Centering car between 2 post lift columns, what is your technique?

[infinkc]

I always tend to favor one side more and land up getting out of the car a few times to check.

How are you guys centering when using a 2 post?

I see that rotary has a built in laser to help guide. Anyone make something similar? wide mirror in front?

 

[Refuse1]

I took a cheap laser pointer, wired it to a usb cable for power and attached a magnet to the laser. I just stick the magnet to the cross tube on the lift and it shines straight down in the middle of the car. The red dot in my case ends up somewhere on the dashboard depending on the vehicle.

Laser pointer here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QJQ9KSP/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[AJHD]

I just did the best I could. Typically it didn't matter enough to be concerned. I always favor my left side though. Also, I usually pulled up until the mirrors were inline or just ahead of the posts. Still enough room to get out of and in the car without having to move it again.

The only time it really seemed to matter was with bigger trucks, but they usually kind self center themselves anyway due to size, it was usually more about getting equal weight so the rear or front end did not tip one direction. That's also why using a lift support/tall adjustable jack stand under the rear end can help stabilize the vehicle.

 

[coljar]

I have an arrow in the center of the wall in front of the hoist. I can get it close, but back in the day when I was doing it for a living, I could get it over the inground hoist real close to the center without an arrow.

 

[Matt M PA]

I got a convex mirror from McMAster Carr and mounted it on the wall in from of my 4 post. Very helpful.

 

[sberry]

I have smetrical lines painted on the floor. Center the tires.

 

[sweetk30]

36" convex mirror round . like stores use for isle corner looking from the register desk .

it lets me see ALL the lift and vehicle . plus i can check my own lights on the vehicle by my self .

also 15+ years practice as a wrench turner and now 7+ in my home shop .

 

[Jlbc212]

I have a line on the floor centered between the two posts and running the depth of the garage. I'll get out of the vehicle, make sure it's centered front and back and adjust if necessary. But I do like the suggestion of a laser pointer and may incorporate one in the garage. I might try using my laser level with a magnetic base mounted on the toolbox on the back wall. All I would have to do is switch it on before driving the vehicle in and align the light beam with the center of the vehicle while driving in.

 

[nadogail]

I don't have a lift, but I use a Tennis Ball hanging on a string to center vehicles in my garage.

 

[brownbagg]

just drive in

 

[jsaw]

On bigger vehicles I use the outside mirrors as a guide. Most of the trucks I work on the mirrors are a few inches from the posts.

 

[Spencer Was Here]

I started a thread on this topic a little over three years ago called "Methods For Easily Positioning Vehicle And Arms On 2-Post Lift".

Here is a link:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=374733

 

[BolognaBlake]

I just drive in? Never really thought about it.

 

[unslow1]

I just drive in? Never really thought about it.

Same here.

 

[zollster]

Yup, got to agree, just drive in.

 

[CraigStu]

22 years as a dealer tech and just used the outside mirrors. The little bit I might have been off was easily accommodated by the adjustable length arms.

 

[boostedranger]

Practice. I am a technician and after a while you get a feel for being centered and square. Its easier when you are pulling straight in, but becomes fun when you are inside a building and need to turn 90 to get into the lift. you don't need to be perfectly centered, unless you are dealing with a vehicle that is right around lift capacity.

 

[infinkc]

I started a thread on this topic a little over three years ago called "Methods For Easily Positioning Vehicle And Arms On 2-Post Lift".

Here is a link:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=374733

Thanks! think i will go this route with the laser. I have a green one already so i guess i can just put it out when i use the lift, no need to buy another. My expansion/control joint on the slab is directly down the center already, so even easier to line it up.

 

[rburke65]

Practice....all it takes is practice

 

[65ranchero]

Any one using wheel plate/chock
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GOJBOH8/?tag=atomicindus08-20
.I do and I still usually need to do it twice I also tend to have the L side closer to the L post making it difficult to open the door

 

[Mr_fixit]

Drive in, look, next time you'll get a little better.

 

[firebirdparts]

just drive in

Same here.

 

[TonyG109]

I hung a large convex mirror on the back wall (facing you as you drive in) and put a long 1" vinyl tape line on the floor centered between the posts. Simply look in the mirror and center the vehicle on the tape line as you drive in. Nothing to turn on, no batteries required. You can also use the mirror to check the front lights. I put a smaller convex mirror on the inside of the garage door so when the door is closed I can just look in the rear view mirror and check the lights on the back of the vehicle.

 

[king nero]

I have to back in 90° sideways, so 2 stripes that extend up the wall (otherwise I have to lower the side mirrors)

 

[Gerald O]

Easy. Lean over from your seat toward the center of the vehicle and sight down the centerline of the hood as you drive in.

 

[jh87]

Any one using wheel plate/chock
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GOJBOH8/?tag=atomicindus08-20
.I do and I still usually need to do it twice I also tend to have the L side closer to the L post making it difficult to open the door

Our auto shop in high school had those at all of the lifts. Seemed to work well enough. Although you had to go slow and really pay attention for the feel of the tire landing on the plate.

 

[logical]

Try closing one eye.

 

[JRC3]

I have a rubber bumper on a string hanging from the ceiling centered over my mid-lift. When I drive over the lift I make the bumper land on the windshield centered with the mirror mount. Eventually it just drags onto the roof.

The main reason for the string and bumper is because I park backwards in the garage and want my front bumper about 3" from the door when it goes down. When the bumper hits the back window of the truck I'm there.

 

[Shadowdog500]

Thanks for the laser idea. I just bought an inexpensive laser level on Amazon that projects vertical and horizontal green lines. I plan to put a mount on the wall in front of my lift. This level will also come in handy for other projects.

I have one vehicle that has to be dead nuts on to get the pads located properly. If this works it will be great because I’ve resorted to using my pump up wheel dollys to adjust that vehicle to the final position while crawling around by the pads. It will also help me center any car better since I tend to favor the drivers side column.