MFortie
Well-known member
Can the MaxJax ‘arms’ be asymmetrical in length in use? One extended further than the other? Or will that cause problems with uneven loading?
TIA
TIA
MaxJax Q
- Thread starter MFortie
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Zeke
Well-known member
Well, if no one will comment, did you get a manual with the lift? If not, get one. I don't have a lift so I can only ask how else does one balance the load? You put the arms under the factory lift points and you move the load forward or back to achieve balance. That's how I see it. Maybe a YouTube video will help you.
Sure I got a manual. And yes, I've read it... 
My question is more to someone who actually has one and whether the arm lengths need to be within fractions of an inch of each other or is there a bit of leeway. The manual states to have the CG in the center of the posts but how many people know exactly where their car's CG even is?
And further to my intended (initial) use is lifting the body of my Chevelle on/off the frame with no front clip -- where would that CG be? Since I have a four-post (w/ rolling jack) as well for most of my work, my ongoing use will be primarily working on my Can Am X3 (change tires, grease wheel bearings, etc.), which is relatively light weight compared to a car or truck.
My question is more to someone who actually has one and whether the arm lengths need to be within fractions of an inch of each other or is there a bit of leeway. The manual states to have the CG in the center of the posts but how many people know exactly where their car's CG even is?
And further to my intended (initial) use is lifting the body of my Chevelle on/off the frame with no front clip -- where would that CG be? Since I have a four-post (w/ rolling jack) as well for most of my work, my ongoing use will be primarily working on my Can Am X3 (change tires, grease wheel bearings, etc.), which is relatively light weight compared to a car or truck.
We mostly used 2 post lifts when I worked at the Porsche shop. I'm no tech but the guys gave me a couple tips when I worked on my car. The first was to raise the car just enough to get the tires off the ground by a couple inches. Then bounce the front and rear bumpers up and down. If it felt stable on the lift, it meant you were good. My 914 is mid engine so dropping the engine had little effect on CG. The 911's are rear engined so you do have to keep that in mind. The rear could get very light once the engine was removed. We never measured arm length.
Read the manual and contact the manufacturer if you have any questions.
Raising the car a couple inches off the ground will give you a lot of positioning feedback without the danger of a big fall.
Read the manual and contact the manufacturer if you have any questions.
Raising the car a couple inches off the ground will give you a lot of positioning feedback without the danger of a big fall.
Briancapecoral
Well-known member
I have one and the arms are never perfectly symmetrical. Just lift it off the ground a little and rock it for your own peace of mind.
I have a MaxJax. If you do some digging you should be able to find info on a vehicle's CG. I put a mark on the floor to where the front bumper should be on a particular car and then move the arms to where they need to be to lift it. I've never worried about them being the same length. Balancing the weight on the lift is what's important.
olytdi
Well-known member
On some vehicles, you have to have the arms at different lengths in order to properly balance the vehicle. This because vehicles usually are limited in where the pads can go (lift points on a unibody vs choosing frame member location). I've never had a problem with altered symmetry on the MaxJax.
After lifting, I always then support the front and rear of the vehicle with tall jack stands such that the vehicle is then unmovable. Piece of mind to have your vehicle solicly supported at 6 points.
After lifting, I always then support the front and rear of the vehicle with tall jack stands such that the vehicle is then unmovable. Piece of mind to have your vehicle solicly supported at 6 points.