Ordered MaxJax

[Radman]

Was considering QuickJacks and then stumbled upon the MaxJax. Seems some improvements have been made. Drilled some test holes in the garage(that thrilled the wife) and seem good to go there, if barely in some places.

So, the MaxJax is now in my city and I'm waiting for a call to schedule the delivery.

We have a 3 car garage with one bay being 2 deep. I had hoped to setup the lift in the "3rd" bay, the deep one, but have a crack running right in the area that I'd place one of the posts. So, I'll be moving it to the bay in front of it. Hope is to be able to park in the other side bay with the posts installed.

From reading, it seems even if you go with the regular anchors, there is significant benefit to using anchoring epoxy, so I plan on going that route.

Wish me luck!

 

[MikeC55]

Good luck! I have a MaxJax that I installed around 5 years ago with epoxy anchors and have never had any issues (torque checks have revealed no loosening). My slab was only 3" thick so I had to cut out a section (across full bay width) x 4' x 12" thick w/ rebar. I remember the epoxy anchors being 5.5 - 6" long and so if you use them with a thinner slab, you need to address having the epoxy get pushed out the bottom of the hole. There are threads here on that wrinkle you can search up.

 

[Radman]

Thanks. I look to have 4-5 inch so I plan on using the standard anchors along with epoxy. What I’m unsure of, among many other things LOL, is what kind of grease to protect the threads with and whether to pull up the anchor immediately after dropping it in or wait for the epoxy to cure a bit. I’ll be back with plenty of questions I’m sure.

 

[Kevkx125]

Will be following for sure as that is the lift I have been thinking about. Thanks for sharing !

 

[jtbinvalrico]

I think you should consider pouring some new footers to put it in the end of the long bay. The new footers would solve the crack problem and would assure you of a solid foundation for your lift.

Do it once, do it right, and put it where you want in that end bay.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[joey1320]

I would assume the slab with the crack is the same thickness/quality as the one in front of it where you plan on installing the lift. With that in mind, is the slab not up to par even though it does/t have a crack going through it?

If I was in your position, for peace of mind, I would cut out the slab and pour new concrete under the lift, tied in to the old lift via rebar.

 

[Radman]

The crack is the only one in the concrete and is along a wall of the house. IMO, it's from the house settling. I'll poor new concrete back there some day and move the lift back there, but there are a lot of other things I'd need to move around to make it work there as well. There's no rush to get it back there.

Like I said, the test holes I drilled varied from 4-5". I'm not worried about the overall quality of the concrete because of one, very small width, crack. I'm not sure the width is even 1/16th of an inch. When I drill the holes for the anchors I would stop and repour if those holes measure under 4". But I don't see the need to do it if it falls within the suggested parameters of the manufacturer. This will allow me to set the posts a little wider in the front bay, and eventually narrower in the back bay.

Not even 100% positive I'll ever do the back bay just because it would be a very tight fit. I'd probably only use to work on a long term project for my Boxster.

 

[Imatk]

Congrats man. I've had mine for around 6 months or so I guess? I actually had the QuickJack already and I kept it for a while thinking I could use it as well if I had something on the lift.

You get spoiled VERY quickly. I never wound up using the QuickJack because I just don't want to be on my back anymore

I used the regular anchors that come with it. My only issue is two of the anchors pulled up more than the others on assembly so I have a couple anchor "bumps" in my garage but it's not really a big deal.

I haven't used any grease in the anchors, I'm not sure you should so you might want to check with Bendpak on that one.

I have to install the outer column every time I use the lift since I only have a two-car garage so I've done A LOT of bolting and unbolting.

It is kind of a pain to do but not as much of a pain as laying on your back heh.

So if you can install it and leave it, that's really the best option.

 

[Radman]

Congrats man. I've had mine for around 6 months or so I guess? I actually had the QuickJack already and I kept it for a while thinking I could use it as well if I had something on the lift.

You get spoiled VERY quickly. I never wound up using the QuickJack because I just don't want to be on my back anymore

I used the regular anchors that come with it. My only issue is two of the anchors pulled up more than the others on assembly so I have a couple anchor "bumps" in my garage but it's not really a big deal.

I haven't used any grease in the anchors, I'm not sure you should so you might want to check with Bendpak on that one.

I have to install the outer column every time I use the lift since I only have a two-car garage so I've done A LOT of bolting and unbolting.

It is kind of a pain to do but not as much of a pain as laying on your back heh.

So if you can install it and leave it, that's really the best option.

Regarding the "bumps", from researching it seems you can just grind the top of them off. May want to check with Bendpak or research some to confirm.

The grease would be use to keep the epoxy from fouling the internal threads when using the standard anchors with some epoxy to help seal the anchor in the hole. I'm assuming some marine grease would work, but we all know what they say about assumptions.

If I left the inside post in place I'd piss off both my wife and my mother-in-law lol! So that is not going to happen. These garages were not built very wide. Unfortunately a stock house builder so no ability to change it pre-purchase.

 

[Imatk]

Yeah I sent them a message, one of the things I've noticed is the washers have become deformed over time as well. I think it's because of the two anchors that are raised, so I asked if those needed to be replaced regularly as well.

I hear ya... for me I couldn't park another car in my garage leaving the post in place so it's not even a possibility.

 

[Radman]

Got the call today, delivery will be tomorrow. Should have everything I need in the next day or two.

 

[Radman]

Got the cart/pump put together and as well as the columns. Should be able to the holes drilled, cleaned, epoxied, and anchors set tonight. So hopefully a test lift tomorrow! The sacrificial car will be my Crosstrek lol! This should be a game changer for me.

 

[MikeC55]

It is exciting making that first lift. Have you marked the floor so you know where to put the car to lift at the CG (center of gravity)? The idea is to balance the load on the arms.

 

[Radman]

It is exciting making that first lift. Have you marked the floor so you know where to put the car to lift at the CG (center of gravity)? The idea is to balance the load on the arms.

Not yet. I did test fit all three cars and they should all work.

Ended up having one spinner. We were trying to work fast since I was using epoxy as well and it set while I was torqueing and preparing the anchor. Was able to drill out the epoxy and, even using it again, it didn't bite. Inquiring with bendpak to see if I can get a single epoxy anchor to replace it.

On the bright side, my concrete was at least 5" thick and 6-10" in most places.

We still set up as much as we could and at least raised it and bled the air out.

 

[Jagmandave]

You're gonna love it!

 

[Radman]

You're gonna love it!

For sure man! We had it raised about 30" of the floor and stopped to bleed air out. When I said "Let's raise it all the way up" my son said "You mean it goes higher?" lol! He loved it. We'll never want to use jack stands again.

 

[MikeC55]

You said it! I wish I had done it years before...

 

[Radman]

Bonus! Was able to get the useless anchor out today. Well, half of it. The other half got buried. Epoxy anchor is saying it'll arrive on Saturday. So might be lifting on Sunday.