Backyard Imports
Well-known member
I thought I would share my weekend project.
The backstory... I bought this lift used for $150 (yes, $150!) from a truck shop. It was already down when I picked it up so I wasn't able to test it at all. I just figured that, for the price, I couldn't go wrong. I asked one of the techs what the quirks were on it and he told me that it would sometimes "chatter" when lifting and letting down larger trucks so I would need to make sure to keep things lubed up well. When I got it home I inspected the lift arms, welds, and drive chain to make sure there were no cracks or breaks. I didn't find anything at all so I went ahead and installed it. The lift worked just fine except for a sticky lock which was easily cleaned and made functional. Score!!
The first several cars were 3000lbs or less and everything went perfectly. No issues at all. Then I tried to lift an 8k truck. It was interesting to see the right side go up around 6" while the left wheels were still on the ground. Then the whole thing started moving upward with, what I call, a serious gangster lean. So I let it down and started inspecting. Turns out i missed a BIG problem. The trolley wheels are steel with "oil impregnated bronze" bushings. These bushing had long since failed on the left side causing one of the lowers to have the center section completely hogged out and the other lower to seize and just drag instead of roll (see pics).
On to the repair.
The lift is an overheight and overwidth setup for trucks and vans (this is why I wanted it). There is a top section, of about 4', that bolts onto the main posts. I setup some boards and a beam, rigged a chain and ****** block, and used the winch off of my truck to lift it off. The moved the chain and block over and pulled the trolley up and out of the top of the post. Everything is pretty light weight so it was very easy to do. The whole top section might weight 200lbs total. The trolley without the lift arms was maybe 125lbs.
With the trolley on a bench I removed the damaged wheels. I found that not only were the wheels trashed but also the posts that they mount on. These posts are welded onto the frame and are not "serviceable". So I cut them off and made new ones on my mini lathe. (Note: This is the first actual project I have done on any lathe. My machining experience is limited to brake lathes and valve jobs.)
I did decide that the original wheel design sucked. Completely inaccessible with no way to lube the bushings (I know that they are not meant to be). So I found a sealed bearing that was almost the exact size (2mm narrower) to replace them. Luckily my neighbor works at a bearing place and I was able to get them for $40 each rather than the retail price of $130. Mind you, the stock replacements run close to $200 each so this was a great deal for what, I think, is a much better setup.
Anyway, I welder the fabbed posts into place, installed the bearings, reinstalled the trolley and top half, and all is great. I left the right side alone for now. For whatever reason, the wheels on that side are in great shape. I think it has something to do with it being the "driven" side and the weight distribution being different because of the cylinder pushing upwards in the center vs. the other side being pulled by a chain with an attachment point not being centrally located.
Sorry about the pics. I don't know why the turned after being uploaded.
The backstory... I bought this lift used for $150 (yes, $150!) from a truck shop. It was already down when I picked it up so I wasn't able to test it at all. I just figured that, for the price, I couldn't go wrong. I asked one of the techs what the quirks were on it and he told me that it would sometimes "chatter" when lifting and letting down larger trucks so I would need to make sure to keep things lubed up well. When I got it home I inspected the lift arms, welds, and drive chain to make sure there were no cracks or breaks. I didn't find anything at all so I went ahead and installed it. The lift worked just fine except for a sticky lock which was easily cleaned and made functional. Score!!
The first several cars were 3000lbs or less and everything went perfectly. No issues at all. Then I tried to lift an 8k truck. It was interesting to see the right side go up around 6" while the left wheels were still on the ground. Then the whole thing started moving upward with, what I call, a serious gangster lean. So I let it down and started inspecting. Turns out i missed a BIG problem. The trolley wheels are steel with "oil impregnated bronze" bushings. These bushing had long since failed on the left side causing one of the lowers to have the center section completely hogged out and the other lower to seize and just drag instead of roll (see pics).
On to the repair.
The lift is an overheight and overwidth setup for trucks and vans (this is why I wanted it). There is a top section, of about 4', that bolts onto the main posts. I setup some boards and a beam, rigged a chain and ****** block, and used the winch off of my truck to lift it off. The moved the chain and block over and pulled the trolley up and out of the top of the post. Everything is pretty light weight so it was very easy to do. The whole top section might weight 200lbs total. The trolley without the lift arms was maybe 125lbs.
With the trolley on a bench I removed the damaged wheels. I found that not only were the wheels trashed but also the posts that they mount on. These posts are welded onto the frame and are not "serviceable". So I cut them off and made new ones on my mini lathe. (Note: This is the first actual project I have done on any lathe. My machining experience is limited to brake lathes and valve jobs.)
I did decide that the original wheel design sucked. Completely inaccessible with no way to lube the bushings (I know that they are not meant to be). So I found a sealed bearing that was almost the exact size (2mm narrower) to replace them. Luckily my neighbor works at a bearing place and I was able to get them for $40 each rather than the retail price of $130. Mind you, the stock replacements run close to $200 each so this was a great deal for what, I think, is a much better setup.
Anyway, I welder the fabbed posts into place, installed the bearings, reinstalled the trolley and top half, and all is great. I left the right side alone for now. For whatever reason, the wheels on that side are in great shape. I think it has something to do with it being the "driven" side and the weight distribution being different because of the cylinder pushing upwards in the center vs. the other side being pulled by a chain with an attachment point not being centrally located.
Sorry about the pics. I don't know why the turned after being uploaded.
