Maxjax lifting Uneven

[FlameOut]

My MaxJax has always lifted any vehicle fairly even (maybe a 1/2" off at most) but yesterday starting lifting way uneven. Probably 4" by the time it reaches full height. One column will reach full height then a few seconds later the other will.

I just lowered a vehicle and had the tires just touching the ground on one side and the other side was still 4" off of the ground.

I thought completely lowering and lifting a few times would correct this problem, but it hasn't. Also re-bled both lifts and nothing seems to be helping. Tried switching the hoses also. Same thing

Anyone have any idea as to why it would just start doing this out of the blue?

 

[FlameOut]

Here is a shot with the lift about halfway up. The level in front of the car is perfectly level. The lift starts out lifting level, then just get progressively worse as it lifts. Like one side is lifting to slow or one side to fast?

 

[72chevy]

Stupid question....but have you tried to bleed the system of air?

 

[e-tek]

Do you have the sticker attached with the man running away?? Well, this is the time to.....Run!!!!!!!!!!

Kinda kidding - but don't get under it like that! Call customer service ASAP!

 

[bazar01]

Not sure if I will have the same problem (hope not) but I am happy with the lift so far.
My 944 has been on the lift for about 3 months with no issues. It's now back on the road.

I am now working on a 96 BMW E36 engine replacement. Been happy with the Maxjax so far!

Flameout, yours must be a flow divider issue. I would go straight to the complaint department! Good luck!

 

[jmimac351]

I just got mine installed and am experiencing a similar issue; although, not as bad. I've got the system well bled. What did your issue end up being?

 

[FlameOut]

I actually just reinstalled my MaxJax today (removed it to insulate and drywall my new garage) I put my car on it and it's still lifting uneven. Even if I switch the hoses by going from right side of pump to left and left side to right, it still lifts the same column uneven. It was a good two inches by the halfway point. If it's the flow divider, would it still lift the same column faster than the other, regardless of how the hoses are attached?

 

[G-force]

If there is a problem it's in the flow divider. One way to try and level it out is to raise above a safety lock point, then bring it down on the bar to even it. If it does not lift level after that it's probably the flow divider.

Also you should be using at least 1 qt. more fluid than the manual states. You might be sucking air into the system near full lift which would cause issues.

 

[jmimac351]

Mine starts lifting evenly from the floor then about 6" up in the air one side seems to pause a bit and then start lifting again.

 

[jmimac351]

When I filled the resevoir with ATF it overflowed right at 7 quarts. I'll try adding another quart now that the lines / cylinders are full. I did notice that as I got the car fairly high in the air the pitch of the pump seemed to change. Not sure if that was air...

 

[Rodger]

When I filled the resevoir with ATF it overflowed right at 7 quarts. I'll try adding another quart now that the lines / cylinders are full. I did notice that as I got the car fairly high in the air the pitch of the pump seemed to change. Not sure if that was air...

When I installed mine I put in 7 quarts as stated in the instructions; the reservoir was nearly full. The first time I raised the lift, it raised about 3/4 the way (maybe a little more) then the pitch of the pump changed and I knew it was sucking air. I lowered the lift and checked the reservoir and it was half empty! (Made sense...had to fill the hoses, flow divider, etc.) I added 3 more quarts to again fill the reservoir. Then I was able to fully raise the lift and bleed the air. (Actually, it took several lift/lower cycles to bleed all of the air.)

I have never had any problems with mine not raising or lowering equally.

It sounds like you may have air trapped in one (or both cylinders).

1. Without a load on the lift, raise it to it's highest point. Make sure your reservoir still has fluid in it.

2. Bleed both cylinders...several times...to make sure no air is trapped.

3. Without a load, make sure both cylinders reach their fully extended limit. The pump will change pitch. (Not the high pitch cavitating sound...like when it is sucking air.) It will sound like it is overloaded....deadheaded...which it is. Don't do this very long; the pump is a positive displacement pump and it must move fluid to prevent damage.

