Problem with Bendpak HD-9 lift

[jdub63]

This weekend I noticed that my lift is not going all the way down It has been installed for at least 6 months and it's been working fine until now. Because of the holiday weekend, I haven't tried to call Bendpak yet, I thought some of you might have experienced a similar problem.

I don't think it would be a low fluid problem on the down side, but...

It seems like something is stopping the ram from fully extending, but it works fine all the way down until the last couple of inches.

I checked all the cables and they're all routed and working correctly. Each has the minimum of 1 inch thread on top.

Any ideas would be appreciated....

thanks,

Jdub

 

[brownbagg]

its proberly that socket you drop and lost

 

[jfitz]

Aside from your little problem, how do you like your lift, and what model is it?

 

[jdub63]

It's a HD-9 four post... love it.

 

[Cryptic1911]

Ours does the same thing, but I haven't really worried about it. Has no other issues

 

[HD_Softy]

I had the same problem with my Bendpak two-post lift doing the same thing. Turned out the hydraulic hose that goes down the inside of the post was turning so that the elbow was wedging itself between the base and the arm. The little tab that was holding the hose broke off so I had to make something to keep the elbow from moving. Hope this helps.

 

[darkk]

Have you tried loosening the adjustment on the cable to let it go farther down?

 

[4advtr]

I have the same lift and love it. I would assume that at one time it would go all the way down? Or is this the first time you've noticed it's not going down all the way and can't verify that it ever has? If the latter try loosening the cables as the previous poster mentioned.

 

[jdub63]

The cables have already been loosened until the minimum 1" thread length.

The only reason I noticed it, was the alum ramps bent because they weren't completely seated on the ground. So I know it just started.

Today I'll get a fully retracted and extended measurement...

thanks for the comments/ideas....

jdub

 

[jdub63]

So the actuator travel is 70 inches (full up to full down). Does anyone know the spec for the travel?

The book suggest that the power fitting might be interfering with the extension of the cylinder. I wonder how big a mess that will make changing it?

jdub

 

[johnnymustang]

Is the floor level left to right. I think you will find on side is all the way to the floor and that stops the other from going to the floor.

 

[jdub63]

The floor is level, all four corners are suspended by the cables and equal distance from the floor.

 

[ovilla]

Try bleeding the hydraulic lines.
- As you push the button, causing the lift to go up, go ahead and also pull down on the lever (like you are lowering a car on the lift). Do this several times to bleed air out of the system, then lower the lift again and see if it goes lower than before.

Do you have enough ATF or hydraulic fluid in the fluid reservoir?
- Lower it all the way down and then open the cap to the fluid reservoir. Shine a light in there or get a coat hanger or small piece of pipe so you can measure the fluid level. If your're not getting at least a one inch reading, then add a little more fluid. Otherwise, the pump is simply running and pushing air in the last inch or so of the cylinders extended stroke. The fluid could also possibly be contaminated and have a high level of water, due to condensation. Raise your lift all the way to the top and then siphon out and change the fluid and see if that helps too.

Best of luck to you and please let us know what finally fixed the issue. I have an HD-9 as well (and so do a lot of other forum members on here).

 

[danieldolin]

about to order my HD9-ST... just wanted to subscribe to get the result of the above suggestions.

 

[darkk]

I'm surprised you haven't contacted Bend Pak yet. I'm sure they've seen just about every issue possible and probably have a solution for you.

 

[99SVT]

I distinctly remember the instruction saying that the crossbar was to be an inch off the floor, so seems to me, that yours looks to be correct.

I set mine up with the inch clearance.

Now, when I park my dually on it, the clearance goes away.

 

[jdub63]

I discussed with Bendpak technical service earlier in the week. The ram travel is spot on, so the only area for adjustment was using the cables. I loosened them until 1/4" of the threads were showing. Seemed to resolve the problem.

ovilla, the ram extends without pressure so the fluid pressure is only needed to retract, so bleeding the system is done at full height of the lift (ram fully retracted). My problem was with the lift all the way down. Sorta backwards from most hydraulic ops.

99SVT, I reviewed the installation manual (rev E) again, and couldn't find any reference to the crossbar height, just the ladder. If you could provide page or para that would be appreciated.

Bottom-line; everything is sorted and the alum ramp don't deflect as much.

Happy customer

 

[danieldolin]

glad to hear it was all resolved. I orderd my HD-9ST on Friday and should be installed in a few weeks. Quick question for you... Do you have any problem with your lift "sliding" away from you when you first go to pull onto the lift given your smooth epoxy flooring? Just curious b/c I may be in the same boat and am looking for solutions if this starts occurring.

 

[James E]

danieldolin, the lift is a heavy MF'er and I think to move it, you'd have to hit it awfully hard and fast--like drunkenly hard and fast. So fast that you'd wind up going through your back wall anyways and moving the lift would be the least of your worries.

Either way, that sucker ain't moving. Wait until you get your lift, it'll all become clear.

I've had pretty big trucks on and off my HD-9 and it hasn't moved a millimeter (mine is not bolted down).

Glad that the OP has his issue settled!

 

[Cryptic1911]

with a rwd car, you won't have to worry about it.. with a fwd car, if you let the clutch out too fast, it may move. I did it with mine, but it was on smooth concrete, I was going uphill to get into the driveway, and I have a race clutch. It moved about a foot.. I'm more careful with it now, and get a good start, and feather the clutch so it doesnt grab too quickly

 

[jdub63]

I haven't had a problem with slippage, however, I did use Dolfan's idea of using gasket material on the bottom of the post.

Here's his install page... http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=121855