MaxJax slight rock from front to back when applying pressure?

[gokussx4]

Been a while since I used a professional lift in a shop but I don't remember it being able to rock when you push on it. It is very subtle though, you have to look for it to notice.

I know the instructions say don't rock the vehicle so maybe that should be indication that it will.

Anyone else experience the same thing? I would really enjoy hearing others experiences.

 

[abstamaria]

I don't think it should do that, gokussx4. Why not ask MaxJax?

Andy

 

[SMKS]

Are you talking about the body moving, as if the bolts in the floor aren't tight? Or, are you talking about the arms?

On the lifts I've used the arms could move a little, even when in the locked position. But I don't think the actual body of the lift should move. I will say, I haven't used a Maxjax.

 

[Denee007]

I'm an absolute maxjax enthusiast! but I don't know everything ther is to know, but can use common sense to rule out if you're in danger? I generally take a vehicle up a few inches off of the ground, then push adequately yo make sure the car is stabile, then recheck the pads the car is sitting on, and make sure the locks on each supporting arm is locked into its groove!

However,
Are you concerned that the columns themselves are moving(bad), or the cradles are moving a tad(I'd think a little "give" is normal. I use tall jack stands to stabilize my vehicles, not shown in this photo. If you're concerned about your anchors, then I'd unbolt the columns, then check each of my anchors! Epoxy or mechanical anchors? Need more info. I generally keep magnetic levels on my columns to see at a glance if something is not quite right.
Dne'

 

[torquepower85]

Check the torque on the bolts maybe? Also check if any concrete dust next to the anchors? Maybe your floor is starting to give.

Are the arms wobbling or the posts?

 

[gokussx4]

The posts themselves are rock solid. If I push down on the nose of the car you can see a slight movement in a front to back manner. I was expecting that i would not be able to rock the car from front to back at all.

Again posts aren't moving at all.

 

[gokussx4]

I'm an absolute maxjax enthusiast! but I don't know everything ther is to know, but can use common sense to rule out if you're in danger? I generally take a vehicle up a few inches off of the ground, then push adequately yo make sure the car is stabile, then recheck the pads the car is sitting on, and make sure the locks on each supporting arm is locked into its groove!

However,
Are you concerned that the columns themselves are moving(bad), or the cradles are moving a tad(I'd think a little "give" is normal. I use tall jack stands to stabilize my vehicles, not shown in this photo. If you're concerned about your anchors, then I'd unbolt the columns, then check each of my anchors! Epoxy or mechanical anchors? Need more info. I generally keep magnetic levels on my columns to see at a glance if something is not quite right.
Dne'

[/QUO


When you take it up a few inches and push on the nose does it not move at all or do you get some kind of movement?

 

[gokussx4]

I don't think it should do that, gokussx4. Why not ask MaxJax?

Andy

Trying to get ahold of them but they haven't returned my call yet so thought I would get what the public is seeing. Maybe I should take a video and post a link here for review?

 

[Denee007]

Even with confidence that my columns are securely bolted down, and my supporting arms are placed sure footed on the frame of my car, I can still cause movementment pushing down on the nose of whatever car I have on my MJ.

I think it's just a matter of physics here, leverage? But pushing down on the nose of the car, or trunk even lightly will produce movement somewhere, it will not be rock solid, I don't think you want it to be rock solid.
This 72 impala, or dinosaur, I would be able to easily produce movement maybe as your talking about.
I believe that you are happy with your anchors being solid, the bolts torqued, the supporting arms and locks secure, then logically all should be ok. The only other thing that I can fathom may be the support arm pins not being all the way in? Like one wasn't pushed all the way in? You know?

 

[torquepower85]

The posts themselves are rock solid. If I push down on the nose of the car you can see a slight movement in a front to back manner. I was expecting that i would not be able to rock the car from front to back at all.

Again posts aren't moving at all.

Back to what Denee said.

That seems normal. Even though it's steel it still has some flex. With a mm of space here and a mm of space there and a 4000 lb car on it, it'll move a bit when you push on the nose or the tail

See:

skip to 1:40

It's nothing I'd worry about, but definitely worth a call to the manufacturer to be sure.