4. Again...and VERY IMPORTANT, make sure your reservoir is not going empty before the lift is fully raised!

 

[jmimac351]

Rodger, I think that's probably it. When I bled the cylinders I was raising them to about half way then bleeding. Could be air in the lines that isn't pushing into the cylinder to escape. Between that and lower fluid level I'd bet that's it.

 

[Rodger]

When your lift is fully raised, the lift pads should be about 48" above the floor.

Run the pump, then bleed the cylinders. Keep repeating until the cylinders are fully raised and you only get fluid at the bleed screw. Just "crack" the screw slightly so it doesn't spray all over the place. Eventually you want to see only fluid (no air) come out around the threads.

Repeat for several raise/lower cycles until all the air is out.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[FlameOut]

I just spent the last hour raising and lowering and bleeding my lift, but no matter what I do, the one column always lifts faster than the other. Even if I crisscross the hoses so the flow divider is flowing to the opposite column, the same column lifts faster.

I really like having a lift, but I spend more time trying to fix it than I do using it

 

[revlover]

I just spent the last hour raising and lowering and bleeding my lift, but no matter what I do, the one column always lifts faster than the other. Even if I crisscross the hoses so the flow divider is flowing to the opposite column, the same column lifts faster.

I really like having a lift, but I spend more time trying to fix it than I do using it

Just curious, do you have weight on the lift and it's still lifting uneven?

 

[FlameOut]

Just curious, do you have weight on the lift and it's still lifting uneven?

Yes, I was lifting with and without weight, but I think I have it fixed. Seems to be lifting much more even now.

What I did was make sure lift was completely lowered (the arms actually dragged on the concrete), added about 3/4 quart of fluid (was past that screw) raised completely and held button for a few seconds longer. Bled both columns (got a little spurt of air out of one) and just repeated this a few times and now it seems much better

 

[UPSHIFT]

Flameout,

Please let me know if this problem continues, a few months back one of our hydraulic fitting suppliers sent us several fittings with a smaller orifice and if you have 2 different size orifices going into the cylinders that could cause the uneven lifting even if the air is out of the system.

Regards,
Gabe
Dannmar

 

[amishman]

I used my lift for the 1st time today since replacing a leaky flow divider. Man, was it really lifting uneven. I called Dannmar and they showed me how to bleed the system. I had mine pro installed so did not do the 1st time so had no clue on bleeding. So, I bled it twice and on 2nd time, only had fluid come out and no burp of air. Went from being like 6 " off to now, still off on left side as I look at the lift from behind but much better. Maybe I still have a little air in there. I lifted the arms without load about 2 feet, then loosened the bleed screw, lowered it, tightened the screw, then did same on other side. Did this twice. Maybe I need to raise arms all the way up and do again?

I did lift my VW bus and I would say the right side gets to tip top about a couple clicks before the left side. The lift stops lifting, I hit the button a couple more times and the left side lifts a little more, then it stops.

I would say when I let the lift down and set on the top safety bar, the VW bus did look a tad uneven still. My property is sloped do it could be an illusion but it still looked like left side was an inch or two lower. Maybe my garage is a tad slopped <grin>. I will take a picture next time I have on lift.

tj

 

[FlameOut]

Flameout,

Please let me know if this problem continues, a few months back one of our hydraulic fitting suppliers sent us several fittings with a smaller orifice and if you have 2 different size orifices going into the cylinders that could cause the uneven lifting even if the air is out of the system.

Regards,
Gabe
Dannmar

I'm still having the problem of uneven lifting. I haven't used the lift in a couple weeks, but when I went to use it today, it was really bad. The new cylinder you sent is lifting much faster than the old one. Even at the halfway point, it was about 2" higher than the other side. I put the safety bar in the lower side, then lowered the lift onto the one bar until it was even, then continued lifting to the full height. Tried bleeding when I reached full height, but no air came out

One other thing, when I was just doing some cleaning of the lift, I found the dust seal had fallen out of one of the columns. Not just partially, it was completely out, lying at the bottom of the cylinder

 

[tatra]

haven't set mine up yet as other things got in the way, but hope it is up and running before warranty runs out...............

