the posts to make sure that they are both level and square. It appears that it is binding as it goes up and down, which will happen if the columns are not in proper alignment with each other. Use the level long side pointed down and check both front and side to make sure that they are parallel with each other. Have you tried to raise and lower the lift with nothing on the arms? I'll bet that it will run smoothly as silk up and down. Put a car on it, and it will change.

 

[Walkers]

Go on their site and download the install manual. Then chase down all the cable routing, hose routing, etc and see if you can something installed wrong. Measure the posts top and bottom and see if they measure the same. Measure them with a load to see if the are flexing.

 

[Imatk]

Put a level on the posts to make sure that they are both level and square. It appears that it is binding as it goes up and down, which will happen if the columns are not in proper alignment with each other. Use the level long side pointed down and check both front and side to make sure that they are parallel with each other. Have you tried to raise and lower the lift with nothing on the arms? I'll bet that it will run smoothly as silk up and down. Put a car on it, and it will change.

That's exactly what it's doing. Unloaded the lift is smooth. With a car on it, it bounces.

I've had this lift since March of last year. It has groaned from the beginning, but the bouncing is new.

If it isn't parallel what is the fix?

 

[finn]

Sounds like air entrainment to me.

 

[Junkman]

That's exactly what it's doing. Unloaded the lift is smooth. With a car on it, it bounces.

I've had this lift since March of last year. It has groaned from the beginning, but the bouncing is new.

If it isn't parallel what is the fix?

Tell the people that installed the lift the problem and have them troubleshoot it. Let them find their own mistake on the installation. If you bought the lift directly from BendPak, they might be inclined to blame the manufacturer. If you purchased the lift from them, they are responsible for getting it corrected.
With the car on it, the posts might not be set properly. Do you know how to use a tape measure and check the squareness of the lift posts? I am not being sarcastic, but I have no idea what your knowledge base is. You have to have some basic knowledge of geometry to figure out all of this, and I am not one that can teach that long distance. If you know a good carpenter, he can possibly give you a hand at doing this. It will require creating a measured square on the floor using chalk and measuring diagonally to establish if the posts are square and parallel with each other. With a car on the arms, there is a tension that has developed and is causing the issue. That is why when there is nothing on the lift it goes up and down smoothly.