 

[Denee007]

One thing just popped in my head. I spoke with MJ tech about the columns, they are made from a flex steel, they do give a little, theyre made that way. Ok thats all ; )

 

[gokussx4]

Even with confidence that my columns are securely bolted down, and my supporting arms are placed sure footed on the frame of my car, I can still cause movementment pushing down on the nose of whatever car I have on my MJ.

I think it's just a matter of physics here, leverage? But pushing down on the nose of the car, or trunk even lightly will produce movement somewhere, it will not be rock solid, I don't think you want it to be rock solid.
This 72 impala, or dinosaur, I would be able to easily produce movement maybe as your talking about.
I believe that you are happy with your anchors being solid, the bolts torqued, the supporting arms and locks secure, then logically all should be ok. The only other thing that I can fathom may be the support arm pins not being all the way in? Like one wasn't pushed all the way in? You know?

That was what I was suspecting but the only other lift I have ever operated was one that was much more heavy duty to handle any vehicle that would roll into a gm service shop.

The anchors are at 100ft lbs and I have done several tests to make sure they have not moved up or lost torque with the load at full lift. The arms are level front to back and side to side at full height so I feel confident there. Pins are secure and have locking rings in place.

I think I am not comparing properly to the old lift which could handle probably 3 times the weight this could.

My guess on a 2000 fbody is that the center of gravity would be in line with where the top of the windshield begins so just above the steering wheel. Could my estimate of center of gravity be off? What methods do you use to determine true center of gravity? Thanks!

 

[gokussx4]

Back to what Denee said.

That seems normal. Even though it's steel it still has some flex. With a mm of space here and a mm of space there and a 4000 lb car on it, it'll move a bit when you push on the nose or the tail

See:

skip to 1:40

It's nothing I'd worry about, but definitely worth a call to the manufacturer to be sure.

Thank you very much! I suspected as much but better to be cautious than dead

 

[gokussx4]

Back to what Denee said.

That seems normal. Even though it's steel it still has some flex. With a mm of space here and a mm of space there and a 4000 lb car on it, it'll move a bit when you push on the nose or the tail

See:

skip to 1:40

It's nothing I'd worry about, but definitely worth a call to the manufacturer to be sure.

BTW This is exactly the rock I was speaking of and now I feel stupid because I saw this video before I bought MaxJax so I should have remembered that. Again thanks for the info!

 

[Denee007]

Center of gravity, good point! I cal it guesstimating! You can usually tell after going up that a vehicle is "centered" on the lift, just trial n error, I usually get it right the first time for some reason.
How long have you had your lift? I think with any lift, all common sense approach has to be subconsciously applied,and safety is of utmost importance. Id hate for my husband to come home someday, and a car be on top of me! No pun intended; )

 

[gokussx4]

Center of gravity, good point! I cal it guesstimating! You can usually tell after going up that a vehicle is "centered" on the lift, just trial n error, I usually get it right the first time for some reason.
How long have you had your lift? I think with any lift, all common sense approach has to be subconsciously applied,and safety is of utmost importance. Id hate for my husband to come home someday, and a car be on top of me! No pun intended; )

You crack me up! lol

Agreed common sense requires some working knowledge in this case. To me I can shift the load on the nose and it matches the video of the Porsche max jax demo. So that seems good to me.

This is my very first lift that I have owned and it has been 10 years since I used one the last time so the memory is a little dusty

 

[Denee007]

; ) a little humor is fun; )
I would tend think a little paranoia keeps us safe, to some degree!
I work much of the time with garage door closed, and if something bad were to happen, I don't think my neighbors would hear a terrific noise, and though I keep my cell phone handy, it would be the time I don't have it nearby to call for help.

I have a couple ideas to make my MJ safer, havent gotten around to those ideas yet Others would say more than likely if it's not safe the way it is, then there was something I may have done wrong. How many of us buy things, only to "modify" it , whatever it may be, the MJ is no exception when having 3-6k pounds above our head! In the meantime, this short tall jack stand is a less expensive way to provide a safer work area. If you have an MJ, you should have at least two of these and use them!! I feel considerably safe with these strategically in place. Regguy brought these to my attention a while back.
Btw, this site has to be the MJ information Capitol of the world, do searches and you will find experience and knowledge; )

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/2-Ton-Tripod-Stand-SHORT

 

[gokussx4]

; ) a little humor is fun; )
I would tend think a little paranoia keeps us safe, to some degree!
I work much of the time with garage door closed, and if something bad were to happen, I don't think my neighbors would hear a terrific noise, and though I keep my cell phone handy, it would be the time I don't have it nearby to call for help.