 

[rbahr]

Mine has done this several times. I did end up replacing the flow devider and after the installation - including bleeding - it started to work fairly well. Lately the problem seems to be back - I will try and bleed things again...

Ray

 

[tatra]

you guys having these issues, do you disconnect the hyd. lines on a reg . basis?.....or if left connected. the probs creep up over time?..........

 

[gcan]

So far no problems with mine, I disconnect the hydro hoses when it's lowered and not in use

 

[FlameOut]

you guys having these issues, do you disconnect the hyd. lines on a reg . basis?.....or if left connected. the probs creep up over time?..........

Yes, I disconnect the lines when it's not in use. The uneven lifting wasn't to bad a month or so ago, maybe off an inch or so by the time it reached max lift height. This latest time is probably the worst it's ever been. I was actually a little worried even just going to the halfway point because the car was leaning so much

 

[sbarton]

I just spent the last hour raising and lowering and bleeding my lift, but no matter what I do, the one column always lifts faster than the other. Even if I crisscross the hoses so the flow divider is flowing to the opposite column, the same column lifts faster.

I really like having a lift, but I spend more time trying to fix it than I do using it

Here is what I did when this happened to me. Raise the lift to the max w/o anything on it, then swap hoses, then lower. It will be hard as hell to put the hoses back on. You might have to have someone push the lower button a little as you are trying to put the hose back on. It seemed to fix it for a little while, but is now a little uneven again.

-Scott

 

[sbarton]

I'm still having the problem of uneven lifting. I haven't used the lift in a couple weeks, but when I went to use it today, it was really bad. The new cylinder you sent is lifting much faster than the old one. Even at the halfway point, it was about 2" higher than the other side. I put the safety bar in the lower side, then lowered the lift onto the one bar until it was even, then continued lifting to the full height. Tried bleeding when I reached full height, but no air came out

One other thing, when I was just doing some cleaning of the lift, I found the dust seal had fallen out of one of the columns. Not just partially, it was completely out, lying at the bottom of the cylinder

One of mine fell out too when I got it. Is this bad? I can't figure out how to get it back in.

-Scott

 

[troublemaker427]

Mine was lifting uneven (3" or so) and nothing I did would fix it. Danmar sent me a new flow divider and it still does it. I spent over an hour bleeding the system after I installed the new flow divider but it is still not raising even. It appears this is some sort of design flaw that we will need to live with? It does lower even though....

 

[UPSHIFT]

Mine was lifting uneven (3" or so) and nothing I did would fix it. Danmar sent me a new flow divider and it still does it. I spent over an hour bleeding the system after I installed the new flow divider but it is still not raising even. It appears this is some sort of design flaw that we will need to live with? It does lower even though....

troublemaker427,

Did you have a vehicle on the lift when you blead the cylinders ? Also, if you swap the hoses from one side to the other at the cylinders what happens? Does the same side still lift higher ? Please understand we only monitor the GJ every few days and it is best to call or e-mail me and I can handle any issue you have with the MaxJax.

Gabe
Dannmar
877-432-6627
[email protected]

 

[G-force]

Mine have always lifted a bit uneven. I've swapped hoses, bled to the cows come home, nothing works. It's always the same side that lifts faster than the other.

The technique I've used is to raise it past the fist lock, lower and level on the lock, then raise it to the second lock and lower and level. It genarally lowers at the same rate.

I guess there must be some incosistency in the manufacturing of the cylinders. What else could it be. It *****, but unless Danmar can isolate the problem and replace the parts I will have to live with it. I just hope it does not get worse over time.

I had the same model flow divider on my old Bendpak P-6 and never had an issue with uneven lifts. If it was the divider I would think it would change sides when the hoses were changed, but it doesn't.

 

[UPSHIFT]

Mine have always lifted a bit uneven. I've swapped hoses, bled to the cows come home, nothing works. It's always the same side that lifts faster than the other.

The technique I've used is to raise it past the fist lock, lower and level on the lock, then raise it to the second lock and lower and level. It genarally lowers at the same rate.

I guess there must be some incosistency in the manufacturing of the cylinders. What else could it be. It *****, but unless Danmar can isolate the problem and replace the parts I will have to live with it. I just hope it does not get worse over time.

I had the same model flow divider on my old Bendpak P-6 and never had an issue with uneven lifts. If it was the divider I would think it would change sides when the hoses were changed, but it doesn't.

G-Force,

Please call me so we can solve your problem, it should always be within 1" tolerance of level. You are correct the MaxJax has the same hydraulic design as the P-6 (with double the lifting height). If you contact the Factory it is much easier for us to rectify any issue in a timely matter. We pride ourselves on fixing your problems so please give us the chance.

Gabe
Dannmar

 

[G-force]

G-Force,

Please call me so we can solve your problem, it should always be within 1" tolerance of level. You are correct the MaxJax has the same hydraulic design as the P-6 (with double the lifting height). If you contact the Factory it is much easier for us to rectify any issue in a timely matter. We pride ourselves on fixing your problems so please give us the chance.

Gabe
Dannmar

Gabe I'm shooting you over a PM. I think I may have found the problem with my lift raising uneven.

 

[Joe From NY]

please share with the rest of us..

 

[Gasket]

Mine has worked fine and lifts fairly evenly, within 1".

I have been using it a lot lately, changed the catback and replaced the fuel pump on my 2000 Trans Am. The fuel pump replacement required lowering the rear so the entire gas tank can be pulled out of the car. I don't think I would have replaced the fuel pump myself without the lift.

I had absolutely no problems with the lift so far.

The only suggestion I have to Danmar is to add more holes for the safety bars. It would be easier rotating the tires if one more set of holes were available lower then the existing holes. Some of us have wide tires that are very heavy, so it would be easier to remove and install them if the car was a lot closer to the ground.

 

[troublemaker427]

please share with the rest of us..

X2!!!

 

[FlameOut]

I've been using the heck out of my MaxJax. Sure makes it easy to remove and install the frame on my Chevelle. I couldn't imagine doing a car restoration without a lift.

Mine still lifts uneven at times, but if it's to far off at the half way point, I insert one of the safety bars on the low side, and slowly lower till it's even, then continue lifting.

No real complaints, but both dust seals have fallen out, and why are the additional adapters so expensive! I wanted to purchase 4 - 6" adapters, but at $40 each was a little much

 

[Joe From NY]

X2!!!

Hey G-force, don't keep us is suspense... What worked to fix your problem?

 

[troublemaker427]

Mine is still lifting uneven. Anyone come up with a way to fix this?

 

[TheShrine]

Mine is still lifting uneven. Anyone come up with a way to fix this?

Apparently, the fix is a secret!

 

[UPSHIFT]

Mine is still lifting uneven. Anyone come up with a way to fix this?

troublemaker427,

First I would be sure all the Quick Disconnect fittings are the same to assure same flow rating, second I would swap the hoses at the cylinder to see if the problem changes to the other side pointing at the flow divider as the possible issue. Always be sure there is no air in the system by raising the lift to the full height preferably with a load and open the bleeder with the locks in place of coarse. Please call me with any concerns so we can get them resolved for you. The 2 cylinders should always be within 1” of each other. Also be sure the car is as centered as possible for best result.

Thanks as Always,
Gabe
Dannmar
877-432-6627 X 126

 

[Hybridss]

Mine was doing this as well. I bled it several times in various ways but it was clear it was not a bleeding issue.

I did notice that the slides in the slots seemed to not be moving smoothly. They would chatter excessively. I suspected the unevenness was cause when lowering due to the mechanical resistance of binding in the channels. The paint was still tacky on some spots as well. I did a quck lube with some grease on the top half of each side...then moved the lift up and did the bottom half...then moved it up and down a bunch of times. Problem went away immediately and havent had an issue since. The lube job was half assed as well. I am going to go back in a do a good job soon.....I just havent needed to because even with the half assed lube job it works flawlessly. Even with no load.

FYI...I had a small acid brush that I bent in a U to get the hard to reach inboard side of the channels.


One other thing Gabe. make the hoses 3 feet longer! otherwise...great product!