I have a couple ideas to make my MJ safer, havent gotten around to those ideas yet Others would say more than likely if it's not safe the way it is, then there was something I may have done wrong. How many of us buy things, only to "modify" it , whatever it may be, the MJ is no exception when having 3-6k pounds above our head! In the meantime, this short tall jack stand is a less expensive way to provide a safer work area. If you have an MJ, you should have at least two of these and use them!! I feel considerably safe with these strategically in place. Regguy brought these to my attention a while back.
Btw, this site has to be the MJ information Capitol of the world, do searches and you will find experience and knowledge; )

http://www.gregsmithequipment.com/2-Ton-Tripod-Stand-SHORT

I was reading about having these on hand in other posts. Great suggestion and its definitely in my shopping cart

 

[UPSHIFT]

Been a while since I used a professional lift in a shop but I don't remember it being able to rock when you push on it. It is very subtle though, you have to look for it to notice.

I know the instructions say don't rock the vehicle so maybe that should be indication that it will.

Anyone else experience the same thing? I would really enjoy hearing others experiences.

Hello gokussx4,

It is normal for the car to rock when on the lift arms, the best thing to do is get the arms set as far apart as possible to create a better center of gravity. Most people will lift the car 1' off the ground and give her a little shake to assure the car is stable. Also be sure the arm restraint gears are engaged and it will be fine. If you are removing heavy items from the vehicle you would want to use jack stands to assure the car stays stable on the lift arms. Hope this helps..

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

 

[olytdi]

The car will move very slightly when elevated. The columns will not "move" but will bend significantly. Put a car on your MJ and then put a 4 ft level on the column...impressive!

I use garage supply jacks fore and aft once up and secured on the safety bars. That way, there are 6 lift points and the vehicle is secured on two jacks and the preventer bars. Pretty darn hurkin.

BTW, I've found that the way to determine whether or not you've got the vehicle properly positioned fore and aft is to observe whether or not the front and back of the vehicle lift simultaneously (I know...duh, right?). I was lifting with too much weight favored rearward on one vehicle and it was apparent because the front would start to lift before the rear (taking into consideraton when front pads engage vs rear pad engagement). Bottom line is if it's on the pads well, lifts evenly fore/aft, is sitting on the safety bars and is secured with jackstands fore and aft, there is a lot of overkill there.

 

[gokussx4]

The car will move very slightly when elevated. The columns will not "move" but will bend significantly. Put a car on your MJ and then put a 4 ft level on the column...impressive!

I use garage supply jacks fore and aft once up and secured on the safety bars. That way, there are 6 lift points and the vehicle is secured on two jacks and the preventer bars. Pretty darn hurkin.

BTW, I've found that the way to determine whether or not you've got the vehicle properly positioned fore and aft is to observe whether or not the front and back of the vehicle lift simultaneously (I know...duh, right?). I was lifting with too much weight favored rearward on one vehicle and it was apparent because the front would start to lift before the rear (taking into consideraton when front pads engage vs rear pad engagement). Bottom line is if it's on the pads well, lifts evenly fore/aft, is sitting on the safety bars and is secured with jackstands fore and aft, there is a lot of overkill there.

Makes sense! I am definitely going to see which goes up first. I am going to HF tomorrow to get 2 underhoist jack stands to help stabilize the back to front movement.

Excellent suggestions and thank you for your experience.

 

[gokussx4]

Hello gokussx4,

It is normal for the car to rock when on the lift arms, the best thing to do is get the arms set as far apart as possible to create a better center of gravity. Most people will lift the car 1' off the ground and give her a little shake to assure the car is stable. Also be sure the arm restraint gears are engaged and it will be fine. If you are removing heavy items from the vehicle you would want to use jack stands to assure the car stays stable on the lift arms. Hope this helps..

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

Always good to get an official on the subject